Plate, sheet and strip
A240/A240M covers chromium and chromium-nickel stainless flat products for pressure vessels and general applications; A480/A480M supplies general requirements.
Technical guide
ASTM Stainless Steel Standards
ASTM stainless steel standards are product-specific. Grade, product form, manufacturing route, dimensions, condition, tests and the applicable edition must be stated together.
Flat productsA240 plus A480
Pipe and tubeUse the product-specific specification
Order controlStandard, edition and supplementary requirements
Decision summary
Start with product form and service
A grade designation alone does not select the governing ASTM specification. The same alloy can appear in different standards with different manufacturing and test requirements.
General bars and shapes
A276/A276M covers hot-finished or cold-finished bars and common shapes.
Pressure-use bars
A479/A479M is used for bars and shapes for boilers and other pressure vessels.
Austenitic pipe
A312/A312M covers seamless, welded and heavily cold-worked austenitic stainless pipe.
General-service tubing
A269/A269M covers seamless and welded austenitic stainless tubing for general service.
Surface treatment
A380/A380M addresses cleaning, descaling, pickling and passivation practices; A967/A967M specifies chemical passivation treatments for parts.
Reference table
Common ASTM stainless steel standards by product
The editions shown were listed as active by ASTM in September 2026. Buyers must confirm the contract-required edition and any referenced general-requirement standard.
| Standard | Current listed edition | Primary scope | RFQ check |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A240/A240M | 2026 | Stainless plate, sheet and strip | Grade, dimensions, finish, condition, tests |
| ASTM A480/A480M | 2025b | General requirements for stainless flat products | Units, tolerances, finish, ordering options |
| ASTM A276/A276M | 2025 | Stainless bars and shapes | Form, condition, dimensions, mechanical properties |
| ASTM A479/A479M | 2025 | Bars and shapes for boilers and pressure vessels | Code basis, grade, condition, tests |
| ASTM A312/A312M | 2025 | Austenitic seamless, welded and heavily cold-worked pipe | TP grade, NPS, schedule, route, heat treatment, tests |
| ASTM A269/A269M | 2025 | Austenitic tubing for general service | Grade, OD, wall, route, heat treatment, testing |
| ASTM A554 | 2026 | Welded stainless mechanical tubing | Shape, OD, wall, finish, weld and mechanical use |
| ASTM A967/A967M | 2025 | Chemical passivation treatments for stainless parts | Treatment, test practice, lot and acceptance |
This table summarizes scope only and does not reproduce a standard. Purchase and apply the licensed document named by the contract.
Working method
Write an ASTM-controlled purchase line
A reproducible order identifies both the material specification and the commercial details that the standard leaves to the purchaser.
Select the product specification
Choose the standard whose scope matches plate, sheet, strip, bar, pipe, tube, forging, casting or fastener.
State designation and edition
Write ASTM number, M suffix where required, edition, grade or UNS and delivered condition.
Complete ordering information
Add dimensions, tolerances, finish, manufacturing route, heat treatment, ends, quantity and packaging.
Invoke tests explicitly
List supplementary requirements, NDT, PMI, corrosion tests, inspection document, witness points and acceptance criteria.
Limits and escalation
Avoid standard-number shortcuts
A grade is not a product standard
Type 304 or UNS S30400 does not identify plate, pipe, tube or bar requirements.
General requirements may also apply
A240 flat products rely on A480 for many ordering and general requirements.
M and inch-pound systems are separate
ASTM dual-unit standards warn against combining values from the two systems.
Edition and code adoption matter
A design code, regulator or customer may mandate a specific edition instead of the latest listing.
Interactive planning aid
Find the first ASTM standard to review
Choose the product. The result identifies a starting specification and the details still needed for procurement.
Frequently asked questions
ASTM stainless steel standards FAQ
ASTM A240/A240M commonly covers stainless plate, sheet and strip, while ASTM A480/A480M provides general requirements. Confirm the grade and intended application.
It is a product specification for austenitic stainless pipe. Standardized stainless pipe dimensions are commonly referenced through ASME B36.19.
In ASTM dual-designation standards, the M suffix identifies the SI-unit version. The standard explains how the unit systems are to be applied.
No. They establish product requirements. The designer still selects grade, product, code basis, corrosion allowance and other service-specific requirements.
Method, sources and review
Traceable sources and review status
Official current listing of ASTM steel specifications and test methods.
Official scope for stainless plate, sheet and strip.
Official scope for austenitic stainless pipe.
Official practice for cleaning, descaling, pickling and passivation.
ASTM listings change as standards are revised. Confirm the active or contract-mandated edition directly with ASTM and the governing design code before ordering.
ASTM standards context
Select the ASTM document with the product form and acceptance clauses.
An ASTM designation should be read with its edition, product scope, grade, dimensions, testing and supplementary requirements before being used in a purchase specification.
- Product scope
- Test requirements
- Acceptance clauses
Visual process context
Make the product form and conformance evidence visible.
Reserve one image for the applicable product form and another for the documentation or inspection route that supports final acceptance.
Engineering and sourcing support
Build an ASTM-complete stainless inquiry
Send product form, ASTM standard and edition, grade, condition, dimensions, finish, tests, documents, quantity and destination.