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Test Method

ASTM publishes six main types of standards: test methods, specifications, classifications, practices, guides, and terminology. A test method produces a test result by following a definitive procedure, while a specification sets explicit requirements for materials, products, or services. A classification systematically arranges items into groups based on similar characteristics, and a practice provides instructions without a test result. A guide offers options without recommending a specific course of action, and terminology comprises definitions of terms.

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41 views3 pages

Test Method

ASTM publishes six main types of standards: test methods, specifications, classifications, practices, guides, and terminology. A test method produces a test result by following a definitive procedure, while a specification sets explicit requirements for materials, products, or services. A classification systematically arranges items into groups based on similar characteristics, and a practice provides instructions without a test result. A guide offers options without recommending a specific course of action, and terminology comprises definitions of terms.

Uploaded by

Harold Landicho
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ASTM publishes six different types of standards:

1. Test method

2. Specification

3. Classification

4. Practice

5. Guide

6. Terminology

TEST METHOD

A definitive procedure that produces test result.

A test method usually includes a concise description of an orderly procedure for determining a property
or constituent of a material, an assembly of materials or a product. All details regarding apparatus, test
specimen, procedure, and calculations needed to achieve satisfactory precision and bias should be
included in a test method. An ASTM test method should represent a consensus as to the best currently
available test procedure for the use intended and it should be supported by experience and adequate
data obtained from cooperative tests.

Examples of test methods include, but are not limited to: identification, measurement, and evaluation of
one or more qualities, characteristics or properties. A precision and bias statement shall be reported at
the end of a test method. Aside from the mandatory sections common to all standards, sections of
Significance and Use, Hazards (where applicable), Procedure, and Precision and Bias are mandatory for
test methods.

The question sometimes arises as to the difference between a test method and a practice. The major
difference is a test result. A test method produces a test result. A practice does not.

SPECIFICATION

An explicit set of requirements to be satisfied by a material, product, system or service.

A wide variety of subjects are covered in ASTM specifications. Examples of specifications include, but are
not limited to, requirements for: physical, mechanical, or chemical properties, and safety, quality, or
performance criteria. A specification identifies the test methods for determining whether each of the
requirements is satisfied.

Specifications may serve three functions: to facilitate purchasing; to create standardization; and, to
provide technical data. A specification can serve all three functions, but it is important not to get these
functions confused when writing a standard.

CLASSIFICATION

A systematic arrangement or division of materials, products, systems, or services into groups based on
similar characteristics such as origin, composition, properties, or use.

Because each ASTM committee is unique, the classifications written by one committee might be quite
different from those written by another. The one common aspect to all ASTM classifications is that each
must have a mandatory Basis of Classification section. This is the most important part of any
classification as it sets up categories in which groupings are made.

PRACTICE

A definitive set of instructions for performing one or more specific operation that does not include a test
result.

As mentioned in the Test Methods section, occasionally there is confusion about the differences
between practices and test methods. In addition, questions sometimes surface over the differences
between practices and guides, which are defined below. Generally speaking, the difference between a
practice and a guide is that a practice underscores a general usage principle while a guide suggests an
approach. A guide connotes accepted procedures for the performance of a given task.

Examples of practices include, but are not limited to: application, assessment, cleaning, collection,
decontamination, inspection, installation, preparation, sampling, screening, and training.

GUIDE

A compendium of information or series of options that does not recommend a specific course of action.

A guide may propose a series of options or instructions that offer direction without recommending a
definite course of action. The purpose of this type of standard is to offer guidance based on a consensus
of viewpoints but not to establish a standard practice to follow in all cases. A guide is intended to
increase the awareness of the user concerning available techniques in a given subject area, while
providing information from which subsequent testing programs can be derived.

TERMINOLOGY

A document comprising definitions of terms; explanations of symbols, abbreviations, or acronyms.

Of all the types of standards published by ASTM, terminology standards are the most self-explanatory: it
is simply a collection of definitions and, occasionally, symbols, abbreviations and acronyms.

In addition to the six types of standards, ASTM also publishes provisional standards, which are defined in
the Regulations as “a document published for a limited time by the Society to meet a demand for more
rapid issuance of specific documents, such as an emergency situation, regulatory requirements, or other
special circumstances.” Provisional standards are not full consensus documents because they require
subcommittee consensus only. Section 14 of the Regulations provides more information on provisional
standards.

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