Research Guides: Mechanical Engineering: Standards

About Standards

What are standards?

Standards are documented agreements which contain technical specifications or other precise criteria used consistently as rules, guidelines, or definitions of characteristics, to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.

Who produces them?

Scientific and professional organizations such as the ASTM, ASME, IEEE, trade organizations, and governments produce standards. In the United States, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates many standards producing organizations. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards.

Databases with Standards

Knovel This link opens in a new window
Knovel is a library of science and engineering ebooks, articles, handbooks, and datasets.
ASTM Compass This link opens in a new window
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ASTM Compass (ASTM International Digital Library) is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.
The database link will resolve to the homepage of ASTM Compass. To look for a specific journal, enter the journal title in the search bar and you will then be redirected to that specific journal.

Standards Organizations

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for more than 80 years.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. Links to standards, standards background information, and sources for purchasing standards.
American Society for Testing and Materials Standards International (ASTM)
One of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world. Search more than 11,000 ASTM standards in many different areas.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 160 countries. It is a non-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors.
ASHRAE-American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditoning Engineers
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers advances technology to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Membership is open to any person associated with the field

Gateways to Standards

ASSIST QuickSearch
Provides direct access to Defense and Federal specifications and standards available in the official DoD repository. Search by document ID or number, title, or FSC/standardization area.