AS9132
Data Matrix Quality Requirements for Parts Marking
Defines aerospace quality and technical requirements for Data Matrix marking on metallic parts by dot peen, laser, and electrochemical etching.
What AS9132 specifies
AS9132 provides uniform aerospace requirements for Data Matrix symbols directly marked on metallic parts. It supplements ISO/IEC 16022 encoding rules and covers dot peening, laser marking, and electrochemical etching, but does not specify the data to encode. Evaluation is largely geometric and pass/fail, addressing cell size and fill, dot-center offset, ovality, angle distortion, finder pattern, surface texture, marking location, and process-control plans. Common dot-peen limits include roughly 60–105% cell fill, up to 20% dot-center offset, and up to 20% ovality. Use ISO/IEC 29158 when a full optical DPM grade is contractually required.
Tests and the drawing call-out
Tests the document imposes
- Decode and Data Matrix construction
- Cell or dot size and fill
- Dot-center offset
- Dot ovality
- Angle distortion and finder-pattern geometry
- Marking-process qualification and preventive-maintenance controls
How to cite it
Drawing call-out
APPLY DATA MATRIX DIRECT PART MARK PER AS9132, METHOD <DOT PEEN|LASER|ELECTROCHEMICAL>, SIZE <SIZE>, LOCATION <LOCATION>Angle brackets mark the choices the drawing must make; every finish page shows a completed example.
Finishes specified to AS9132
Also referenced by: Dot Peen Marking, Laser Marking.
AS9132 — frequently asked
Does AS9132 define the encoded data?
No. It controls mark quality and process considerations; the customer or identification standard defines the data.
Which marking processes are covered?
Dot peening, laser marking, and electrochemical etching are explicitly covered.
Is AS9132 an ISO-style 0–4 optical grade?
No. It is primarily geometric and pass/fail. Use ISO/IEC 29158 when a formal direct-part-mark verifier grade is needed.
AS9132 is copyrighted by SAE International. This page explains the document so a drawing can be read; it does not reproduce the standard. Purchase the current edition from the publisher. Official source ↗