Types and Grades of Almen Strips

• By Type Almen strips are classified into 3 types: 'A', 'N', and 'C'. They differ in their thickness but have the same width and length. The type of strip is usually specified by the part designer.
  • "A" strips are used for medium intensity applications. "A" strips are predominantly used for shot peening with cast shot or cut wire shot.
  • "N" strips are used for low intensity applications. "N" strips are used usually for glass bead and ceramic bead peening.
  • "C" strips are used for high intensity applications.
• By Grade
  • Grade 3 - Bulk (A-3, N-3, C-3)
    Grade 3 strips are guaranteed to meet the requirement of MIL-S-13165 (now AMS-S-13165). Type A-3 strip is guaranteed to meet National Stock Number NSN 6635-00-512-1892. Grade 3 strips are economically-priced and bulk-packaged.
  • Grade 2 - Standard (A-2, N-2, C-2)
    Meets AMS-S-13165. Excess oil is removed from the Grade 2 Standard strips. The strip surfaces are then visually inspected for score marks, scratches, nicks, burrs, pits and rust. Strips are certified using a sampling inspection plan for hardness, length, width, thickness, and flatness. A dated certification of compliance is issued, signed and archived. We then package "A" and "N" strips in groups of 50 and "C" strips in groups of 25.
  • Grade 1 - Premium Grade (A-1, N-1, C-1)
    Meets SAE J442. Electronics Incorporated performs all the inspection and packaging operations listed for Grade 2 strips. Strips are sample inspected for flatness (±.001-inch) on each side. A dated certification of compliance is issued, signed and archived. The Premium Grade 1 strips are identified by batch control number which provides traceability.
  • Grade 1S - Special Grade (A-1S, N-1S)
    Meets SAE AMS 2432B. In addition to requirements for Premium Grade 1, the Grade 1S strips are inspected to ±.0005-inch flatness tolerance of AMS 2432B. A dated certification of compliance is issued, signed and archived.

* AMS-S-13165 has been cancelled with instructions to use AMS 2430. For more information see Almen Strips FAQ.

Grades 1, 2, and 3 are service marks owned by Electronics Inc.