Understanding Metal Standards: ASTM, EN, JIS and GB Explained

This article provides general technical information about international metal standards, grade designation systems and inspection documentation practices. Material specifications should always be verified against the current edition of the applicable standard, project requirements and the supplier’s certification documents.

Introduction

Industrial metal materials are rarely specified by material names alone. A description such as stainless steel, carbon steel or aluminum alloy is only the beginning of a material specification.

In engineering and industrial procurement, materials are usually defined through a combination of:

• Material standards
• Grade designations
• Product forms
• Dimensional requirements
• Inspection and certification requirements

These specifications provide a common technical language between manufacturers, suppliers, engineers and end users across different regions.

Internationally recognized standards such as ASTM, EN, JIS and GB help define material requirements, manufacturing practices and inspection procedures, ensuring that materials meet the expectations of specific industrial applications.

Understanding how these standards work is essential for selecting, purchasing and verifying industrial metal materials.

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1. What Are Metal Standards?

A metal standard is a documented technical specification that defines requirements for a particular material, product form or manufacturing process.

Depending on the standard, requirements may include:

• Chemical composition limits
• Mechanical property requirements
• Manufacturing processes
• Heat treatment conditions
• Dimensional tolerances
• Testing methods
• Inspection documentation

For example, a steel pipe specification may define:

• The material grade
• Chemical composition requirements
• Mechanical testing requirements
• Manufacturing method
• Inspection procedures

A standard does not simply describe what a material is. It defines the technical requirements that allow the material to be consistently produced, tested and accepted.

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2. Why Are Metal Standards Important in Industrial Procurement?

Metal standards play an important role in international engineering and supply chains.

2.1 Clear Material Identification

Material descriptions often contain multiple elements:

• Standard
• Grade
• Product form
• Size
• Delivery condition

For example:

ASTM A312 TP316 Seamless Stainless Steel Pipe

provides significantly more information than:

316 stainless pipe

The complete specification identifies:

• The applicable standard
• The material grade
• The product type

This reduces misunderstandings during engineering review and procurement.

2.2 Consistent Quality Requirements

Different manufacturers may produce materials in different regions. Standards provide a common reference for:

• Required composition
• Mechanical performance
• Testing requirements
• Acceptance criteria

This allows buyers to compare materials based on defined technical requirements rather than only supplier descriptions.

2.3 International Communication

Industrial projects often involve multiple countries:

• Material producers
• Engineering companies
• Contractors
• Equipment manufacturers
• End users

Standards help different parties communicate using recognized technical specifications.

A project in one country may reference ASTM standards, while another may use EN, JIS or GB standards depending on industry practice and customer requirements.

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3. Major Industrial Metal Standards

Different regions and industries commonly use different standard systems. Among the most widely referenced systems are ASTM, EN, JIS and GB.

3.1 ASTM Standards

ASTM International

ASTM International develops voluntary consensus standards covering materials, products, testing methods and industrial practices.

ASTM standards are widely used in:

• Steel products
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum alloys
• Copper alloys
• Nickel alloys
• Material testing procedures

Common ASTM metal standard families include:

ASTM A Series

Primarily associated with iron and steel products.

Examples:

• ASTM A36/A36M — Carbon structural steel ¹
• ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip ²
• ASTM A312/A312M — Seamless, welded and heavily cold worked austenitic stainless steel pipes ³

ASTM B Series

Commonly associated with non-ferrous metals and alloys.

Examples include specifications for:

• Copper alloys
• Aluminum alloys
• Nickel alloys

ASTM standards are frequently referenced in international industrial projects, especially where North American specifications are required.

3.2 EN Standards

European Standards (EN)

EN standards are developed within the European standardization system and are widely used in European engineering and manufacturing applications.

EN standards cover many industrial metal categories, including:

• Structural steels
• Stainless steels
• Steel tubes
• Aluminum products
• Inspection documents

Examples include:

EN 10025

Structural steel products.

EN 10204

Metallic products — Types of inspection documents. ⁴

This standard defines inspection document types used to confirm product compliance and testing information.

EN 10216 and EN 10217

Steel tubes for pressure applications, covering seamless and welded tube specifications.

EN standards are especially important when projects require European technical specifications or documentation practices.

3.3 JIS Standards

Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)

JIS standards define technical requirements for industrial products in Japan and are widely recognized in manufacturing industries.

They are commonly encountered in:

• Automotive manufacturing
• Machinery production
• Industrial equipment
• Precision manufacturing

Examples include:

JIS G3101

Rolled steels for general structure. ⁵

JIS G4304

Hot-rolled stainless steel plate, sheet and strip.

JIS standards often appear in projects involving Japanese engineering practices or equipment manufacturers.

3.4 GB Standards

Chinese National Standards (GB)

GB standards are national standards used in China for industrial products and materials.

They cover a wide range of metal materials, including:

• Structural steels
• Stainless steels
• Alloy steels
• Pipes and tubes

Examples include:

GB/T 700

Carbon structural steels.

GB/T 1591

High strength low alloy structural steels. ⁶

GB/T 3280

Cold rolled stainless steel plate, sheet and strip.

GB standards are commonly referenced for materials manufactured or supplied in China.

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4. Understanding Material Grades and Equivalent Grades

One material may appear under different designations depending on the standard system.

For example, a stainless steel grade may have references in:

• ASTM
• EN
• JIS
• GB

However, an equivalent grade does not always mean that two materials are completely identical.

Differences may exist in:

• Chemical composition limits
• Mechanical requirements
• Manufacturing processes
• Product forms
• Heat treatment conditions
• Testing requirements

Therefore, material comparison should always consider the complete specification rather than only the grade name.

A proper material evaluation normally considers:

1. Applicable standard
2. Material grade
3. Product form
4. Required properties
5. Application conditions

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5. How Standards Appear in Metal Product Specifications

Industrial material specifications usually combine several requirements.

5.1 Material Standard

Defines the technical requirements.

Examples:

• ASTM A240
• EN 10025
• JIS G4304

5.2 Material Grade

Identifies the specific material category.

Examples:

• 304 stainless steel
• 316 stainless steel
• S355 structural steel

5.3 Product Form

Defines how the material is supplied.

Examples:

• Plate
• Sheet
• Coil
• Pipe
• Tube
• Bar
• Structural section

5.4 Dimensions and Delivery Requirements

Specifications may include:

• Thickness
• Diameter
• Length
• Surface condition
• Heat treatment condition

5.5 Inspection Requirements

Industrial projects may require documentation such as:

• Mill Test Certificates
• Inspection reports
• Third-party inspection records

For example:

ASTM A312 TP316 Seamless Pipe with EN 10204 3.1 Inspection Certificate

contains information about:

• Product standard
• Material grade
• Product type
• Inspection documentation requirement

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6. Standards, Testing and Material Documentation

Standards are closely connected with quality documentation and material traceability.

Mill Test Certificates (MTC)

A mill test certificate typically provides information such as:

• Material identification
• Heat number
• Chemical analysis results
• Mechanical test results
• Applicable standard compliance

The exact content depends on the applicable standard and certification requirements.

EN 10204 Inspection Documents

EN 10204 defines different types of inspection documents for metallic products.

Commonly referenced documents include:

• 2.1 — Declaration of compliance with the order
• 2.2 — Test report
• 3.1 — Inspection certificate
• 3.2 — Inspection certificate involving an external party

The required document type depends on project requirements, industry regulations and customer specifications.

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7. How Engineers and Buyers Select the Appropriate Standard

Selecting a material standard is not simply about choosing the most commonly used specification.

The appropriate standard depends on factors such as:

Project Requirements

Engineering projects may specify certain standards based on:

• Design codes
• Regional regulations
• Industry requirements

Application Environment

Material requirements vary depending on:

• Temperature
• Corrosion exposure
• Pressure conditions
• Mechanical loading

Industry Practices

Different industries may commonly reference different standards.

Examples:

• Construction projects may commonly use structural steel standards.
• Pressure equipment projects may involve pressure vessel and piping standards.
• Manufacturing industries may reference standards commonly used by equipment designers.

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Conclusion

Metal standards provide the foundation for reliable industrial material selection and international procurement.

Understanding the relationship between:

• Standards
• Material grades
• Product forms
• Inspection documents

helps engineers and buyers evaluate materials more effectively and reduce uncertainty throughout the supply chain.

Recognized standards such as ASTM, EN, JIS and GB create a common framework for defining material requirements across global industries.

Wayland Steel supplies ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and special alloy materials in various product forms according to recognized international standards, supporting industrial customers with material specifications, documentation and traceability requirements.

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References

1. ASTM International, ASTM A36/A36M — Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel. ASTM A36 ↩

2. ASTM International, ASTM A240/A240M — Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications. ASTM A240 ↩

3. ASTM International, ASTM A312/A312M — Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes. ASTM A312 ↩

4. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), EN 10204 — Metallic products — Types of inspection documents. EN 10204 ↩

5. Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC), JIS G3101 — Rolled steels for general structure. JIS G3101 ↩

6. Standardization Administration of China (SAC), GB/T 1591 — High strength low alloy structural steels. GB/T 1591 ↩

Citer comme Wayland Steel Editorial Team (2026). Understanding Metal Standards: ASTM, EN, JIS and GB Explained. Wayland Steel Insights. https://www.waylandsteel.com.cn/fr-fr/insights/understanding-metal-standards-astm-en-jis-gb/