This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: E110 − 14

Standard Test Method for

Rockwell and Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials by
Portable Hardness Testers1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E110; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 1.6 Annex A1 is included that defines the periodic indirect

1.1 This test method defines the requirements for portable verification and daily verification requirements for these instru-
instruments that are intended to be used to measure the ments.
Rockwell or Brinell hardness of metallic materials by perform- 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ing indentation tests on the surface of materials in the field or safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
outside of a test lab, or in cases where the size or weight of the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
test piece prevents it from being tested on a standard E10 or priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E18 hardness tester. mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 The principles used to measure the Rockwell or Brinell 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
hardness are the same as those defined in the E18 standard test dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
method for Rockwell or E10 standard test method for Brinell. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE 1—Standard test methods E10 and E18 will be referred to in this
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
test method as the standard methods. mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 The portable hardness testers covered by this test
method are verified only by the indirect verification method. 2. Referenced Documents
Although the portable hardness testers are designed to employ
the same test conditions as those defined in the standard test 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
methods, the forces applied by the portable Rockwell and A833 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Metallic
Brinell testers and the depth measuring systems of the portable Materials by Comparison Hardness Testers
Rockwell testers may not meet the tolerance requirements of A956 Test Method for Leeb Hardness Testing of Steel
the standard methods. Portable hardness testers shall use Products
indenters that meet the requirements of the standard test A1038 Test Method for Portable Hardness Testing by the
methods. Ultrasonic Contact Impedance Method
1.4 This test method does not apply to portable hardness B647 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Aluminum
testers that measure hardness by a means or procedure that is Alloys by Means of a Webster Hardness Gage
different than those defined in E10 or E18 For example, this E10 Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
test method does not apply to the methods defined in ASTM E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
standard Practice A833, Test Methods A956 and A1038 or terials
B647. E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.5 A report section is included to define how to indicate
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship
that the test result was obtained by using a portable device that
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
conforms to this document.
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero-
scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on
Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on
2
Indentation Hardness Testing. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2014. Published July 2014. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E110– 10. DOI: 10.1520/E0110- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
14. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 E110 − 14
2.2 ISO Standards:3 4.3.1 Portable testers are not verified by direct verification.
ISO/IEC 17025 : General requirements for the competence 4.3.2 A portable hardness tester does not have to undergo
of testing calibration laboratories indirect verification each time it is moved.
ISO/IEC 17011 : Conformity assessment -- General require- 4.3.3 Some portable Brinell hardness testers do not maintain
ments for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity the force. It is very important to follow manufacturer’s
assessment bodies instructions on how to operate the portable Brinell hardness
tester.
3. Significance and Use
4.4 Rockwell Hardness Test Principle (see Test Method
3.1 Portable hardness testers are used for testing materials E18)—the general principle of the Rockwell indentation hard-
that because of their size, location or other requirements such ness test is divided into three steps of force application and
as test point are unable to be tested using traditional fixed removal.
instruments. 4.4.1 Step 1—The indenter is brought into contact with the
3.2 Portable hardness testers, by their nature, induce varia- test piece in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and the
tion that could influence the test results; therefore, hardness preliminary test force is applied. After preliminary test force,
measurements made in accordance with this test method are the baseline depth of indentation is measured.
not considered to meet the requirements of E10 or E18. The 4.4.2 Step 2—The force on the indenter is increased to
user should compare the results of the precision and bias additional test force to achieve the total test force.
studies in E110, E10 and E18 to understand the differences in 4.4.3 Step 3—The additional test force is removed, returning
results expected between portable and fixed instruments. to the preliminary test force. The final depth of indentation is
measured. The preliminary test force is removed and the
3.3 Two test parameters that can significantly influence the
indenter is removed from the test piece. The Rockwell hard-
measurement accuracy when using portable hardness testers
ness value is derived in accordance with E18 from the
are the alignment of the indenter to the test surface and the
difference in the final and baseline indentation depths while
timing of the test forces. The user is cautioned to do everything
under the preliminary test force.
possible to keep the centerline of the indenter perpendicular to
the test surface and to apply the test forces using the same time 4.5 Brinell Hardness Test Principle–(see Test Method
cycle as defined in Test Method E10 or Test Methods E18. E10)—the general principle of the Brinell indentation hardness
test consists of two steps.
3.4 Portable hardness testers are delicate instruments that
4.5.1 Step 1—The indenter is brought into contact with the
are subject to damage when they are moved from one test site
test piece in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and the
to another. Therefore, repeating the daily verification process
test force is applied. The test force is then removed.
during the testing sequence is recommended to insure that they
4.5.2 Step 2—The diameter of the indentation is measured.
are working properly.
The Brinell hardness value is derived from the mean of the
3.5 Hardness testing at a specific location on a part may not diameter measurements.
represent the physical characteristics of the whole part or end
product. 5. Test Piece
5.1 Accurate hardness test results are dependent on proper
4. Principles of Test and Apparatus preparation of the test piece. All requirements for test pieces
4.1 The portable hardness tester shall be capable of applying upon which the indentation will be made shall conform to the
the same test forces, use the same indenter types, and use the applicable standard methods.
same methods for determining and calculating the hardness
6. Test Procedures
value as defined in Test Method E10 or Test Methods E18.
6.1 A daily verification (see A1.1.3 and Table A1.1) of the
4.2 Portable hardness testers are generally provided with
testing machine shall be performed in accordance with the
various means of holding the indenter in contact with the
applicable standard methods. It is recommended that daily
surface to be tested. For example, the testers may be clamped
verification should be performed just prior to making the
to the object to be tested, attached to an adjacent fixed object
hardness tests at the test worksite where the hardness tests are
or attached to the surface to be tested by a magnet. For testing
to be made. The daily verification should be performed with the
inside a cavity the tester may be placed against one wall of the
testing machine oriented in the position that it will be used.
cavity to make a test on the opposite wall.
Repeating the daily verification between multiple tests in a
4.3 Portable hardness testers of the types covered in this sequence and after a test sequence is completed is recom-
method do not employ dead weights to apply the indenting mended. The purpose of performing the daily verification at the
forces. This imposes certain limitations and necessitates certain test site is to ensure that environmental conditions
precautions. All requirements of the standard methods except (temperature), position or damage during travel and usage have
those modified by the following sections shall apply to the use not affected the ability of the test equipment to perform
of portable hardness testers. properly.
6.2 Relative motion between the tester and the test piece
3
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de will affect the results of the test; therefore the tester shall be
la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. held and supported such that relative motion is minimized.

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 E110 − 14
This is particularly true for the portable Rockwell hardness the Rockwell and Brinell testing were treated as two separate
tester. Mount the tester in such a position that the axis of the studies. The full results are filed under ASTM Research Report
indenter is normal to the surface to be tested. RR: RR:E28-10434
6.3 Adhere to manufacturer’s instructions manual for the 9.2 Seven laboratories were used for each study. Three of
proper operating procedures and testing precautions. the laboratories were manufactures of instruments and four
6.4 The test procedure defined by the applicable standard were users of the equipment. The testing for five of the
method shall be used. laboratories was done at the November 2008 ASTM meeting in
Tampa Florida. The remainders were done at the user’s facility.
7. Conversion to Other Hardness Scales or Tensile In some cases the testing was done by calibration agency
Strength Values personal.

7.1 There is no general method of accurately converting the 9.3 Separate studies were done for Rockwell and Brinell
hardness numbers on one scale to hardness numbers on another testing machines.
scale or to tensile strength values. Conversions between 9.3.1 For the Rockwell scale testing, four different types of
hardness scales are approximations and therefore, should be instruments of various ages were used that were produced by
avoided except for special cases where a reliable basis for the three manufacturers.
approximate conversion has been obtained by comparison 9.3.2 The Brinell tests were all performed on one manufac-
tests. The measured values (Rockwell or Brinell) must be turer’s instrument since it is by far the most common used by
reported as required in Section 8 along with any converted industry. The seven instruments used to do the test ranged from
values, clearly marked as converted values. a new unit to one that was 30 years old. There were five
different measuring systems used to determine the size of the
NOTE 2—The Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals, E140, Brinell indent. Two were computer controlled systems and the
give approximate conversion values for specific materials and reporting others were manual scopes with 20X magnification from three
requirements for converted values.
different manufacturers.
8. Report 9.4 Since the E110-82(2002) standard, which was current at
the time of the study, did not clearly specify indirect verifica-
8.1 The report shall meet the requirements of the standard
tion results required of the instruments to meet the standard, no
method with the following additions.
attempt was made to qualify them by verifying their overall
8.2 Reports shall reference this standard. performance on test blocks before using them in the study. All
8.3 The measured hardness number shall be reported in of the instruments used for the testing were considered to be in
accordance with the standard methods and appended with a /P good working order and typical of those used for every day
to indicate that it was determined by a portable hardness tester. testing.
9.5 Standardized test blocks used were calibrated according
Rockwell hardness examples: to ASTM Test Methods E18 or Test Method E10 The Rockwell
40 HRC/P = Rockwell hardness number of 40 on Rockwell HRC and HRBW and the Brinell HBW 10/3000 scales were
C scale. used. In each scale three test blocks were used, one each in the
72 HRBW/P = Rockwell hardness number of 72 on the high, medium, and low hardness ranges. Three tests were
Rockwell B scale using a tungsten carbide ball indenter. performed on each test block in specific locations.
Brinell hardness examples:
NOTE 3—Practice E691 requires a minimum of four (4) test blocks to be
220 HBW/P 10/3000 = Brinell hardness of 220 determined used for each study. Since the Brinell study only used three blocks, the
with a ball of 10 mm diameter and with a test force of 3000 kgf Brinell part of this study will have to be redone. Until then the Brinell part
(29.42 kN) applied for 10 s to 15 s. is considered to be provisional.
350 HBW/P 5/750 = Brinell hardness of 350 determined 9.6 A summary of the test data is shown in Table 1 and
with a ball of 5 mm diameter and with a test force of 750 kgf Table 2.
(7.355 kN) applied for 10 s to 15 s. 9.6.1 The value of rPB indicates the typical amount of
600 HBW/P 2.5/62.5/20 = Brinell hardness of 600 deter- variation that can be expected between test results obtained for
mined with a ball of 2.5 mm diameter and with a test force of the same material by the same operator using the same
62.5 kgf (612.9 N) applied for 20 s. hardness tester on the same day. When comparing two test
results made under these conditions, a measurement difference
9. Precision and Bias of less than the rPB value for that material is an indication that
9.1 A precision and bias study was conducted in 2008 in the results may be equivalent.
accordance with ASTM Practice E691 to determine the preci-
sion of Rockwell and Brinell test results obtained with portable 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
instruments. Because of the difference in the equipment used, be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: RR:E28-1043.

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 E110 − 14
TABLE 1 Results of the Rockwell Hardness Precision and Bias the same material by different operators using the different
Study hardness tester on different days. When comparing two test
Materials Average Sr SR rPB RPB results made under these conditions, a measurement difference
Hardness
HRC 63.53 63.59 0.29 0.80 0.82 2.25
of less than the RPB value for that material is an indication that
HRC 45.91 45.38 0.20 0.51 0.56 1.44 the results may be equivalent.
HRC 24.92 25.00 0.33 0.63 0.92 1.76 9.6.3 Any judgments based on the results would have an
HRBW 93.27 93.80 0.34 1.18 0.96 3.29
HRBW 60.60 61.48 0.45 1.33 1.27 3.73 approximate 95% probability of being correct.
HRBW 41.78 42.65 0.74 1.42 2.07 3.97 9.6.4 Although the precision values given in Table 1 and
Table 2 provide guidance on interpreting differences in mea-
surement results, a complete evaluation of measurement un-
TABLE 2 Results of the Brinell Hardness Precision and Bias certainty will provide a more definitive interpretation of the
Study
results for the specific testing conditions.
Materials Average Hardness Sr SR rPB RPB
HBW 201 206.10 1.11 5.05 3.12 14.14 9.7 The data generally indicated the precision expected
HBW 315 316.81 1.69 5.17 4.73 14.48 when using a portable hardness tester.
HBW 543 556.00 4.08 14.06 11.43 39.37
9.8 There are no recognized standards by which to estimate
the bias of this test method.

9.6.2 The value of RPB indicates the typical amount of 10. Keywords
variation that can be expected between test results obtained for 10.1 Brinell; hardness; portable; Rockwell

ANNEX

A1. VERIFICATION OF PORTABLE ROCKWELL AND BRINELL HARDNESS TESTING MACHINES

A1.1 Verification of Apparatus A1.1.5 The indenters used for the indirect and daily verifi-
A1.1.1 Annex A1 specifies two types of procedures for cations shall meet the requirements of the standard methods.
verifying portable hardness test machines: indirect verification A1.1.6 If the results of the daily verification or indirect
and daily verification. The portable hardness tester shall be verification do not fall within the tolerances given in E18 for
verified at specific instances and at periodic intervals in Rockwell hardness testers or E10 for Brinell hardness testers,
accordance with Table A1.1. Portable testers are not verified by the verification procedures may be repeated. If it fails a second
direct verification.
time, the hardness tester shall not be used until it undergoes
A1.1.2 The procedures to be used for the indirect verifica- adjustment or repair, and passes an indirect verification.
tion shall be the applicable procedures specified by the
standard methods. The repeatability R and the error E, as NOTE A1.1—It is recommended that the calibration agency that is used
defined in the standard methods, shall be within the tolerances to conduct the indirect verifications of portable hardness testers be
accredited to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 (or an equivalent) by a
given in E18 for Rockwell hardness testers or E10 for Brinell recognized accrediting body that operates to the requirements of ISO/IEC
hardness testers. 17011.
A1.1.3 The procedures to be used for the daily verification
shall be the applicable procedures specified by the standard A1.2 Verification Report
methods. The repeatability R and the error E, as defined in the A1.2.1 A verification report is required for an indirect
standard methods, shall be within the tolerances given in E18 verification. A verification report is not required for a daily
for Rockwell hardness testers or E10 for Brinell hardness verification. The verification report shall be in accordance with
testers. the requirements of the standard methods.
A1.1.4 The test blocks used for the indirect and daily
verifications shall meet the requirements of the standard
methods.

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 E110 − 14
TABLE A1.1 Verification Schedule for a Portable Hardness Tester
Verification Procedure Schedule
As specified by the standard methods, and when circumstances occur that may affect the
Indirect verification performance of the tester. An exception to the requirements of the standard methods is that a
portable hardness tester does not have to undergo indirect verification each time it is moved.
Required: each day that hardness tests are to be made.
just prior to making the hardness tests at the test worksite where the hardness tests are to be
made.
Daily verification between multiple tests in a sequence and after a test sequence is completed.
Recommended:
whenever the indenter is changed.
whenever the scale is changed.
whenever the instrument is subject to shock or rough handling that may affect its performance.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee E28 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (E110–10)
that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved July 1, 2014.)

(1) The text and structure of the whole test method has been
revised.

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