General Requirements for Zinc and Zinc Alloy Products

B949-13: Standard Specification for General Requirements for Zinc and Zinc Alloy Products

Ensure the integrity and performance of your zinc and zinc alloy components with ASTM B949-13, the essential standard for general requirements. This authoritative specification provides a foundational framework for procuring, marking, and sampling these critical materials, ensuring consistency and reliability across a wide range of applications. For engineers and designers, understanding B949-13 is key to specifying materials that meet stringent performance criteria and industry expectations.

What is B949-13?

ASTM B949-13, "Standard Specification for General Requirements for Zinc and Zinc Alloy Products," originates from ASTM International's commitment to advancing materials science and engineering. This comprehensive standard establishes overarching requirements that apply to various zinc and zinc alloy products, unless explicitly superseded by a specific product standard. Its primary purpose is to streamline the ordering process and ensure consistent quality for common aspects of zinc product procurement.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the general requirements for ordering, marking, and sampling of zinc and zinc alloy products. It applies when referenced by individual product specifications for materials such as zinc ingots, slabs, castings, and other forms. While B949-13 provides a robust framework, it explicitly states that specific chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and other detailed requirements are defined in the respective product specifications. It does not, however, cover the detailed performance or application-specific criteria of individual zinc alloy products.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Metallurgists, Quality Control Inspectors, Purchasing Agents, and Production Managers involved in the procurement and use of zinc and zinc alloy products.
• • Industries affected: Automotive, Aerospace, Construction, Electronics, Metal Fabrication, and General Manufacturing sectors.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, but often contractually mandated by customers or specified in project requirements.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through supplier certifications, quality audits, and material testing, often initiated by the customer or a designated third party.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires that when ordering zinc and zinc alloy products, specific information must be provided, including the ASTM designation (with the latest year of issue), quantity, alloy designation, and any specific size requirements. Professionals must ensure that all applicable product specifications are clearly referenced, and any deviations from standard requirements are agreed upon in writing between the customer and supplier. Key provisions include guidelines for marking products for identification and clear procedures for sampling materials for chemical analysis to verify conformance to specified compositions. Furthermore, the standard emphasizes the manufacturer's responsibility for ensuring material quality through documented analysis.

Related Standards & References

ASTM B949-13 works in concert with a suite of specific ASTM product specifications for various zinc and zinc alloy materials, such as Specification B6 for Zinc, Specification B86 for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloy Foundry and Die Castings, and Specification B240 for Zinc and Zinc-Aluminum Alloys in Ingot Form. These complementary standards detail the specific chemical compositions, mechanical properties, and physical characteristics that individual zinc products must meet, while B949-13 provides the overarching procedural framework for their procurement and verification.