While ASTM’s standards are voluntary, they are frequently incorporated into laws and regulations, building codes, and international trade agreements — making them obligatory for many businesses. Many products and contracts will even reference ASTM standards, making them contractually binding requirements.
Recently, the marketplace for ASTM standards has shifted significantly, moving away from legacy distributors toward more integrated, digital-first platforms. Nimonik is one of the few platforms that offers direct access to ASTM standards, without requiring users to jump to ASTM Compass. As a result, it’s helpful to understand how to read the document designations and quickly navigate through your library.
This guide breaks down the anatomy of an ASTM designation and the critical components of the standards themselves.
Decoding the ASTM Designation
Every ASTM standard is identified by a unique alphanumeric string. This designation is a mandatory title of each standard. At first glance, it looks like a random serial code, but every character provides specific information about the material and its history.
Take, for example, the designation ASTM A106/A106M-19a (2024):
| Component | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | Classification | Defines the broad material category or application of this standard. |
| 106 | Reference Number | A sequentially assigned number that identifies the specific standard. |
| M | Metric Suffix | Indicates the standard follows the International System of Units/metric system. If absent, the standard uses the imperial system. |
| 19 | Year of Issue | The year the standard was last adopted or significantly revised (2019). |
| a | Revision Letter | Indicates a subsequent revision within the same year. "a" is the first revision. |
| (2024) | Reapproval Year | The year the technical committee reviewed and reapproved the standard without technical changes. |
The Letter Prefix Classification
The first letter of each standard designation helps categorize the standard into a broad industry group.
- A: Ferrous Metals (Steel, Cast Iron, etc.)
- B: Nonferrous Metals (Aluminum, Copper, etc.)
- C: Cementitious, Ceramic, Concrete, and Masonry
- D: Miscellaneous Materials (Petroleum, Plastics, Rubber, Soil)
- E: Miscellaneous Subjects (Testing methods, Fire tests, Biohazards)
- F: Materials for Specific Applications (Medical devices, Fasteners, Sport equipment)
- G: Corrosion, Deterioration, and Degradation of Materials
Types of ASTM Standards
ASTM produces several different types of industry standards that fulfill different needs.
- Specifications: Precise requirements that a material or product must meet (ex: chemical composition or physical properties).
- Test Methods: Definitive procedures that produce a test result (ex: how to measure the tensile strength of steel).
- Practices: Instructions for performing specific operations that do not produce a test result (ex: how to clean a laboratory).
- Guides: A collection of information or a series of options; they do not recommend a specific course of action.
- Classifications: A systematic arrangement of materials or products into groups based on similar characteristics.
- Terminologies: Definitions of terms and explanations of symbols used in a specific industry.
How to Read an ASTM Standard Document
When you open an ASTM document on the Nimonik platform, you will find it organized along a standardized structure. To save time, look for the following key sections.
- Scope: Always read this first. It defines what the standard covers and, more importantly, what it doesn’t cover.
- Referenced Documents: A list of other standards cited within the text. Compliance with one often requires complying with these sub-standards.
- Terminology: Essential for avoiding legal or technical misinterpretation of industry-specific jargon.
- Ordering Information: An overview of what a buyer needs to specify when purchasing the material (e.g., quantity, size, and grade).
- Supplementary Requirements: Optional requirements that apply only when specified by the purchaser.
Nimonik — One Platform to Manage Your Requirements
Nimonik aggregates standards from 90+ publishers, including ASTM, as well as regulations across 600+ jurisdictions. As a result, Nimonik provides broad coverage and convenience, allowing teams to track and manage obligations in one easy location. If you need custom lists, complete with historical updates, and robust workflow tools, Nimonik is the ideal choice.
Your Industry Standards Solution Starts Here
Access, manage, and monitor the industry standards your operations rely on. Connect with an expert to streamline your standards management and ensure consistent, up-to-date access across your organization.
