Designation: B 666/B666M – 01

Standard Practice for

Identification Marking of Aluminum and Magnesium
Products1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 666/B666M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope * H35.1(M) Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for Alu-

1.1 This practice establishes the physical item marking minum2
requirements for identification purposes for aluminum and 2.4 Military Standards:
magnesium products. Package marking for shipment and MIL-STD-409 Alloy Nomenclature and Temper Designa-
inspection acceptance is not within the scope of this standard. tion System for Magnesium Base Alloys3
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI are to
3. Terminology
be regarded separately as standard. The SI units are shown in
brackets. The values stated in each system are not exact 3.1 Definitions:
equivalents; therefore, each system must be used indepen- 3.1.1 sheet—a rolled wrought product rectangular in cross
dently of the other. Combining values from the two systems section and form 0.006 through 0.249 in. [over 0.15 through
will result in nonconformance with the practice. 6.30 mm] thick with sheared, slit, or sawed edges.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1.2 coiled sheet—sheet in coils with slit edges.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.3 flat sheet—sheet with sheared, slit, or sawed edges,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- which has been flattened or leveled.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.4 plate—a rolled wrought product rectangular in cross
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. section and form 0.250 in. or thicker [over 6.30 mm in
thickness], with either sheared or sawed edges.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.5 circles—circles cut from coiled sheet, flat sheet or
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the plate.
date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the 3.1.6 tread plate—sheet or plate having a raised, figured
extent referenced herein: pattern on one surface to provide improved traction.
2.2 ASTM Standards: 3.1.7 foil—a rolled wrought product rectangular in cross
B 361 Specification for Factory-Made Wrought Aluminum section of thickness less than 0.006 in. [up through 0.15 mm].
and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Fittings2 3.1.8 rod—a solid cylindrical wrought product that is long
B 404 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy in relation to cross section, which is 0.375 in. or greater [over
Seamless Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes with In- 10.00 mm] in diameter.
tegral Fins2 3.1.9 bar—a solid wrought product that is long in relation to
B 404M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy cross section, which is square or rectangular (excluding plate
Seamless Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes with In- and flattened wire) with sharp or rounded corners or edges, or
tegral Fins2 is a regular hexagon or octagon, and in which at least one
B 547 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy perpendicular distance between parallel faces is 0.375 in. or
Formed and Arc-Welded Round Tube2 greater [over 10.00 mm].
B 881 Terminology Relating to Aluminum- and 3.1.10 profile—a wrought product that is long in relation to
Magnesium-Alloy Products2 its cross-sectional dimensions and has a cross section other
2.3 ANSI Standards: than that of sheet, plate, rod, bar, tube, or wire.
H35.1 Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for Alumi- 3.1.11 structural profile—a profile, rolled or extruded, in
num2 certain standard alloys, tempers, sizes, and sections, such as
angles, channels, tees, zees, I-beams, and H-sections; com-
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light
monly used for structural purpose.
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.03 on 3.1.12 extruded profile—a profile produced by extruding.
Aluminum Alloy Wrought Products.
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 2001. Published May 2001. Originally
published as B 666 – 80. Last previous edition B 666/B 666M – 96e1. 3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.02. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 B 666/B666M
3.1.13 tube—a hollow wrought product that is long in 4.1.2 Alloy and Temper of the Product—Designations shall
relation to its cross section, which is round; a regular hexagon, be in accordance with ANSI H35.1 [H35.1M] for aluminum
a regular octagon, elliptical; or is square or rectangular with and MIL-STD-409 for magnesium;
sharp or rounded corners, and has uniform wall thickness 4.1.3 Basic Number of the Specification to which the Prod-
except as affected by corner radii. uct was Produced—The basic number does not include the
3.1.14 pipe—extruded or drawn tube having certain stan- revision indicator;
dardized sizes of outside diameter and wall thickness com- 4.1.4 Specified (Ordered) Dimensions of the Following
monly designated by nominal pipe sizes and ANSI schedule Products:
numbers. 4.1.4.1 Sheet and Plate—Thickness in inches [millimetres],
3.1.15 wire—a solid wrought product that is long in relation
4.1.4.2 Coiled Wire and Spooled Wire—Diameter in inches
to its cross section, which is square or rectangular with sharp or
[millimetres],
rounded corners or edges, or is round; a regular hexagon or a
regular octagon, and whose diameter or greatest perpendicular 4.1.4.3 Tube:
distance between parallel faces (except for flattened wire) is (1) Straight Lengths—Outside diameter and wall thick-
less than 0.375 in. [up through 10.00 mm]. ness, in inches [millimetres],
3.1.16 forging—a metal part worked to a predetermined (2) Coiled—Wall thickness, in inches [millimetres],
shape by one or more such processes as hammering, upsetting, 4.1.4.4 Pipe—Nominal pipe size and ANSI schedule num-
pressing, rolling, etc. ber;
3.1.17 die forging—a forging formed to the required shape 4.1.5 When required by the material specification, addi-
and size by working in impression dies. tional spot marking of lot number on heat treated tempers of
3.1.18 hand forging—a forging worked between flat or some 2xxx, 6xxx, and 7xxx series wrought aluminum alloys
simply shaped dies by repeated strokes or blows and manipu- shall be in accordance with 5.1. The definition of lot shall be
lation of the piece. that as defined in the material specification.
3.1.19 bus bar—a rigid electric conductor in the form of a 4.1.6 For magnesium products, the applicable lot number
bar. shall be marked on each piece in at least one location.
3.1.20 casting—a metal object, at or near finished shape, 4.1.7 When required by the material specification, the word
produced by introducing molten metal into a mold or a die and “seamless” on certain tube or pipe.
allowing it to solidify.
3.1.21 ingot—a cast form suitable for fabricating (rolling, NOTE 2—The requirements specified in 4.1 are minimum; marking
forging, extruding, etc.) or remelting. Ingot for extruding was systems that involve additional information shall be as agreed upon
previously known as billet. between the producer and the purchaser.
3.1.22 marking: 4.2 Metal purchased to AMS material specifications that
3.1.23 spot marking—marking the identification only once reference this practice shall meet the requirements listed in 4.1
on the product. and shall be spot marked per 5.1 with the inspection lot number
3.1.24 continuous marking—recurring marking of the iden- on the product or on a tag attached to the product.
tification in intervals not greater than 40 in. [1000 mm] 4.3 When required by the material specification or specified
throughout the length of the product. in the contract or purchase order, marking of cast aluminum
3.1.25 perimeter marking—marking continuously the iden- products shall be in accordance with Section 6.
tification in one or two rows adjacent to the four edges of the 4.4 Product marking shall be such that it shall not rub off or
product. be otherwise obliterated by contact arising from normal han-
3.1.26 tagging—attaching tags bearing the required identi- dling, exposure to the elements, shipment, and storage. The
fication markings to coils, bundles, or containers of items height of the characters shall be commensurate with the size of
which are too small to mark or whose configuration preclude the product being marked; for example, not less than 0.375 in.
marking otherwise. [9 mm] for flat sheet and plate, not less than 0.250 in. [6 mm]
for hand forgings and not less than 0.125 in. [3 mm] for tubular
4. Basic Marking Requirements and Application products. Legibility of all markings shall be such as required
4.1 When required by the material specification or specified for ready readability and the required permanency of identifi-
in the contract or purchase order, wrought aluminum and cation.
magnesium mill products shall be marked for identification 4.5 Product marking shall be accomplished in a manner that
purposes only with the following information on the product or will not adversely affect the subsequent fabrication of the
on tags attached to the product: material, or produce stresses that would be deleterious to the
4.1.1 Name or Registered Trademark of the Company, functioning of the finished product. Marking on the product
which performs the final processing or finishing operation such shall be with marking fluid applied by printing, stamping, or
as rolling, stretching, thermal treatment, etc., prior to market- stenciling. Ghost images of the characters may remain upon the
ing the product; removal of marking applied. Impression stamping is consid-
NOTE 1—The company that performs nothing more than a simple ered detrimental and shall not be used except on ingot,
shearing or sawing operation may be excluded from marking the product castings, forging, and certain tube products, or when required
with its name. by prior agreement between the producer and purchaser.

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 B 666/B666M
5. Marking of Wrought Aluminum and Magnesium Mill 5.1.3.1 Circles 24 in. and over [over 600 mm] in diameter—
Products Spot marking on each circle unless the circle was cut from
5.1 When required by the material specification or specified sheet or plate having continuous marking, and
in the contract or purchase order, wrought aluminum and 5.1.3.2 Circles less than 24 in. [up through 600 mm] in
magnesium mill products shall be marked as follows: diameter—Tagging or marking of shipping container.
5.1.1 Coiled Sheet—Spot marking in one or more rows near NOTE 4—Alclad one side flat sheet, plate, circles, and coiled sheet shall
the outside end as shown in Fig. 1 [1M]. be marked on the bare side.
5.1.2 Flat Sheet and Plate: 5.1.4 Tread Plate—Spot marking near one end on the back
5.1.2.1 Flat sheet less than 0.012 in. [up through 0.30 mm] side.
(for O temper, less than 0.020 in. [up through 0.50 mm]) in 5.1.5 Foil—Marking of this product is not required. Pack-
thickness—Spot marking near one end, age marking only.
5.1.2.2 Plate and flat sheet 0.012 in. and over [over 0.30 5.1.6 Rod, Bar, and Extruded Profiles—Continuous mark-
mm] (for O temper, 0.020 in. and over [over 0.50 mm]) in ing of straight lengths as shown in Fig. 4 [4M], of sizes having
thickness and less than 6 in. [up through 150 mm] wide— an accessible flat surface of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm] in
Continuous marking in one row, width (with less than 1⁄8 in. [3 mm and less] indented surface),
5.1.2.3 Plate up through 0.375 in. [10 mm] and flat sheet or a diameter of 1⁄2 in. [over 12.5 mm] or more. Tagging is
0.012 in. and over [over 0.30 mm] (for O temper, 0.020 in. and applicable to smaller sizes, lengths under 3 ft [1 m] and coils.
over [over 0.50 mm]) in thickness, 6 through 60 in. [over 150 5.1.7 Structural Profiles—Spot marking near one end as
through 1500 mm] in width, and 36 through 200 in. [over 1000 shown in Fig. 5 [5M].
through 5000 mm] in length—Continuous marking in rows 5.1.8 Tube and Pipe—Continuous marking of non-round
running the direction of rolling on 6 in. [150 mm] centers straight lengths in a single row of sizes having both a wall
across the width on one surface as shown in Fig. 2 [2M]. Every thickness of 0.029 in. and greater [over 0.72 mm] and a flat
third row shall contain the producer’s name or trademark and surface of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm] in width. Continuous
the ordered thickness. The other two rows shall each contain marking of round straight lengths in a single row of sizes
the alloy and temper and the specification number, and shall be having both a wall thickness of 0.029 in. and greater [over 0.72
staggered. mm] and a diameter of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm]. Tagging
5.1.2.4 Plate over 0.375 in. [10 mm] in thickness, flat sheet is applicable to each coil or bundle of smaller sizes and lengths
and plate over 60 in. [1500 mm] in width or over 200 in. [5000 under 3 ft [1 m].
mm] in length—Same marking as 5.1.2.3 or perimeter marking 5.1.9 Wire—Tagging of coils and straight lengths, and spot
on one surface. When perimeter marking of two rows is marking on one flange of spools.
chosen, one row shall contain the producer’s name or trade- 5.1.10 Bus Bar—Spot marking near one end except that
mark and the ordered thickness, and the second row shall specification number shall not be required to be marked on this
contain alloy and temper, and the specification number as product.
shown in Fig. 3 [3M]. 5.1.11 Forgings:
NOTE 3—If perimeter marking is applied to a full piece as produced but 5.1.11.1 Hand Forging—Spot marking on one place of each
partial sheets or plates are supplied, an arrow shall be applied near one piece.
corner indicating the direction of rolling. 5.1.11.2 Die Forging—Marking in accordance with the
5.1.3 Circles: requirements of the forging drawing.

6. Marking of Cast Aluminum Products

6.1 Castings—Marking shall be that as specified by the
applicable material specification or as agreed upon between the
producer and the purchaser.
6.2 Remelt Ingot for Castings:
6.2.1 Marking of Aluminum Ingot—The producer’s name or
trademark (see 4.1.1), alloy designation (see 4.1.2) and cast
number shall be impressioned-stamped or otherwise perma-
nently marked on each ingot or if strapped together, not less
Fig. 1 Spot Marking for Coiled Sheet
than four ingots in each bundle, two in the top layer and two in
the bottom layer. Specification number shall not be required to
be marked on this product.
6.2.2 Marking of Magnesium Ingot—The producer’s name
or trademark (see 4.1.1), alloy designation (see 4.1.2), and cast
number shall be impression-stamped or otherwise permanently
marked on each ingot or bundle, if strapped together. Specifi-
cation number shall not be required to be marked on this
product.
FIG. 1 M Spot Marking for Coiled Sheet 6.3 Ingot or Billet for Fabricating—When specified in the

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 B 666/B666M

FIG 2 Continuous Marking for Plate Through 0.375 in. and Flat Sheet 0.012 in. and over (for O Temper, 0.020 in. and over) in Thickness,
6 Through 60 in. in Width, and 36 Through 200 in. in Length

FIG. 2 M Continuous Marking for Plate Through 10 mm and Flat Sheet over 0.30 mm (for O Temper, over 0.50 mm) in Thickness, over
150 Through 1500 mm in Width, and 1000 Through 5000 mm in Length

contract or purchase order, marking shall include the produc- each ingot, pig, billet, or pallet as follows:
er’s name or trademark, alloy and cast number. Specification 7.2.1 Producer’s name or trademark,
data shall not be required to be marked on these products. 7.2.2 Cast number, or other identification by convention
7. Marking of Unalloyed Aluminum and Magnesium which allows traceability of the product to a specific chemical
Ingot composition.
7.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order, 8. Marking of Special Products
unalloyed aluminum ingot shall be marked as follows:
7.1.1 Producer’s name, logo, or trademark, 8.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order,
7.1.2 Production location either permanently cast in, im- marking of special products that are not covered in this
pression stamped, or otherwise marked, specification shall be in accordance with that specified by the
7.1.3 Metal grade or aluminum designation impression applicable material specification.
stamped or otherwise marked with legible characters, and 8.2 Special products that are to be marked in accordance
7.1.4 Cast number, or other identification, by convention with requirements in the applicable material specification are
which allows traceability of specific ingot to a specific chemi- welding fittings (Specification B 361); condenser and heatex-
cal composition. changer tubes with integral fins (Specifications B 404 and
7.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order, B 404M); and formed and arc-welded round tube (Specifica-
unalloyed magnesium ingot shall be permanently marked on tion B 547).

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 B 666/B666M

FIG 3 Perimeter Marking for Plate over 0.375 in. in Thickness, Flat Sheet and Plate over 60 in. in Width or over 200 in. in Length

FIG. 3 M Perimeter Marking for Plate over 10 mm in Thickness, Flat Sheet and Plate over 1500 mm in Width or over 5000 mm in
Length

FIG 4 Continuous Marking for Rod, Bar, Profiles and Tube in Straight Lengths

FIG. 4 M Continuous Marking for Rod, Bar, Profiles and Tube in Straight Lengths

9. Keywords
9.1 aluminum products; identification markings; magne-
sium products

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 B 666/B666M

FIG 5 Spot Marking for Structural Profiles

FIG. 5 M Spot Marking for Structural Profiles

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the principal changes to this standard (3) 4.2 was added to address SAE-AMS needs for spot marking
that have been incorporated since the last issue. of lot number.
(1) B 881 was added to the Referenced Documents section. (4) ”Lot 123” was added to Fig. 1 and Fig. 1M to show
(2) Reference for 5.1 was added to 4.1.5. marking of Lot numbers.

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