This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) establishes requirements for the manufacture of ship-type reference standards containing artificial flaws (notches) for use in the magnetic particle inspection process. Shims have been used typically on ferromagnetic raw stock as: bar, tubing, and pipe, forgings and castings, and welded assemblies, but usage is not limited to such applications. Shims are applied to the surface of the part to establish field direction and approximate field strength.