This guide can be used to facilitate categorizing wear data for insertion into a computerized database. This guide identifies a set of essential data fields which should be provided for all records, and also identifies additional optional data fields. This guide does not require the use of any particular database format, nor does it endorse any particular computer database software.

Because of increased activity in building computerized databases and the desire to encourage their uniformity and therefore the ease of data comparison and data interchange, it is appropriate to provide a guide for the inclusion of wear test data in databases. Availability of a guide also encourages the builders of databases to include sufficiently complete information so that comparisons among individual sources may be made with assurance that similarities or differences, or both, in the wear test procedures and conditions are covered.

The set of data fields described in this guide will usually be expanded and customized by the user for specific purposes. It should be possible to arrange the additional fields within the logical structure that is presented in this guide.

This guide does not apply to data from rolling contact wear tests, galling tests, or erosion or cavitation tests. Data that are included should apply to standard tests or to steady-state wear.

This guide has no implication on data required for materials production or purchase. Reporting of actual test results should be as described in the actual material specification or as agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer, as shown on the purchase order and acknowledgement.