Materials System Specification

12-SAMSS-005 30 June 2014

Marking of Metal Products
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 General.......................................................... 3
5 Marking Terms............................................... 3
6 Marking Requirements and Applications….... 4

Figure 1 – Tag Location on Various

Shipping Units........................................ 6

Previous Issue: 7 May 2011 Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019

Page 1 of 6
Primary contact: Mohammed A. Al-Anezi on +966 13 880-9528

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-005
Issue Date: 30 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019 Marking of Metal Products

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, Consulting 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

American Society for Testing and Materials

ASTM A700 Instructions Standard Practices for
Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for
Steel Products for Shipment

3.3 Industry Codes and Standards Terminology

ASTM - American Society for Testing Materials
BSI - British Standards Institution

Page 2 of 6
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-005
Issue Date: 30 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019 Marking of Metal Products

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.

5.2.3 Each product or secured lift shall be tagged or marked with the heat
number, the size, and customer’s name and order number.

Page 3 of 6
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-005
Issue Date: 30 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019 Marking of Metal Products

6 Marking Requirements and Applications

6.1 Marking Methods and Legibility

6.1.1 The area of the metal products to be marked shall be clean and dry.

6.1.2 Markings on metal products shall be legible and sufficient to resist

effacement by contact incidental to normal handling, shipment and
outside storage. Quick drying, permanent waterproof ink, paint, other
suitable marking substances or electrochemical marking may be used.
Stamping is permitted on carbon steel products except ground bars.

6.1.3 The size of the lettering shall be consistent with the space available to be
marked on metal products.

6.1.4 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.

6.1.5 Since no generally recognized color code for identification of steel

grades, color marking to denote special grades can be applied. In such
cases a dash of color on one end of loose pieces is sufficient.

6.1.6 In the case of secured lifts, the grade is shown on a tag attached to the
lift. If specified, the lift is marked additionally on one end of the lift with
sizes of 2 in. (50 mm) and over with not more than two colors.

6.2 Deleterious Effect

Marking on metal products shall be placed in a manner which will not affect the
usefulness of the product and will not be easily vanished by contact.

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 and one end of each plate.

Page 4 of 6
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-005
Issue Date: 30 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019 Marking of Metal Products

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 and one end 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 the surface of 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 and marked with a dash of
color, if specified, as explained in 6.1.6.

Revision Summary
18 June 2014 Major revision to update the requirements of marking for metal products. These changes
enhance the identification of procured materials and traceability.

Page 5 of 6
Document Responsibility: Materials Engineering Standards Committee 12-SAMSS-005
Issue Date: 30 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 30 June 2019 Marking of Metal Products

Figure 1 – Tag Location on Various Shipping Units

Page 6 of 6