Identification Marking of Aluminum and Magnesium Products

B666/B666M-08: Standard Practice for Identification Marking of Aluminum and Magnesium Products

Ensuring the integrity and traceability of aluminum and magnesium products throughout the supply chain is paramount. ASTM's B666/B666M-08, Standard Practice for Identification Marking of Aluminum and Magnesium Products, provides an essential framework for achieving this critical objective, safeguarding quality and facilitating seamless integration into complex engineering projects.

What is B666/B666M-08?

This authoritative ASTM standard establishes definitive requirements for the physical marking of aluminum and magnesium products. Developed to ensure clear and consistent identification, its primary purpose is to facilitate traceability, inspection, and acceptance of these vital materials by specifying what information must be permanently affixed to the product itself or its accompanying tags.

Scope & Purpose

The scope of B666/B666M-08 is focused on the physical item marking of aluminum and magnesium products for identification. This includes specifying the mandatory information and application methods for wrought and cast forms. Crucially, it explicitly excludes package marking for shipment and general inspection acceptance criteria, directing users to relevant material specifications for those aspects.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Material Inspectors, Quality Control Technicians, Production Managers, Mill Operators, and Procurement Specialists involved in the manufacturing and procurement of aluminum and magnesium products.
• • Industries affected: Aluminum Manufacturing, Magnesium Manufacturing, Metal Production, Product Fabrication, Aerospace, Automotive, and any industry utilizing aluminum or magnesium alloys.
• • Compliance nature: While often specified in contracts and purchase orders, compliance is typically voluntary unless mandated by specific project requirements or customer specifications.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is generally verified by quality control personnel, inspectors, and during audits by customers or regulatory bodies where specified.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that aluminum and magnesium products, when specified, be marked with essential identification details. Key provisions include:

• • Company Identification: The name or registered trademark of the company performing the final processing operation before marketing.
• • Material Designation: The alloy and temper designation, adhering to established industry standards like ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M) for aluminum and MIL-STD-409 for magnesium.
• • Specification Reference: The basic number of the specification under which the product was manufactured.
• • Dimensional Information: Specified ordered dimensions relevant to the product form (e.g., thickness for sheet, diameter for wire).
• • Lot Number: Inclusion of the lot number for traceability.
• • Marking Durability: Markings must be permanent and resistant to obliteration through normal handling, exposure, shipment, and storage.
• • Application Method: Marking should not adversely affect material properties or introduce deleterious stresses, favoring methods like printing, stamping, or stenciling over impression stamping unless specifically permitted.

Related Standards & References

B666/B666M-08 often works in conjunction with other ASTM standards. For example, ASTM B881 provides essential terminology for aluminum and magnesium alloy products, ensuring a common understanding of terms used within B666/B666M-08. Furthermore, standards like ASTM B361 (Specification for