ASTM B108/B108M-25 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM B108/B108M-25 — Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Permanent Mold Castings. This specification establishes requirements for registered aluminum-alloy permanent mold castings, covering alloy designations, chemical composition limits, casting and foundry controls, sampling and testing procedures, heat treatment, and provisions for purchaser/producer responsibilities and acceptance.

Abstract

This specification covers aluminum-alloy permanent mold castings intended for general-purpose applications. It specifies permissible variations in dimensions, methods for sampling and chemical analysis, provisions for use of recycled or primary materials, requirements for radiographic or other inspections for discontinuities, and guidance on cast test specimens and heat-treatment practices. It notes that the standard may not address the additional verification needed for highly loaded or safety-critical applications.

General information

• Status: Active / Current.
• Publication date: December 15, 2025 (listed as B108/B108M-25; store entry shows last updated January 7, 2026).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 77.150.10 — Aluminum and aluminum alloys (applies to permanent mold casting standards).
• Edition / version: B108/B108M-25 (metric “M” designation included as part of the standard).
• Number of pages: 22 pages.

Scope

The standard covers registered aluminum-alloy permanent mold castings commonly used in general-purpose applications, listing the designated alloys and their chemical composition limits. It addresses responsibilities for furnishing castings that can be machined to finished dimensions, sampling for chemical analysis, permitted use of foundry scrap and master alloys, radiographic or other examinations for internal discontinuities, requirements for separately cast test specimens, and conventions for units (inch-pound and SI) including the “M” designation. It also states that additional provisions may be required for highly loaded or safety-critical parts.

Key topics and requirements

• Coverage of registered aluminum alloys and designation tables (alloy and temper designations referenced to ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M)).
• Chemical composition limits for listed alloys and rounding/analysis rules for conformance (practice E29 rounding referenced).
• Foundry control and quality practices, including radiographic or other approved methods for detecting internal discontinuities until production practice is proven.
• Requirements for sampling and preparation of specimens for chemical analysis (sawing, drilling, or milling representative material).
• Provisions for separately cast test specimens, heat treatment procedures, and one tensile test per melt-heat combination when required.
• Unit systems and the “M” metric designation; unless specified, inch-pound units apply.
• Responsibilities and agreement between purchaser and producer on properties, testing, and process control for nonregistered alloys.

Typical use and users

Used by foundries producing permanent mold aluminum castings, procurement/specification engineers, quality and metallurgical engineers, product designers and manufacturers ordering or accepting aluminum permanent mold castings for general-purpose components (e.g., housings, brackets, and non-safety-critical structural parts). Also used as a baseline purchasing specification where specific mechanical-property or integrity testing for critical applications is not required.

Related standards

References and related documents commonly cited with this specification include ANSI H35.1/H35.1(M) for alloy/temper designations, Practice E527 for unified numbering/alloy designations in castings, Practice E29 for rounding procedures, and other ASTM casting and aluminum standards that govern testing, reporting, and material definitions. Previous editions (for historical comparison) include B108/B108M-18 and earlier revisions.

Keywords

Aluminum, permanent mold, castings, alloy designations, chemical composition, radiographic inspection, test specimens, heat treatment, ANSI H35.1, metric “M” designation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM B108/B108M-25 is the ASTM International standard specification for aluminum-alloy permanent mold castings, defining alloy designations, composition limits, foundry controls, testing, and purchaser/producer responsibilities for general-purpose castings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers registered aluminum-alloy permanent mold castings, chemical composition limits, sampling and testing procedures (including specimen casting and tensile testing per melt-heat combination when required), radiographic or other inspections for internal discontinuities, and unit conventions (inch-pound and SI with the “M” designation). It explicitly notes it may not address additional requirements for highly loaded or safety-critical parts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Foundries, quality/metallurgical engineers, procurement/specification teams, designers and manufacturers who specify or accept aluminum permanent mold castings for general-purpose applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The B108/B108M-25 edition is current (published December 15, 2025 and listed active in the ASTM store; store metadata shows a last-updated entry in January 2026). It supersedes earlier editions (for example B108/B108M-18). Users should confirm the edition required by their contract or procurement documents.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ASTM B series standards covering aluminum and nonferrous metal products and is commonly used alongside other ASTM and ANSI practices referenced in its text (for alloy designation, rounding, and testing practices).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Aluminum, permanent mold, casting, alloy designation, chemical limits, heat treatment, radiography, test specimen, purchaser–producer agreement, inch-pound/SI units.