Standards for Materials Databases: ASTM Committee E49

To prevent duplication of effort and to facilitate the building of compatible databases on material property data, ASTM Committee E49 on Computerization of Material Property Data has active efforts underway to develop standards and guidelines in the areas of: (1) designation systems for engineering materials, (2) recording formats for test results and other property data, (3) formats for the exchange of data between materials databases and for data entry purposes, (4) indicators of data quality, and (5) harmonized terminology. A wide variety of draft documents in each area is moving through the standards process, and these will be described in some detail. Several aspects deserve greater discussion. First, the concept of a universal numbering system for ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials is presently being considered. This system would be developed as a cooperative effort between Committee E49 and other industry groups. Second, the proliferation of formats for test results strains attempts to keep the formats as uniform and as compatible as desired. To avoid problems, Committee E49 is developing generic guidelines and their features are discussed. Finally, materials data exchange formats being developed for commercial transactions and product definition do not cover the needs of the materials database community. Again, the ASTM Committee E49 approach is addressed.