ASTM B221M : 21 New ASTM DRM Policy

1.1 This specification covers aluminum and aluminum-alloy extruded bars, rods, wires, profiles, and tubes in the aluminum alloys (Note 1) and tempers shown in Table 2.

Note 1: Throughout this specification, the use of the term alloy in the general sense includes aluminum as well as aluminum alloy.

Note 2: For rolled or cold-finished bars and rods refer to Specification B211/B211M; for drawn seamless tube used in pressure applications, Specification B210/B210M; for structural pipe and tube, Specification B429/B429M; and for seamless pipe and tube used in pressure applications, Specification B241/B241M.

Note 3: Pipe and tube products listed in this specification are intended for general purpose applications. This specification may not address the manufacturing processes, integrity testing, and verification required for fluid-carrying applications involving pressure. See Specification B210/B210M, B241/B241M as appropriate for seamless pipe and tube used in fluid-carrying applications involving pressure. See Specification B234M, as appropriate, for use in surface condensers, evaporators, and heat exchangers.

1.2 Alloy and temper designations are in accordance with ANSI H35.1/H35.1M. The equivalent Unified Numbering System alloy designations are those of Table 1 preceded by A9; for example, A91100 for Aluminum 1100 in accordance with Practice E527.

1.3 For acceptance criteria for inclusion of new aluminum and aluminum alloys in this specification, see Annex A2.

1.4 This specification is the metric counterpart of Specification B221 (B221M).

1.5 The values stated in SI are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this specification.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standard Details, Guides, and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

What ASTM B221 means for aluminum extrusions

ASTM B221 is the standard specification for aluminum and aluminum-alloy extruded bars, rods, wires, profiles, and tubes. It defines alloy and temper designations, chemical composition limits, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and manufacturing requirements for extrusions used in construction, transportation, aerospace, and manufacturing. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

It ensures consistent quality, predictable mechanical performance, and clear expectation between mills, fabricators, and end-users. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Standardized approach vs inconsistent extrusion quality

1. Before ASTM B221: extrusion quality varied widely with inconsistent alloy chemistry, wall thickness, surface finish, and mechanical strength.
2. With ASTM B221: alloy series, mechanical requirements, extruded shapes, tempers, and tolerances are standardized, enabling reliable supply chain performance. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Video credit: Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) on YouTube.

Core building blocks of ASTM B221

1. Alloys & tempers: covers multiple aluminum alloy series (1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 6000, 7000 etc.), with various tempers such as T5, T6, T6511 providing a range of mechanical and corrosion properties. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
2. Chemical composition: strict limits on alloying elements to control strength, corrosion resistance, and workability. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
3. Mechanical properties: defined tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and other relevant properties depending on alloy and temper. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
4. Dimensional tolerances & profile types: extruded bars, rods, tubes, profiles with consistent wall thickness, straightness, and dimensional accuracy. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
5. Manufacturing & testing: requirements for extrusion process, heat treatment, mechanical testing, certification, and quality documentation. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

High-value use cases of ASTM B221 extrusions

1. Construction and architecture: window & curtain-wall frames, railings, façade profiles, structural framing.
2. Transportation industry: vehicle bodies, structural components, lightweight frames, EV battery housings.
3. Aerospace & defense: structural profiles, components needing high strength-to-weight ratio and strict alloy/temper control.
4. Industrial & machine structures: machine frames, structural supports, modular systems using extruded profiles.
5. Electrical & thermal applications: bus bars, heat sinks, enclosures, enclosures requiring corrosion resistance and conductivity.

Video credit: corematerials on YouTube.

Integration with related standards & specifications

1. Use with ASTM B241/B241M for seamless tubes & pipes when fluid/pressure applications are required. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
2. For rolled or cold-finished bars/rods, refer to ASTM B211/B211M. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
3. For structural or architectural standards, ensure compliance with finishing, surface treatment, and associated building or manufacturing codes. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

How to choose the right ASTM B221 alloy & temper

1. 6063-T5/T6: ideal for architectural extrusions requiring good surface finish and moderate strength.
2. 6061-T6/T6511: suitable for structural components requiring higher strength and machinability.
3. 6005A / 6082: good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and formability for transport and specialty profiles.
4. 7000-series (e.g. 7075): high strength-to-weight ratio for aerospace or high-performance applications (use carefully considering weldability and corrosion resistance).
5. Temper consideration: T5 (natural aging), T6/T6511 (artificial aging + stress relief) depending on strength and dimensional stability requirement.

Deployment timeline and cost benchmarks

1. Week 1: finalize alloy, temper, profile geometry, and surface finish requirements.
2. Weeks 2–3: prepare extrusion die, confirm alloy certification, schedule production.
3. Weeks 4–6: extrude profiles, perform mechanical & dimensional testing, issue certification paperwork (MTRs).
4. Budget tip: standardizing on common alloys (e.g. 6063, 6061) reduces tooling cost, scrap, and simplifies procurement.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

1. Specifying generic “aluminum extrusion” without alloy/temper: lead to unpredictable mechanical or corrosion performance.
2. Mismatched temper selection: using a low-strength alloy/temper where structural load is higher can cause failures.
3. Poor dimensional tolerances or lack of finishing spec: may cause assembly or fit problems.
4. No certification test results: always request MTRs and ensure alloy/temper is explicitly per ASTM B221. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Case study: extrusion efficiency improved by 18%

A manufacturing plant standardized all extruded profiles to 6063-T6 and 6005A alloys under ASTM B221 specifications.

1. Scrap rate dropped due to consistent material properties and dimensional accuracy.
2. Production output increased by about 18% as extrusion runs became more predictable.
3. Surface finishing quality improved, reducing rework and improving deliverable consistency.

Next steps and additional resources

1. Obtain ASTM B221 (or B221M for metric) from ASTM or via BSB Edge library.
2. Establish a standardized alloy/temper list for your organization based on recurring use-cases.
3. Set up incoming inspection protocols—including MTR review, dimensional checks, and mechanical testing where needed.
4. Link extrusion standards with downstream fabrication, coating, or assembly standards for seamless workflow compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ASTM B221?
It is the standard specification for aluminum and aluminum-alloy extruded bars, rods, wires, profiles, and tubes. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

2. What alloys are covered under B221?
Multiple series including 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 6000, 7000 — offering a wide range of strength, corrosion resistance, and formability options. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

3. What forms does it cover?
Extruded bars, rods, wire, profiles, and tubes (solid and hollow). :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

4. Where can I get ASTM B221?
From ASTM International or a standards subscription library like BSB Edge. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Need ASTM B221 for your next extrusion project?

Start a BSB Edge subscription today and access ASTM B221, its metric companion B221M, and all related aluminum standards with full traceability and documentation support.