1.1 This guide covers the identification of metals and alloys in computerized material property databases. It establishes essential and desirable data elements that serve to uniquely identify and describe a particular metal or alloy sample as well as properties that identify a given metal or alloy in general.

1.1.1 This guide does not necessarily provide sufficient data elements to describe weld metal, metal matrix composites, or joined metals.

1.1.2 The data element identified herein are not all germane to every metal or alloy group.

1.1.3 Different sets of data elements may also be applied within a given metal or alloy group depending on conditions or applications specific to that metal or alloy group. Further, within a particular metal or alloy group, different sets of data elements may be used to identify specific material conditions.

1.1.4 Table 1 on Recommended Data Elements and Tables 2-17 on values for specific data elements appear at the end of this guide.

1.2 Some of the data elements in this guide may be useful for other purposes. However, this guide does not attempt to document the essential and desirable data element for any purpose except for the identification of metals and alloys in computerized material property databases. Other purposes, such as material production, material procurement, and material processing, each may have different material data reporting requirements distinct from those covered in this guide. A specific example is the contractually required report for a material property testing series. Such a report may not contain all the data elements considered essential for a specific computerized database; conversely, this guide may not contain all the data elements considered essential for a contracted test report.