International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Metal Material Numbering System Introduction
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a global platform that develops and publishes International Standards. ISO sets out international, non-proprietary numerical codes on a variety of topics related to standardization. These codes are accepted, adopted and implemented around the world. One such example is ISO 4406, which provides a numerical system for the designation of industrial fluids, such as cutting oils, hydraulic fluids and the like, according to their basic characteristics.
ISO set out a system for the numbering and designation of metal materials. The metals used in the industry can be differentiated by their internal structure and chemical composition, which then determines their properties and performance in different processes. This ISO numerical system allows for easy identification and categorization of various materials, which makes them easier and more efficient to work with.
The ISO metal material number (ISO M-Number) consists of four components, which together form a unique, globally recognized code that identifies a specific type of material. Those four components are the material number, the form identifier, the code for supplementary characteristics and the code for surface or other specifications.
The first component - material number - consists of digits, which identify the material and determine its basic properties. These digits include such information as the material type, the principal alloying elements and the typical strength range. For instance, a high carbon steel will be identified by a numerical code that starts with 11, 12, or 15.
The second component - form identifier- is a letter code which gives information about the material form, e.g., plate, bar, or tube. Each form has an individual letter code - i.e. P for plate, B for bar, T for tube, and so on.
The third component - code for supplementary characteristics - is an optional letter code, which can be used to indicate various supplementary characteristics, such as manufacturing methods, grain size, and composition, etc. It is also used to specify any exceptions or alternative characteristics that do not fit the previous designation.
The fourth and final component of the ISO M-Number is the code for surface or other specifications. It is also an optional code, which provides the information about the surface conditions or other characteristics, such as tempering or heat treatment.
The ISO M-Number system makes it easy to classify and classify metal materials, and to determine the properties of these materials at a glance. It also makes it easy to manage and access material information quickly, making it much easier and faster to manage and access metal materials worldwide. It has become the worldwide accepted system for the classification and designations of metal materials, and it is widely used in both industrial and academic settings.
