ASTM E527 Updated – UNS Numbering

ASTM E527, “Standard Practice for Numbering Metals and Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS),” has been updated.  The new 2016 Edition replaces the previous 2012 Edition, which is now obsolete.  This standard shows you how the UNS numbers for metals and alloys are assigned.  The UNS system is a commercial designation for metals and alloys arranged by “families.”  They are listed in the Metals and Alloys in the Unified Number System (Please see my previous blog on the last update to this co-numbered ASTM DS56 and SAE HS1086).

ASTM E527 is used to specify the families themselves and the number ranges available for each of them.  Different standards associations have the responsibility for actually handling the assignments.  So the Aluminum Association in Arlington VA handles all alluminum and alluminum alloy UNS numbers.  The Copper Development Association covers copper and copper alloys, and so on.

ASTM E527 also has a section on requesting number assignments themselves.  This is the process whereby commercially used metals and alloys are given UNS numbers.  There is a specific form to use and chemical composition may be required in the case of alloys.

So what could be revised in this new edition of the standard?  A whole new “family” has been added for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys!  Yes, the new UNS number series B00001 to B99999 has been added.  This has created changes in Clause 2.1 and in Tables 1 and 3.  And there are a couple of other editorial updates as well.

If you need to see exactly where each change to the ASTM E527 is, just ask us for the redline edition.  You’ll get 1 clean copy of the 2016 Edition and one “marked-up” copy of the previous 2012 Edition.  It’s easy to follow the corrections using the redline and the additional cost is minimal.

So how will you get your copy of this new Standard?  Go to the Document Center Inc. webstore at www.document-center.com and place your order online.  Here is a direct link to the order page for the ASTM E527 for your convenience.  Document Center Inc. is a long-time authorized distributor of the ASTM publications, so you can order with confidence from us.

ASTM standards can be purchased in paper format or for pdf download.  To request redlines or company-wide access, check in with our staff by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).  We also have a wide variety of products and services to support compliance documentation requirements.  Make us your Standards Experts!

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Claudia Bach

Claudia Bach is the President of Document Center Inc. and a world-wide recognized expert on Standards and Standards Distribution. You can connect with her on Google+

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