Build a clear material specification
Illustrations explain common forms. Grade, composition and the supplied condition determine what you actually buy.
- Metal, alloy or chemical composition, plus the applicable standard and revision.
- Product form, dimensions, tolerances, finish and heat treatment or temper.
- Quantity, unit, minimum order, net weight and permitted weight variation.
- Origin, manufacturer, heat or lot numbers and evidence of title.
- Inspection certificate, assay method, independent sampling and rejection limits.
- Packaging, moisture protection and dangerous goods or waste classification where applicable.
- Incoterms® 2020 rule, exact named place, dispatch date and insurance responsibilities.
- Price basis, currency, benchmark date, premium, taxes, payment instrument and validity.
Grade examples are not interchangeable
Steel DC01, stainless 304, aluminium 6061-T6, copper C11000 and titanium Grade 5 describe different material systems. Equivalence across ASTM, EN, JIS and other standards needs technical confirmation. A composition match alone does not establish equivalent mechanical performance.
Understand the price basis
Precious metal references are commonly per troy ounce; industrial metal benchmarks may use tonnes, kilograms or pounds. A reference price does not include alloy premiums, fabrication, location premiums, recovery yield, freight or tax. Do not price concentrates or scrap as if they were refined metal.
Research basis: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. This directory groups procurement categories; it is not an exhaustive chemical element list or a promise that every material is legally tradeable in every market.