ASTM B988-18 (2022) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Powder Metallurgy (PM) Titanium and Titanium Alloy Structural Components — ASTM B988-18 (designated B988-18(2022) in its 2022 editorial update). This specification establishes requirements for powder‑metallurgy structural components made from commercially pure titanium powders, pre‑alloyed powders, and mixtures of elemental and pre‑alloyed powders, and defines grades, mechanical and physical property requirements, inspection, and certification requirements for PM titanium structural parts.

Abstract

This specification covers PM structural components fabricated from commercially pure (CP) titanium powder, pre‑alloyed powders, and mixtures of elemental and pre‑alloyed powders. It addresses ordering information; materials and manufacture; chemical composition requirements; tensile, physical and mechanical property requirements; dimensional and mass tolerances; permissible variations; sampling and inspection procedures; and certification. The standard defines multiple PM grades (unalloyed Grades 1–4 and alloy Grades 5, 9 and others such as Ti‑6Al‑4V PM variants).

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: Original publication: November 1, 2018; current designation/reaffirmation shown as 2022 (document referenced as B988-18(2022), ASTM record updated September 2022).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 77.160 (Powder metallurgy).
• Edition / version: B988-18 (2018), published with 2022 designation B988-18(2022).
• Number of pages: 4 pages.

Scope

The standard applies to powder‑metallurgy structural components produced from: (1) commercially pure (unalloyed) titanium powder; (2) pre‑alloyed powders; and (3) mixtures of elemental powders or mixtures of elemental and pre‑alloyed powders. It covers PM Grades 1–4 (unalloyed) and alloy grades including Grade 5 (Ti‑6Al‑4V), Grade 9 (Ti‑3Al‑2.5V), Ti‑6Al‑4V PM Low Interstitial (LI), and Ti‑6Al‑6V‑2Sn PM; and it specifies SI units as the standard measurement system. The specification addresses requirements from ordering to certification, including chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, dimensions, permissible variations, sampling and inspection.

Key topics and requirements

• Material definitions: permitted powder types (CP, pre‑alloyed, mixtures) and grade designations.
• Chemical composition limits and requirements for each PM grade.
• Tensile and mechanical property requirements (minimum tensile strength, yield/offset values as required per grade and condition).
• Physical properties and density/porosity considerations for PM components.
• Dimensions, mass, and permissible variations/tolerances for finished components.
• Manufacturing and post‑processing references: compaction, sintering, HIP (hot isostatic pressing), and possible forging steps where applicable.
• Sampling, inspection, testing methods, and certification/reporting requirements for purchaser and manufacturer acceptance.
• SI units prescribed as the standard measurement system for the document.

Typical use and users

Used by powder‑metallurgy producers, component manufacturers, design and stress engineers, quality and inspection personnel, procurement specialists, and end‑users in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, defense, and other industries that require titanium structural parts produced by PM routes. The standard is referenced when specifying PM titanium parts, setting procurement acceptance criteria, or creating inspection and certification plans for PM titanium structural components.

Related standards

Commonly associated or cross‑referenced titanium and PM standards include other ASTM titanium product and processing specifications (for example ASTM B265 — titanium strip, sheet and plate; ASTM B348 — titanium bar and billet; ASTM B381 — titanium forgings), medical and implant specifications (ASTM F67, ASTM F136) and relevant AMS/ISO specifications for titanium alloys and powder processes. These related documents are often used together with B988 when specifying, processing or qualifying PM titanium parts.

Keywords

powder metallurgy; PM titanium; Ti‑6Al‑4V; Ti alloys; structural components; HIP; sintering; compaction; density; tensile requirements; inspection; certification; PM grades; ASTM B988.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B988-18 (designated B988-18(2022) in the 2022 update) is a short ASTM specification that defines requirements for powder‑metallurgy (PM) titanium and titanium‑alloy structural components, covering permitted powder types, PM grades, mechanical/physical requirements, dimensional tolerances, inspection, and certification.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers PM structural components made from commercially pure titanium powders, pre‑alloyed powders, and mixtures of powders; defines Grade 1–4 (unalloyed) and alloy grades (for example Grade 5, Grade 9 and Ti‑6Al‑4V PM variants); and specifies chemical, tensile, physical property, dimensional, sampling, inspection and certification requirements. SI units are the standard used in the document.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: PM producers, manufacturers of titanium parts, procurement and quality engineers, test laboratories, and designers in aerospace, automotive, medical, defense and other industries that require PM titanium structural components.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The standard is active. The base designation is B988-18 (published November 1, 2018) and the document is shown with a 2022 designation/update (B988-18(2022)); ASTM records indicate an update/reaffirmation in September 2022. Users should check the official ASTM record for the latest maintenance status before placing firm specifications.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ASTM's B‑committee series for titanium and metal powders and is one of several product and processing specifications for titanium (others cover wrought products, forgings, plates, medical implant grades, and related PM/processing practices). It is often used in conjunction with those product standards and with applicable AMS and ISO documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Powder metallurgy, titanium, Ti‑6Al‑4V, PM grades, HIP, sintering, compaction, tensile requirements, inspection, certification.