Previous Issue: 22 December 2008 Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013
Page 1 of 6 Primary contact: Mohammed A. Al-Anezi on 966-3-8760229
12-SAMSS-005
7 May 2011
Marking of Metal Products
Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee
Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards
Table of Contents1 Scope... 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations... 2
3 References... 2
4 General... 3
5 Marking Terms... 3
6 Marking Requirements and Applications….... 3
Figure 1 – Tag Location on Various Shipping Units... 6
1 Scope
This specification covers the requirements for minimum identification marking of metal products. These marks are in addition to other marking requirements that may be specified in the purchase order or in separate shipping instructions.
2 Conflicts and Deviations
2.1 Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs), Standard Drawings (SASDs) or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager, Conculting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.
3 References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
3.1 Saudi Aramco References
Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement
3.2 Industry Codes and Standards
ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials BSI - British Standards Institution
DIN - Deutsches Institut Fur Normung
EN - European Committee for Standardization (CEN) ISO - International Organization for Standardization JIS - Japanese Industrial Standard
4 General
4.1 Objective
Since the use of metals other than those specified for any given application may lead to rapid failure, resulting in a hazard to both life and property, it is essential that the risk of incorrect identification of the metals be reduced to a minimum by marking in accordance with this specification.
4.2 General Requirement
Metal products ordered to ASTM or equivalent other specification shall, as a minimum, be marked in accordance with such specification and, in addition, as further specified below.
4.3 Specification References
Reference is made in this specification to standards mentioned in paragraph 3.2.
5 Marking Terms
5.1 Vendor's Name or Trade Mark
The vendor's name or registered trade mark used shall be that of the
manufacturer who performs the final processing or finishing operation prior to marketing the product.
5.2 Commercial Designation
5.2.1 The commercial designation shall include a designator of material type, grade and a designator of physical conditions, temper and/or quality. 5.2.2 The material designations shall include the applicable ASTM, AISI,
DIN, JIS, ISO, BSI or EN specification numbers or numbers of equivalent specifications.
6 Marking Requirements and Applications
6.1 Marking Methods and Legibility
6.1.1 Markings on metal products shall be legible and sufficient to resist effacement by contact incidental to normal handling, shipment and storage. Quick drying, waterproof ink, paint, other suitable marking substances or electrochemical marking may be used. Stamping is permitted on carbon steel products except ground bars.
6.1.2 When tags are used they shall be made of a durable non-corroding material with markings that remain legible after prolonged outdoor storage. Stamping is the preferred method for marking on metal tags. 6.2 Deleterious Effect
Marking on metal products shall be placed in a manner which will not affect the usefulness of the product.
6.3 Marking Frequency
The following requirements for frequency of metal identification marking consider handling, packaging, and the likelihood of identification problems when metal products are cut in the storehouse or at the construction site. Minimum marking frequencies are given in the following paragraphs.
6.3.1 Mild carbon steel plate shall be marked at one location on each piece as shown in Figure 1. High-strength low-alloy steel plate shall be marked on one place on each piece. Alloy and stainless steel plates, and
nonferrous plates shall be marked in rows of recurring marks at intervals not greater than 1 m on one face of each plate.
6.3.2 Coated and uncoated mild carbon steel sheet and strip, shall be marked at one location on the top piece of each lift or shipping unit. Alloy steel and stainless steel sheet, and strip and non-ferrous sheet metals shall be marked at each corner of one face of each piece or in rows of recurring marks at intervals not greater than 1 m on one face of each piece. 6.3.3 Alloy steel, stainless steel and non-ferrous bar, tube stock and keystock
shall be marked at intervals not greater than 1 m throughout the length of each bar.
6.3.4 Bundled carbon steel bars and shapes shall be marked with two tags firmly attached to each end of the bundle as shown in Figure 1 of this specification.
6.3.5 Carbon steel bars and shapes that are not bundled shall be marked at one end of each bar.
6.3.6 Castings shall be marked in at least one location on each piece; such markings may be cast in place.
6.3.7 Single and slit coils, and sheets in banded shipping units shall be tagged as shown in Figure 1 of this specification.
Revision Summary
22 December 2008 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued with editorial changes.