AS9100 (Aerospace Quality)

AS9100 certifies an aerospace-focused quality management system emphasizing traceability, risk control, and documented processes for high-reliability parts and assemblies.

Overview

AS9100 is an aerospace-specific quality management system (QMS) standard built on ISO 9001, with added requirements for risk management, configuration control, product safety, counterfeit parts prevention, and stronger traceability. It doesn’t define how to manufacture a part; it defines how a supplier controls and documents work so results are repeatable and auditable.

Choose AS9100 suppliers when you need controlled processes, lot-level traceability, calibrated inspection, documented change control, and paperwork packages (COC, material certs, FAI/AS9102) that primes and aerospace OEMs commonly require. Expect higher overhead: more documentation, stricter purchasing controls, and longer onboarding/approval cycles.

Tradeoffs: AS9100 improves predictability and compliance but doesn’t automatically guarantee capability for a specific tolerance or special process. You still need to qualify the actual manufacturing process (e.g., heat treat, welding) and specify acceptance criteria, inspection methods, and required deliverables on the PO.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 7075
  • Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
  • Stainless Steel 17-4 PH
  • Inconel 718
  • PEEK
  • Carbon fiber composite

Tolerances

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Applications

  • Flight-critical machined brackets and fittings
  • Aerospace fasteners and hardware kits
  • Hydraulic manifold blocks
  • Avionics enclosures and chassis
  • Structural composite panels
  • Spaceflight components with full traceability packages

When to Choose AS9100 (Aerospace Quality)

Use AS9100-certified suppliers for aerospace programs that require audited QMS controls, full traceability, and standardized deliverables like COC and AS9102 FAI. It fits low-to-medium volume production and prototypes where configuration control, change management, and controlled documentation matter as much as the part itself.

vs ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

Choose AS9100 when aerospace requirements go beyond generic QMS controls—especially risk management, configuration control, product safety, and counterfeit parts controls. ISO 9001 can be acceptable for non-flight-critical work, but many aerospace customers require AS9100 for approved supplier status and FAI-ready documentation.

vs ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality)

Choose AS9100 when the customer flowdown is aerospace/defense and you need aerospace-specific controls like configuration management and counterfeit parts prevention. ISO 13485 is tuned for medical regulatory needs (device risk files, cleanliness/sterility considerations) and won’t map cleanly to aerospace supplier approval expectations.

vs IATF 16949 (Automotive Quality)

Choose AS9100 when you need aerospace-style traceability, change control, and documentation packages rather than automotive PPAP/APQP emphasis and high-volume statistical controls. IATF 16949 is strong for high-rate production systems, but it typically won’t satisfy aerospace customer approvals without AS9100.

vs NADCAP (Special Process)

Choose AS9100 to ensure the overall QMS and documentation controls are in place across quoting, purchasing, inspection, and change management. NADCAP targets specific special processes (e.g., heat treat, welding, NDT) and is often layered on top of AS9100 when those processes are required or customer-mandated.

vs ITAR Registered

Choose AS9100 when the main requirement is aerospace-quality controls, traceability, and auditable process discipline. ITAR registration addresses export-control handling of defense technical data and doesn’t establish manufacturing quality controls or inspection/documentation rigor.

Design Considerations

  • Call out required deliverables on the PO and drawing (COC, material certs, AS9102 FAI, inspection report format) to avoid rework and re-quotes
  • Specify traceability level explicitly (heat/lot trace to each part, lot trace to shipment, or serialization) because it drives marking, segregation, and paperwork cost
  • Define configuration control expectations: revision control, approved alternates, and change notification requirements to prevent schedule slips
  • Avoid ambiguous specs and blanket notes; list exact standards, revision levels, and acceptance criteria so the supplier can build an auditable router
  • If special processes are involved, name the required certifications/approvals (e.g., NADCAP heat treat, plating) and whether sub-tiers must also be approved
  • Include inspection method requirements for critical features (CMM, NDT type, gage R&R expectations) when acceptance depends on measurement approach