ASTM International: Helping Our World Work Better

Understanding what ASTM International stands for, who they are, and the history of the organization.

ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) is a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. Founded in 1898, ASTM International is one of the world’s largest international standards organizations, with a membership of more than 30,000 technical experts from over 150 countries. The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of people around the world by providing access to technical standards that promote safety, quality, and environmental protection.

ASTM International is a non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors elected by its membership. The organization’s standards cover a wide range of topics, from materials and products to systems and services, and are developed through a collaborative process that involves industry experts, academics, government representatives, and other stakeholders.

ASTM International has a long history of promoting safety and quality through the development of standards. Over the years, the organization has played a key role in the development of many important standards, such as those related to the safety of consumer products, the quality of construction materials, and the environmental impact of industrial processes. Today, ASTM International standards are widely used in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation, and energy, among others.

Some key highlights from the history of ASTM International:

In 1898 seventy people meet in Philadelphia to form what would become ASTM, founded by Charles B. Dudley.
In 1901 the first standard – on steel rails was issued.
In the early years, ASTM focused primarily on standardizing railroad materials and construction practices.
ASTM played a significant role in the standardization of materials and procedures during both World War I and World War II.
In 1960, the organization changed its name to the American Society for Testing and Materials, which was later changed to ASTM International to reflect its global reach.
In 2001, ASTM launched its online standards portal, which provides convenient access to its extensive library of standards documents.
In 2023, ASTM International celebrates 125 years.

ASTM International’s history is storied and expansive. Scroll through ASTM’s interactive timeline, starting in 1898 up through today. Click here.

ASTM International celebrates 125 Years in 2023.

A letter from the ASTM International President: Katharine E. Morgan, President. Read more:

Learn more about how a standard is created. Click here:

Why is it important to understand what standards are and why they are so critical for industries such as aerospace, automotive, engineering and construction.

Understanding standards is important because they provide a framework for ensuring products and services meet certain requirements, specifications, and quality criteria. Standards help to ensure safety, reliability, and consistency of products, which is particularly important in industries such as aerospace, automotive, engineering, and construction. Here are some reasons why standards are critical:

Standards provide a common language for manufacturers, suppliers, and customers, facilitating communication and reducing misunderstandings.
Standards help to ensure that products are safe, reliable, and of good quality.
Standards can help to improve efficiency and reduce costs by streamlining processes and eliminating duplication of effort.
Standards can help to promote innovation by providing a basis for research and development.
ASTM International is a standards development organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of industries and applications. ASTM standards cover a broad range of topics, including materials, products, systems, and services.
ASTM International has over 12,000 active standards covering a wide range of industries and materials. These standards are developed and maintained by over 140 technical committees comprising more than 30,000 members from around the world.

[VIDEO] The Value of ASTM International Standards in Today’s Marketplace. Watch now:

In the case of fasteners, nuts, bolts, and screws, ASTM standards are used to ensure that these products meet certain specifications and quality criteria. For example, ASTM standards may specify the materials and manufacturing processes that must be used to produce fasteners, as well as the physical and mechanical properties that the fasteners must possess. Similarly, critical application fasteners, such as those used in aerospace or automotive applications, may be subject to even more stringent standards to ensure their reliability and safety. By adhering to ASTM standards, manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the necessary requirements and are fit for their intended use.

ASTM International has a specific group that directly relates to fasteners:

ASTM International has a committee specifically focused on fasteners and related hardware, called the ASTM F16 Committee on Fasteners. This committee develops and maintains standards for fasteners, including bolts, nuts, screws, washers, rivets, and other types of hardware. The standards cover a wide range of topics, including material specifications, mechanical properties, testing methods, coatings, and corrosion resistance. The standards developed by the F16 committee are used by manufacturers, distributors, and users of fasteners to ensure that products are made to consistent and reliable specifications.

F16 Committee: https://www.astm.org/get-involved/technical-committees/committee-f16

About Committee F16 on Fasteners

F16 meets twice a year, at May and November Committee Weeks, with approximately 50 members attending over three days of technical meetings. The Committee, with current membership of approximately 185, currently has jurisdiction of over 60 standards, published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 01.08. F16 standards consist of specifications, guides, practices and test methods for bolts, screws, nails, and other fasteners for industrial and government use.

Some recent noteworthy developments from ASTM International include:

In 2020, ASTM released a new standard for 3D printing of medical devices, which is expected to have significant implications for the healthcare industry.
ASTM has been actively involved in the development of standards related to sustainable building practices and materials, which is becoming an increasingly important area of focus for the construction industry.
The organization has also been working on standards related to the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which have a wide range of applications in industries such as agriculture, construction, and transportation.

The dedication and tireless efforts of ASTM’s 32,000+ international members impact the quality, safety, and productivity of more than 100+ industries. With more than 12,900 standards, ASTM improves the lives of millions worldwide: helping our world work better and helping us all live better.

ASTM International Resources:

Website: http://www.astm.org/

2023 ANNUAL BOOK OF ASTM STANDARDS

The 80+ volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards contains ASTM’s 12,800+ standards and is available in print and online formats. The volumes can be purchased individually, as a section (at a 25% discount) or as the complete 80+ volume set (at a 50% discount).

Online volume subscriptions (HTML and PDF) are accessed via the ASTM Compass® platform. Online volumes are updated weekly and include access to work items, historical, withdrawn, and redline versions as well as workflow tools like annotations, version comparisons, bookmarks and more.

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