Designation: B666/B666M − 08

Standard Practice for

Identification Marking of Aluminum and Magnesium
Products1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B666/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 (´) 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* B881 Terminology Relating to Aluminum- and Magnesium-

1.1 This practice establishes the physical item marking Alloy Products
requirements for identification purposes for aluminum and 2.3 ANSI Standards:
magnesium products. Package marking for shipment and H35.1/H35.1(M) Alloy and Temper Designation Systems for
inspection acceptance is not within the scope of this standard. Aluminum4
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 2.4 Military Standards:
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in MIL-STD-409 Alloy Nomenclature and Temper Designa-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each tion System for Magnesium Base Alloys5
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 3. Terminology
with the standard. 3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology B881 for definitions
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the of product terms used in this specification.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2.1 Marking:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.2 spot marking—marking the identification only once on
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. the product.
3.2.3 continuous marking—recurring marking of the identi-
2. Referenced Documents
fication in intervals not greater than 40 in. [1000 mm]
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the throughout the length of the product.
date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the
3.2.4 perimeter marking—marking continuously the identi-
extent referenced herein:
fication in one or two rows adjacent to the four edges of the
2.2 ASTM Standards:2 product.
B361 Specification for Factory-Made Wrought Aluminum 3.2.5 tagging—attaching tags bearing the required identifi-
and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Fittings cation markings to coils, bundles, or containers of items which
B404/B404M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum- are too small to mark or whose configuration preclude marking
Alloy Seamless Condenser and Heat-Exchanger Tubes otherwise.
with Integral Fins (Withdrawn 2006)3
B547/B547M Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum- 4. Basic Marking Requirements and Application
Alloy Formed and Arc-Welded Round Tube
4.1 When this practice is required by the material specifi-
cation or specified in the contract or purchase order, wrought
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B07 on Light aluminum and magnesium mill products shall be marked for
Metals and Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B07.03 on
Aluminum Alloy Wrought Products.
identification purposes only with the following information on
Current edition approved July 15, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally the product or on tags attached to the product:
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as B666/B666M – 01.
DOI: 10.1520/B0666_B0666M-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Aluminum Association, Inc., 1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aluminum.org.
5
the ASTM website. Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
www.astm.org. www.dodssp.daps.mil.

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

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 B666/B666M − 08
4.1.1 Name or Registered Trademark of the Company, 5. Marking of Wrought Aluminum and Magnesium Mill
which performs the final processing or finishing operation such Products
as rolling, stretching, thermal treatment, etc., prior to market- 5.1 When this practice is required by the material specifi-
ing the product; cation or specified in the contract or purchase order, wrought
NOTE 1—The company that performs nothing more than a simple aluminum and magnesium mill products shall be marked as
shearing or sawing operation may be excluded from marking the product follows:
with its name. 5.1.1 Lot Number, All Products—Spot marking the product.
4.1.2 Alloy and Temper of the Product—Designations shall 5.1.2 Coiled Sheet—Spot marking in one or more rows near
be in accordance with ANSI H35.1/H35.1M for aluminum and the outside end as shown in Fig. 1 [1M].
MIL-STD-409 for magnesium; 5.1.3 Flat Sheet and Plate:
4.1.3 Basic Number of the Specification to which the Prod- 5.1.3.1 Flat sheet less than 0.012 in. [up through 0.30 mm]
uct was Produced—The basic number does not include the (for O temper, less than 0.020 in. [up through 0.50 mm]) in
revision indicator; thickness—Spot marking near one end,
4.1.4 Specified (Ordered) Dimensions of the Following 5.1.3.2 Plate and flat sheet 0.012 in. and over [over 0.30
Products: mm] (for O temper, 0.020 in. and over [over 0.50 mm]) in
4.1.4.1 Sheet and Plate—Thickness in inches [millimetres], thickness and less than 6 in. [up through 150 mm] wide—
4.1.4.2 Coiled Wire and Spooled Wire—Diameter in inches Continuous marking in one row,
[millimetres], 5.1.3.3 Plate up through 0.375 in. [10 mm] and flat sheet
4.1.4.3 Tube: 0.012 in. and over [over 0.30 mm] (for O temper, 0.020 in. and
(1) Straight Lengths—Outside diameter and wall over [over 0.50 mm]) in thickness, 6 through 60 in. [over 150
thickness, in inches [millimetres], through 1500 mm] in width, and 36 through 200 in. [over 1000
(2) Coiled—Wall thickness, in inches [millimetres], through 5000 mm] in length—Continuous marking in rows
4.1.4.4 Pipe—Nominal pipe size and ANSI schedule num- running the direction of rolling on 6 in. [150 mm] centers
ber; across the width on one surface as shown in Fig. 2 [2M] and
4.1.5 Lot number shall be included in the product marking. Fig. 3[3M]. Using the marking pattern of Fig. 2 [2M], every
The definition of lot shall be that as defined in the material third row shall contain the producer’s name or trademark and
specification. the ordered thickness. The other two rows shall each contain
4.1.6 For magnesium products, the applicable lot number the alloy and temper and the specification number, and shall be
shall be marked on each piece in at least one location. staggered. Using the marking pattern of Fig. 3[3M], there are
4.1.7 When required by the material specification, the word two alternating rows. One row shall contain the producer’s
“seamless” on certain tube or pipe. name or trademark and the ordered thickness, and the alternat-
ing row shall contain the alloy and temper and the specification
NOTE 2—The requirements specified in 4.1 are minimum; marking number. Both the marking patterns shown in Fig. 2[2M] and
systems that involve additional information shall be as agreed upon
between the producer and the purchaser.
Fig. 3[3M] provide the same information and either can be
used.
4.2 When this practice is required by the material specifi- 5.1.3.4 Plate over 0.375 in. [10 mm] in thickness, flat sheet
cation or specified in the contract or purchase order, marking of and plate over 60 in. [1500 mm] in width or over 200 in. [5000
cast aluminum products shall be in accordance with Section 6.
4.3 Product marking shall be such that it shall not rub off or
be otherwise obliterated by contact arising from normal
handling, exposure to the elements, shipment, and storage. The
height of the characters shall be commensurate with the size of
the product being marked; for example, not less than 0.375 in.
[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
products. Legibility of all markings shall be such as required
for ready readability and the required permanency of identifi-
cation.
Fig. 1 Spot Marking for Coiled Sheet
4.4 Product marking shall be accomplished in a manner that
will not adversely affect the subsequent fabrication of the
material, or produce stresses that would be deleterious to the
functioning of the finished product. Marking on the product
shall be with marking fluid applied by printing, stamping, or
stenciling. Ghost images of the characters may remain upon the
removal of marking applied. Impression stamping is consid-
ered detrimental and shall not be used except on ingot,
castings, forging, and certain tube products, or when required
by prior agreement between the producer and purchaser. FIG. 1 M Spot Marking for Coiled Sheet

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 B666/B666M − 08

NOTE 1—Marking pattern is three staggered rows: two rows contain alloy, temper, and specification number, and every third row contains producer’s
name and ordered thickness. Figure shows spot marking of the lot number.
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

NOTE 1—Marking pattern is three staggered rows: two rows contain alloy, temper, and specification number, and every third row contains producer’s
name and ordered thickness. Figure shows spot marking of the lot number.

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

mm] in length—Same marking as 5.1.3.3 or perimeter marking mark and the ordered thickness, and the second row shall
on one surface. When perimeter marking of two rows is contain alloy and temper, and the specification number as
chosen, one row shall contain the producer’s name or trade- shown in Fig. 4 [4M].

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 B666/B666M − 08

NOTE 1—Marking pattern is two alternating rows: one row contains alloy, temper, and specification number, and the alternating row contains the
producer’s name and ordered thickness. Figure shows spot marking of the lot number.
FIG 3 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.

NOTE 1—Marking pattern is two alternating rows: one row contains alloy, temper, and specification number, and the alternating row contains the
producer’s name and ordered thickness. Figure shows spot marking of the lot number.

FIG. 3 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.

NOTE 3—If perimeter marking is applied to a full piece as produced but 5.1.4 Circles:
partial sheets or plates are supplied, an arrow shall be applied near one
corner of each partial sheet or plate indicating the direction of rolling.

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 B666/B666M − 08

NOTE 1—Figure shows spot marking of the lot number. Arrow indicates the rolling direction.

FIG 4 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.

NOTE 1—Figure shows spot marking of the lot number. Arrow indicates the rolling direction.

FIG. 4 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.

5.1.4.1 Circles 24 in. and over [over 600 mm] in diameter— 5.1.9 Tube and Pipe—Continuous marking of non-round
Spot marking on each circle unless the circle was cut from straight lengths in a single row of sizes having both a wall
sheet or plate having continuous marking, and thickness of 0.029 in. and greater [over 0.72 mm] and a flat
5.1.4.2 Circles less than 24 in. [up through 600 mm] in surface of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm] in width. Continuous
diameter—Tagging or marking of shipping container. marking of round straight lengths in a single row of sizes
NOTE 4—Alclad one side flat sheet, plate, circles, and coiled sheet shall
having both a wall thickness of 0.029 in. and greater [over 0.72
be marked on the bare side. mm] and a diameter of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm]. Tagging
is applicable to each coil or bundle of smaller sizes and lengths
5.1.5 Tread Plate—Spot marking near one end on the back
under 3 ft [1 m].
side.
5.1.6 Foil—Marking of this product is not required. Package 5.1.10 Wire—Tagging of coils and straight lengths, and spot
marking only. marking on one flange of spools.
5.1.7 Rod, Bar, and Extruded Profiles—Continuous marking 5.1.11 Bus Bar—Spot marking near one end except that
of straight lengths as shown in Fig. 5 [5M], of sizes having an specification number shall not be required to be marked on this
accessible flat surface of 1⁄2 in. or more [over 12.5 mm] in product.
width (with less than 1⁄8 in. [3 mm and less] indented surface), 5.1.12 Forgings:
or a diameter of 1⁄2 in. [over 12.5 mm] or more. Tagging is 5.1.12.1 Hand Forging—Spot marking on one place of each
applicable to smaller sizes, lengths under 3 ft [1 m] and coils. piece.
5.1.8 Structural Profiles—Spot marking near one end as 5.1.12.2 Die Forging—Marking in accordance with the
shown in Fig. 6 [6M]. requirements of the forging drawing.

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 B666/B666M − 08

FIG 5 Continuous Marking for Rod, Bar, Profiles, and Tube in Straight Lengths

FIG. 5 M Continuous Marking for Rod, Bar, Profiles, and Tube in Straight Lengths

FIG 6 Spot Marking for Structural Profiles

FIG. 6 M Spot Marking for Structural Profiles

6. Marking of Cast Aluminum Products marked on each ingot or bundle, if strapped together. Specifi-
6.1 Castings—Marking shall be that as specified by the cation number shall not be required to be marked on this
applicable material specification or as agreed upon between the product.
producer and the purchaser. 6.3 Ingot or Billet for Fabricating—When specified in the
6.2 Remelt Ingot for Castings: contract or purchase order, marking shall include the produc-
6.2.1 Marking of Aluminum Ingot—The producer’s name or er’s name or trademark, alloy and cast number. Specification
trademark (see 4.1.1), alloy designation (see 4.1.2) and cast data shall not be required to be marked on these products.
number shall be impressioned-stamped or otherwise perma-
nently marked on each ingot or if strapped together, not less 7. Marking of Unalloyed Aluminum and Magnesium
than four ingots in each bundle, two in the top layer and two in Ingot
the bottom layer. Specification number shall not be required to 7.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order,
be marked on this product. unalloyed aluminum ingot shall be marked as follows:
6.2.2 Marking of Magnesium Ingot—The producer’s name 7.1.1 Producer’s name, logo, or trademark,
or trademark (see 4.1.1), alloy designation (see 4.1.2), and cast 7.1.2 Production location either permanently cast in, im-
number shall be impression-stamped or otherwise permanently pression stamped, or otherwise marked,

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 B666/B666M − 08
7.1.3 Metal grade or aluminum designation impression specification shall be in accordance with that specified by the
stamped or otherwise marked with legible characters, and applicable material specification.
7.1.4 Cast number, or other identification, by convention
which allows traceability of specific ingot to a specific chemi- 8.2 Special products that are to be marked in accordance
cal composition. with requirements in the applicable material specification are
welding fittings (Specification B361); condenser and heat
7.2 When specified in the contract or purchase order, exchanger tubes with integral fins (Specifications B404/
unalloyed magnesium ingot shall be permanently marked on B404M); and formed and arc-welded round tube (Specification
each ingot, pig, billet, or pallet as follows:
B547/B547M).
7.2.1 Producer’s name or trademark,
7.2.2 Cast number, or other identification by convention
9. Keywords
which allows traceability of the product to a specific chemical
composition. 9.1 aluminum products; identification markings; magne-
sium products
8. Marking of Special Products
8.1 When specified in the contract or purchase order,
marking of special products that are not covered in this

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee B07 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(B666/B666M – 01) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 15, 2008)

(1) Deleted ANSI H35.1(M) in Section 2 and replaced ANSI (9) Added text to clarify that rolling direction is to be marked
H35.1 with H35.1/H35.1(M). on “each partial sheet or plate”.
(2) Provided reference to B881 for definitions of terminology (10) Reference to the lot number marking in the schematics of
and deleted definitions that are provided in B881. the Figures was included in Figure notes.
(3) Section 4.1.5 was re-worded to require marking of lot (11) Lot number marking was added to the schematics of Figs.
number. 4-6.
(4) Section 4.2 was deleted since lot number marking is a (12) Arrow indicating rolling direction has been added to Fig.
general requirement of 4.1.5. 4 [4M] along with an explanation in a figure note.
(5) Added Fig. 3[3M] with alternative marking pattern of two (13) Inserted Lot Number, All Products – Spot marking the
alternating rows. product as 5.1.1 and renumbered subsequent sections.
(6) Replaced lot designation “AB12345” with “LOT123” in (14) Added reference to this practice for clarity in sections 4.1
Fig. 2 [2M] to be consistent with Fig. 1 [1M].
and 4.2.
(7) Provided notes in Fig. 2 [2M] and Fig. 3[3M] to identify
(15) Change 6061–T to 6061–T6 in Fig. 1[1M].
two distinct marking patterns.
(8) Renumbered Figures to accommodate addition of a new
Fig. 3[3M].

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