MTCs always provide the vital information of heat number or cast numberfor identification.. This is a reference number stamped on the parts as well as on test bars from which samples are drawn for testing. The results of these tests are furnished in the MTCs.
Also heat numbers assist in the case of traceability to the melt or heat from which it is poured.This identification is retained through processing and shipment to customer.
These numbers are not unique and each manufacturer has his own code.
Just to add to the abov information from arunmrao, a heat number will identify a unique batch of steel that was produced in a ladle metallurgy furnace. Depending on the steel supplier, this will be ~ 10 tons to over 200 tons. A cast number then identifies where this steel was cast. For steel suppliers that have multiple strand casting, one heat of steel can feed up to 6 casters at the same time. This means 1 heat number would then be divided into 6 different cast numbers.
