In the UK aerospace sector, identification is part of airworthiness. Plates and labels link a part or assembly to its design data, its manufacturing records and its maintenance history, often for decades. This guide covers what drives the content of an aerospace plate, the compliance standards UK buyers usually mention, and how to specify plates so they pass inspection.
Plates and labels vs direct part marking
Aerospace identification takes two main forms:
- Direct part marking (DPM) — the identification is marked straight onto the part, usually by dot peening, laser or electrochemical etching. It is often a 2D Data Matrix code.
- Identification plates and labels — a separate plate or label fixed to an assembly, unit, equipment rack, ground support equipment or tooling. This is used where the part cannot be marked directly, or where more information is needed than fits on the part.
This guide focuses on plates and labels.
Who decides what goes on the plate?
In short, the design. Under UK Part 21 (point 21.A.804, administered by the CAA), each part or appliance eligible for installation in a type-certified product must be marked permanently and legibly with:
- A name, trademark or symbol identifying the manufacturer, as set out in the design data
- The part number, as defined in the design data
- The letters UKPA for parts made to approved design data that does not belong to the type-certificate holder, with some exceptions (the EU equivalent is EPA)
If a part is too small or marking is otherwise impractical, the CAA can agree that the information goes on the release document instead. CAA guidance also makes clear that the design approval holder tells the manufacturer how to mark, for example the marking area, depth or method.
In practice, this means your engineering drawing or marking specification is the source of truth. A good plate supplier follows it exactly and raises any queries before production, rather than "improving" the layout.
Quality and traceability: AS9100
Most UK aerospace manufacturers and their supply chains work to AS9100, the aerospace quality management standard. It builds on ISO 9001 and adds requirements specific to aviation, space and defence, including product safety, configuration management and the prevention of counterfeit parts. Its identification and traceability requirements (clause 8.5.2) flow down to suppliers, so plates and labels are expected to be fully traceable from raw material to delivery.
Depending on your customer, you may be asked for:
- A certificate of conformity for each batch
- Material certificates for the plate stock
- Batch or lot records linking plates to orders and serial ranges
- A first article inspection report on the first production run, often to AS9102, the aerospace standard for first article inspection
- Material compliance declarations, such as UK REACH and RoHS, where your customer requires them
Tell us at quote stage what documentation your customer needs, and we will confirm what we can provide. Material data sheets are available for all the materials we use.
Data Matrix codes: AS9132
Where a plate or part carries a machine-readable 2D code, the standard that comes up most often is AS9132, which sets quality requirements for Data Matrix marking on metallic parts by dot peening, laser and electrochemical etching. It does not say what data to encode; that comes from the customer or design authority.
Larger aerospace primes and defence programmes often issue their own marking specifications, setting out code content, size and position. Where these are on your drawing, they take precedence, so include them with your order.
If your drawing calls for a code to be verified to a particular grade, include that on the order so it can be checked before dispatch.
Choosing a material and marking method
| Material | Typical aerospace use | Marking options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 316L stainless steel | Engine-area units, harsh environments, long-life plates | Chemical etching, laser annealing | Best corrosion and fluid resistance |
| Anodised aluminium | Avionics racks, cabin equipment, ground support equipment | Laser, ano-print, engraving | Lighter, cost-effective |
316L stainless steel suits plates that face heat, fuel, hydraulic fluids or cleaning chemicals. Anodised aluminium is a good fit where weight matters and the environment is milder. Laser annealing suits serial numbers and codes that change on every plate, while chemical etching suits long runs of identical plates. Our comparison of chemical etching vs laser engraving vs UV printing goes into more detail.
In aircraft and engine environments, think about foreign object debris (FOD) too: specify secure mechanical fixings or approved adhesives, and avoid anything that could work loose.
What to send us for an aerospace quote
- The drawing and its revision, including the marking specification
- Material, thickness and finish requirements
- Content for each plate, with serial ranges where applicable
- Any Data Matrix or barcode requirements, including the verification grade
- Documentation required (certificate of conformity, material certificates, AS9102 first article inspection, material compliance declarations)
- Quantities, delivery schedule and fixing method
For a general overview of nameplate content outside aerospace, see our guide What Must Appear on a Machine Nameplate?
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