Automotive Supply Chain

In an industry where precision means safety and reliability determines success, ASTM International standards provide the foundation for automotive innovation.

ASTM International’s comprehensive framework of automotive standards represents the industry benchmark, covering everything from fuel quality and materials durability to safety testing protocols and environmental compliance.

Companies implementing ASTM digital and PDF standards consistently report reduced development cycles through standardized processes.

Supplier qualification becomes more efficient with clear, communicable specifications, and market access expands through internationally recognized compliance credentials.

These advantages translate directly to improved time-to-market and enhanced product differentiation.

Our standards are developed through rigorous consensus processes involving leading industry experts, ensuring they address real-world applications with practical, implementable frameworks.

To supply the automotive sector steel manufacturers often depend upon test methods developed by ASTM International membership of 1,300+ steel industry professionals. ASTM’s steel standards cover about 500 materials specifications and test methods.

To test the readiness and integrity of steel for the rigors of automotive production, manufacturers use such steel industry standards as the test methods and definitions for mechanical testing of steel products (A370 – Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products), which are particularly useful in determining the strength and ductility of steel.

Automotive material suppliers also rely on standards of ASTM International Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing to meet quality control demands. Across its several subcommittees, E28 maintains almost 60 standards that address ductility and formability, indentation hardness, impact and residual stress — all critical requirements for automotive materials.

One widely referenced E28 standard contains the test methods for tension testing of metallic materials (E8/E8M). During automotive manufacturing, flat- rolled metals are shaped into finished car designs. Tension tests provide a valuable reference for suppliers to measure the strength and ductility of materials under uniaxial tensile stresses, information used in material comparison, alloy development, quality control and design.

Another key automotive material consideration is springback, which occurs when a metal or alloy is cold-worked; on release of the forming force, the material tends to partially return to its original shape because of elastic recovery properties.

To respond to marketplace needs, Committee E28 released the test method for evaluating springback of sheet metal using the Demeri split ring test (E2492). Developed with input from automotive industry stakeholders, E2492 provides a test to evaluate metal springback behavior through simulating a stretch-draw forming process.

One important factor that impacts vehicle service life is a car’s finish and its ability to withstand corrosion or other degradation. Thanks to many standards from ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications, consumers can trust that the luster and durability of
their car’s finish can stand the test of time. Formed in 1902, D01 today has a diverse membership of 625+ global stakeholders and a portfolio of more than 650 standards. Among its technical subcommittees, one of the most prominent ones addressing automotive sector standards requirements is D01.27 on
Accelerated Testing.

D01.27 provides standards to evaluate film performance of applied paint and finishes subjected to accelerated deterioration in normal and abnormal service environments. Improvements in automotive coating performance and durability can be attributed in part to the group’s accelerated test procedures. One popular D01.27 standard for automotive applications is the practice for xenon-arc exposures of paint and related coatings (D6695), which simulates the effects of sunlight, moisture and heat on paints. A popular weathering and corrosion test procedure is the practice for cyclic salt fog/UV exposure of painted metal (D5894), which blends cyclic corrosion testing with the evaluation of ultraviolet exposure of paints on metal.

Extreme weather conditions are the focus of another widely referenced D01.27 standard, the practice for salt-accelerated outdoor cosmetic corrosion testing of organic coatings on automotive sheet steel (D6675). D6675 helps to evaluate the corrosion resistance of organic coatings on metal products exposed to highly salty environments such as areas subjected to deicing salts or coastal areas.

Complementing D01 activities in serving automotive standards needs are those of ASTM International Committee G03 on Weathering and Durability. G03 publishes more than 30 standards, many of which provide utility for automotive manufacturers and suppliers in measuring the performance of automotive paint and coatings, and interior dashboard materials, in varying weathering exposures. Many D01 material standards reference G03 weathering standards for guidance on specimen conditioning and preparation as well as for specifying laboratory accelerated test apparatus and natural outdoor exposure protocols

Key G03 performance standards include a practice for exposing nonmetallic materials in accelerated test devices that use laboratory light sources (G151); a practice for operating open flame carbon arc light apparatus for exposure of nonmetallic materials (G152); and a practice for operating fluorescent light apparatus for UV exposure of nonmetallic materials (G154). All of these standards help measure the effects of sunlight (either direct or through window glass), moisture such as rain or dew, and heat on automotive components.

For over 40 years, ASTM Committee F09 on Tires has been the preeminent source for tire safety standards widely accepted worldwide. Committee F09’s members include a broad cross section of industry and public stakeholders who work together to create critical tire performance test methods. F09 has a long history of delivering the relevant, high quality standards that guide tire-related regulatory requirements set forth by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A recent significant F09 focus has been the testing and measurement of tire aging because of increased tire wear life and resulting additional industry and regulatory interest in the subject. The U.S. Congress formalized this need when it passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, which calls for an upgrade of tire safety standards, including an aged durability test for light vehicle tires.

Subcommittee F09.30 on Laboratory (Non-Vehicular) Testing responded with a practice for accelerated laboratory aging of radial passenger car and light truck tires through load range E for the laboratory generation of belt separation (F2838). A standard has also been completed that describes a laboratory method to generate belt edge separation in tires undergoing accelerated aging according to F2838 (F3015).

With more than 2,300 members from over 70 countries, ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants benefits from global expertise that has produced more than 800 standards accepted worldwide.

Virtually any product that requires fuels or operates on moving parts depends on standards developed by D02’s technical subcommittees. Highlighting the D02 portfolio are standards that provide for safe, economical and environmentally sound fuels. These include the test method for motor octane number of spark-ignition engine fuel (D2700) and the specification for automotive spark-ignition engine fuel (D4814), both of which help ensure good gasoline performance.

As momentum continues to build for alternative fuels, Committee D02 has established a leadership position in standards for fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is widely used in the United States as a gasoline extender and octane number enhancer; it also helps to reduce harmful emissions. Committee D02 has contributed standards that assist in the production of ethanol, including the specification
for ethanol fuel blends for flexible-fuel automotive spark-ignition engines (D5798), the specification for denatured fuel ethanol for blending with gasolines for use as automotive spark-ignition engine fuel (D4806), and the practice for blending mid-level ethanol fuel blends for flexible-fuel vehicles with automotive spark- ignition engines (D7794). Biodiesel is an alternative fuel comprised of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. D02’s flagship standards here are the specification for diesel fuel oils (D975), the specification for biodiesel fuel blend stock (B100) for middle distillate fuels (D6751) and the specification for diesel fuel oil, biodiesel blend — B6 to B20 (D7467). Committee D02 also provides standards that address the oil, and lubricants and greases, used in automotive engines. The performance of motor oil to cool engine parts, reduce friction and protect against wear and corrosion is supported by D02 standards such as the specification for performance of active API service category engine oils (D4485).

Join ASTM as an individual or organization. As an ASTM member, you’ll gain a vital voice in the standards that directly impact your industry. Below are some of the ASTM committess working directly with organizations throughout the automotive supply chain.

• A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys
• B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications
• D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels and Lubricants
• D13 on Textiles
• D15 on Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• E28 on Mechanical Testing
• F09 on Tiresv
• F16 on Fasteners
• G03 on Weathering and Durability