This ASTM column is a bit different from previous ones that delved into testing standards and their foibles, histories, how-to instructions, and analytical results. The main theme of this writing is terminology—which, when dissected, leads to exact meaning, precise communication, and a clear understanding of the definitions assigned to various technologies and technical standards.
Each of the more than 140 ASTM Committees has an important standard in the library that is often ignored. This standard governs definitions for each subject category, and yet, it generally goes unnoticed during most Committee Weeks. Often people become aware of this standard when one of their customers questions a specific issue by quoting one of the definitions. Known as the Editorial and Terminology Standards, they are filled with technical, trade, and industry definitions of words found within the technical standards. And, as the Led Zeppelin song states— you must read carefully—“because sometimes words have two meanings.”
For example, ASTM D16 is the primary standard governing the main committee relevant to our industry, ASTM Committee D01 on Paint, Related Coatings, and Materials. This standard is the first one in Volume 06.01. However, due to the diverse and highly technical subject matter associated with paints, coatings, and materials, there are also specialized terminology standards under the jurisdiction of D01. These include:
- D804 Terminology Relating to Pine Chemicals Including Tall Oil and Related Products (Volume 06.03)
- D1695 Terminology of Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives (Volume 06.03)
- D6440 Terminology Related to Hydrocarbon Resins (Volume 06.01)
- D6488 Terminology Relating to Print Problems (Volume 06.02)
- D7188 Terminology for Printing Inks, Materials and Processes (Volume 06.02)
- E284 Terminology of Appearance (Volume 06.01)
Each of the specialized standards augments the main Committee D01 standards. While the specialized standards may be in separate print volumes, all terms are identified in one place in the online Terminology Dictionary on the ASTM website. The main reason for the specialized standards is to further refine definitions as needed for subject specificity.
The scope description of these critical standards is that of a compilation of terminology relevant to the technical details espoused within the committee or specialized standard subject matter. These definitions identify and precisely define the words used within the context of the science being examined.
For clarity and simplicity, a definition is a prescribed single sentence that can be augmented by discussion notes as needed. However, the goal is to define a term as precisely as possible—defined with as few words as needed for a precise explanation. If a definition gets too wordy, too long, or too detailed, much of the understanding of the term is lost. In fact, a definition with more than one sentence is prohibited by the ASTM Form and Style Manual and is sure to receive a negative vote.
Even so, sometimes even the simplest definitions need a little more context. In that case, a discussion section can be added, which can be as long and as detailed as needed.
A term is included within a terminology standard only after the task group within the responsible subcommittee has reviewed it and reached the consensus that it is either a generally used term (such as in D16) or a descriptive term used in a specific technical area (such as D7188).
The process for publishing a definition begins with the term being voted on within the entire subcommittee. If it passes without any negative votes, it is then balloted again within the main committee. The main committee vote either validates the definition or returns it to the subcommittee for review and revision if there are negative votes. It is important to note that all negatives must be addressed—even those from outside the submitting committee—before final acceptance. Definitions may be identical to those published by other committees or may vary in meaning depending upon the scientific context. The terminology section on the ASTM website provides the location of definitions for every term within all the Editorial and Terminology Standards, highlighting those that have disparate or similar meanings across different technologies.
Some of the ASTM Committees have comparatively fewer Editorial and Terminology Standards than Committee D01, allowing for an easy review of all individual definitions every five years. In Committee A05 on Metallic-Coated Iron and Steel Products, each term also includes the date of original publication. This makes it quite easy to review a term every five years based on its “birthday.” Because technology changes, manufacturing processes evolve, and steel chemistries are added and subtracted, this makes for a timely modernization of definitions. Note that this committee is also one of the smaller ones with 49 definitions with no additional specialized terminology standards and is considered an ideal case.
Others, such as the D01 Committee Standards on Paint and Coatings, have hundreds of definitions—as represented by more than 600 standards and a total of seven Editorial and Terminology Standards. In this case, practicality demands that definitions tend to be reviewed as technical standards become obsolete, or items within reviewed standards change—as the normal five-year review of hundreds of individual terms is impossible at this point.
New definitions are added as technologies emerge or if new standards contain undefined terms. Sometimes, well-known trade staples such as “pot life” were never defined within the terminology standard (or even within the standard that utilized the term). They were added well after the terms were used for decades, often when someone did a thorough five-year review of one of the associated technical standards or had an argument with a customer. As a result, these huge terminology standards often have legacy terms that have remained even though the definitions have long expired. A thorough review of the D01 Committee standard would take the work of many people with a good depth of understanding of technical standards and practices, along with quite a bit of volunteer time.
To combat the seeming invisibility of Editorial and Terminology Standards, ASTM has taken steps to enhance awareness throughout the organization. One of those steps is a renewed focus during the prescribed five-year review of all technical standards as they come due to ensure that the Terminology Section within each committee (and thereby each standard) is robust and up to date. This was also codified in the newest ASTM Form and Style Manual. Some older working standards had completely omitted a terminology section in the past and are currently being revised accordingly.
Each standard identifies key terms, which are then incorporated into the main committee standard, lending precision to the wording in each procedure. It is helpful to precisely define the term within the context of the relevant section. More importantly, individual technical standard terminology sections should be mirrored in the Editorial and Terminology Standards. The added advantage is that this focus allows for a practical way to review even the longest list of standing definitions allowing for adjustments, deletions, and additions, hitherto relatively impossible.
Most people are excited to work on technical standards that govern testing, equipment, and scientific analysis. Unfortunately, terminology is usually a stepchild, as wordsmithery, wordplay, and precise definitions are not as “interesting” to those locked into process flow, new material development, or experimental details. Even so, standards are only as good as the words implemented, and testing is based on precisely communicating concepts, making terminology an important part of ASTM.
Full disclosure, I am the chair of both the Committee A05 and D01 Editorial and Terminology Subcommittees (Subcommittees A05.11 and D01.18, respectively), as I have always been interested in describing processes and concepts and precise definitions. We are always looking for volunteer subcommittee participants who are interested in reviewing terms and solidifying and debating the merits of old, new, or revamped definitions. This applies across the board to all 146 committees governing everything from aromatics to zinc.
If you would like to contribute your expertise to a committee, joining is easy. The ASTM website provides a seamless way to connect with the organization and select committees of interest. A nominal fee of $115 per year entitles each member to a free printed or electronic ASTM standards volume of choice, free attendance for the twice-yearly committee meetings, and unlimited networking opportunities in your field or tangential and completely different fields of interest. These are individual memberships, so you can join and represent your company or industry independently.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please feel free to email me with any questions or comments. If you are interested in joining one of the many Main Committees, and hopefully also lend your expertise to one of the Editorial and Terminology subcommittees, please go to the ASTM website at https://www.astm.org/get-involved/membership.html. There you will find all kinds of information about membership and member resources. Looking forward to seeing you at the next Committee Week meeting.
To learn more, contact the author at cgosselin@chemquest.com.