Materials System Specification

12-SAMSS-005

7 May 2011

Marking of Metal Products

Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
1

Scope............................................................. 2

Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2

References..................................................... 2

General.......................................................... 3

Marking Terms............................................... 3

Marking Requirements and Applications.... 3

Figure 1 Tag Location on Various

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

Previous Issue: 22 December 2008 Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

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Primary contact: Mohammed A. Al-Anezi on 966-3-8760229
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2011. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Issue Date: 7 May 2011
Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

12-SAMSS-005
Marking of Metal Products

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.

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, Conculting 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.

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

3.2

Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a

Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Industry Codes and Standards

ASTM -

American Society for Testing Materials

BSI

British Standards Institution

DIN

Deutsches Institut Fur Normung

EN

European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

JIS

Japanese Industrial Standard

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Issue Date: 7 May 2011
Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

12-SAMSS-005
Marking of Metal Products

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.

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.

Marking Requirements and Applications

6.1

Marking Methods and Legibility

6.1.1

Markings on metal products shall be legible and sufficient to resist

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

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Issue Date: 7 May 2011
Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

6.1.2

6.2

12-SAMSS-005
Marking of Metal Products

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.

Deleterious Effect
Marking on metal products shall be placed in a manner which will not affect the
usefulness of the product.

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 of each plate.

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 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 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.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Issue Date: 7 May 2011
Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

22 December 2008
7 May 2011

12-SAMSS-005
Marking of Metal Products

Revision Summary
Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and
reissued with editorial changes.
Editorial revision to remove committee list.

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Document Responsibility: Materials and Corrosion Control Standards Committee

Issue Date: 7 May 2011
Next Planned Update: 22 December 2013

12-SAMSS-005
Marking of Metal Products

Figure 1 Tag Location on Various Shipping Units

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