Introduction to the GOST Designation System

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Understanding the GOST Standard System

The term GOST (Russian: ГОСТ) stands for gosudarstvennyy standart, which translates to "state standard". Initially developed by the government of the former Soviet Union, GOST formed a central part of the national industrial standardization strategy. These standards remain in use today and serve as technical regulations in Russia and several other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Countries currently using or referencing GOST standards include: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan.

GOST and GOST R: Standard Types and Applications

The GOST designation identifies technical standards still active across the CIS. In contrast, GOST R refers specifically to Russia's national standards and certification program for commercial products.

Each GOST standard for metals and alloys consists of two parts:

• A serial number, and
• A year of issue (e.g., GOST 1577-70).

The serial number typically remains unchanged during revisions, while the issue year is updated to reflect the latest revision. Standard numbers often suggest general application areas such as constructional steels or spring materials, so the same alloy may appear in multiple standards based on its usage.

Comparison to Western Systems and Naming Conventions

The GOST standards for metals and alloys are roughly analogous to U.S. specifications like ASTM, SAE, or AISI. These standards group chemical compositions and performance criteria under alloy classes.

Though relatively straightforward, the GOST composition-designation system includes nuances. Letter meanings vary by alloy type, leading to potential confusion. For example:

• "M" stands for molybdenum in steels,
• But represents copper in aluminum and copper alloys.

Interpreting GOST Alloy Designations

Most GOST designations are presented in uppercase letters, but careful attention is needed for combinations that include both upper and lowercase letters. For instance:

• Mts (M4) in aluminum and copper alloys means manganese,
• M (M) alone refers to copper,
• Ts (W) (uppercase W) represents zinc.

Additionally, Cyrillic letters are sometimes misread as numerals:

• Cyrillic Z (З) can be mistaken for the number 3,
• Cyrillic a (о) may resemble 0 (zero),
• Soviet linotype operators often substituted letters and numerals interchangeably.

Table 1. Dual Meanings of Cyrillic Letters in GOST Alloy Designations

Cyrillic Letter	Corresp. Latin Letter	Steels	Tool Steels	Aluminum Alloys	Nickel Alloys	Copper Alloys	Metals
A	A	Nitrogen		Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
A*	A	High-quality steel
Ю	Yu
Б	B	Niobium (Columbium)		Beryllium	Beryllium
В	V	Tungsten		Wrought alloy with non-alloying addition
Д	D	Copper		Duralumin
M	M	Molybdenum		Copper	Copper	Copper
Г	G	Manganese
K	K	Cobalt			Silicon	Silicon	Calcium
C	S	Silicon				Lead	Calcium
Ф	F	Vanadium
P	R	Boron	High-speed Steel
Бp	Br					Bronze
Ц	Ts	Zirconium		Zinc		Zinc
П	P	Phosphorus
З	Z	Sulfur
Зл	Zl						Gold
Пд	Pd						Palladium
Пт	Pt						Platinum
O**	O

* Asterisked entries are special cases
** Letters that may be confused with numerals

GOST Standards Across Material Categories

The GOST system encompasses a wide range of material categories. A complete list includes:

• Irons
• Structural and Constructional Steels
• Stainless Steels
• Castings
• Forgings
• Coated Steels
• Welding and Filler Materials
• Powder Metallurgy / Sintered Materials

Access to these standard lists provides essential reference points for industry professionals working with materials in CIS countries and beyond.