A complete FEDSPEC number would be broken
B--Acid Bessemer, carbon steel
down as follows for the specification QQ-A-225c:
C--Basic open hearth carbon steel
QQ--Refers to a metal
CB--Either acid Bessemer or basic open
A--Refers to aluminum
hearth carbon steel at the option of the
manufacture
225--Is the assigned serial number
D--Acid open hearth carbon steel
c--Indicates the third revision to this
specification
E--Electric furnace alloy steel
A complete list of current FEDSPEC numbers can
Examples of the SAE and ASIS classification code
be found in the technical library of most repair
systems are as follows:
facilities.
1010, 4340, 5220 = SAE steels
MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS.--Military
C1090, E4340, E3320 = AISI steels
specifications (MILSPECs) are similar to FEDSPECs.
MILSPECs use similar symbols for their meanings.
4340 steel could be from either system.
The major difference is that MILSPECs were developed
specifically for the military.
Federal, Military, and ASTM
As in FEDSPECs, the symbol used to identify
Specification System
MILSPECs is divided into three parts. The MILSPEC,
MIL-S-16216, is broken down as follows:
A knowledge of ASE/AISI identification codes is
not enough to facilitate the selection of the materials
used in the Navy today. The use of federal, military, and
MIL--Refers to military specification
commercial specifications and the methods of
cross-referencing them to other standards is becoming
S--Identifies the material as metal plate
necessary to complete routine repairs and fabrication.
16217--Is the assigned number for HY-80
FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS.--Federal
specifications (FEDSPECs) are prepared for supplies
A complete list of current MILSPEC numbers can be
used by several departments and offices of the federal
found in the technical library of most repair facilities.
government. As HTs, the group of materials we are
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND
most concerned with are the "QQ" (metals), and "WW"
MATERIALS (ASTM).--The ASTM standards you
(pipe fittings, tubes, and tubing). You will find the
will be most concerned with are those that cover ferrous
FEDSPEC QQ used extensively in Navy sheet metal
and nonferrous metals. These standards, which were
shops to identify sheet metal, especially aluminum.
developed by a consensus of producers and consumers,
The FEDSPEC WW is used in the pipe shop to identify
are used widely by industry. Like federal or military
pipe fittings and pipe, but it is not as common as other
material designators. To properly identify FedSpecs,
specifications, the ASTM standard is a complete listing
of specifications that generally include mechanical
you must have an understanding of the specification
symbol used. The basic FEDSPEC symbol is divided
requirements, test procedures, dimensional tolerances,
into three basic parts:
MILSPEC and FEDSPEC, the symbol used to identify
the ASTM specification is divided into three parts. The
The group of materials to which the
ASTM symbol A579-67 is broken down as follows:
specification relates.
A--Identifies the general classification of the
The initial letter of the title materials.
materials. "A" denotes ferrous metals, and "B"
denotes nonferrous metals.
The serial number. If the serial number has
been revised, the revision will be designated by
579--Is the assigned serial number.
a lowercase letter.
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