Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic Materials: Standard Test Methods For

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: E92 − 23
Standard Test Methods for

Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic
Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E92; 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* continued common usage, force values in gf and kgf units are
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the provided for information and much of the discussion in this
Vickers hardness and Knoop hardness of metallic materials by standard as well as the method of reporting the test results
the Vickers and Knoop indentation hardness principles. This refers to these units.
NOTE 1—The Vickers and Knoop hardness numbers were originally
standard provides the requirements for Vickers and Knoop defined in terms of the test force in kilogram-force (kgf) and the surface
hardness machines and the procedures for performing Vickers area or projected area in millimetres squared (mm2). Today, the hardness
and Knoop hardness tests. numbers are internationally defined in terms of SI units, that is, the test
force in Newtons (N). However, in practice, the most commonly used
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in an- force units are kilogram-force (kgf) and gram-force (gf). When Newton
nexes: units of force are used, the force must be divided by the conversion factor
Verification of Vickers and Knoop Hardness Testing Machines Annex A1 9.80665 N/kgf.
Vickers and Knoop Hardness Standardizing Machines Annex A2
Standardization of Vickers and Knoop Indenters Annex A3
1.7 The test principles, testing procedures, and verification
Standardization of Vickers and Knoop Hardness Test Blocks Annex A4 procedures are essentially identical for both the Vickers and
Correction Factors for Vickers Hardness Tests Made on Annex A5 Knoop hardness tests. The significant differences between the
Spherical and Cylindrical Surfaces
two tests are the geometries of the respective indenters, the
1.3 This standard includes nonmandatory information in an method of calculation of the hardness numbers, and that
appendix which relates to the Vickers and Knoop hardness Vickers hardness may be used at higher force levels than
tests: Knoop hardness.
Examples of Procedures for Determining Vickers and Appendix X1 NOTE 2—While Committee E28 is primarily concerned with metallic
Knoop Hardness Uncertainty materials, the test procedures described are applicable to other materials.
Other materials may require special considerations, for example see
1.4 This test method covers Vickers hardness tests made
C1326 and C1327 for ceramic testing.
utilizing test forces ranging from 9.807 × 10-3 N to 1176.80 N
(1 gf to 120 kgf), and Knoop hardness tests made utilizing test 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
forces from 9.807 × 10-3 N to 19.613 N (1 gf to 2 kgf). safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.5 Additional information on the procedures and guidance priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
when testing in the microindentation force range (forces ≤ 1 mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
kgf) may be found in Test Method E384, Test Method for 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
Microindentation Hardness of Materials. dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.6 Units—When the Vickers and Knoop hardness tests ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
were developed, the force levels were specified in units of Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
grams-force (gf) and kilograms-force (kgf). This standard mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specifies the units of force and length in the International Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
System of Units (SI); that is, force in Newtons (N) and length
in mm or µm. However, because of the historical precedent and 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1
These test methods are 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, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E92–17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0092-23. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E92 − 23
C1326 Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of force, the length of the long diagonal of the projected area of
Advanced Ceramics the indentation is measured to calculate the Knoop hardness
C1327 Test Method for Vickers Indentation Hardness of number.
Advanced Ceramics 3.1.4 Vickers hardness number, HV, n—the calculated result
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens from a Vickers hardness test, which is proportional to the test
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing force applied to the Vickers indenter divided by the surface
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography area of the permanent indentation made by the indenter after
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to removal of the test force.
Determine Conformance with Specifications 3.1.4.1 Discussion—The surface area of the permanent in-
E74 Practices for Calibration and Verification for Force- dentation made by the Vickers indenter is calculated based
Measuring Instruments partly on the measured mean length of the two diagonals of the
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship projected area of the indentation.
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero- 3.1.5 Vickers hardness test, n—an indentation test in which
scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness a Vickers square-based pyramidal diamond indenter having
E175 Terminology of Microscopy (Withdrawn 2019)3 specified face angles is forced under specified conditions into
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in the surface of the test material, and, after removal of the test
ASTM Test Methods force, the lengths of the two diagonals of the projected area of
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate- the indentation are measured to calculate the Vickers hardness
rials number.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Determine the Precision of a Test Method 3.2.1 standardization, n—to bring in conformance to a
2.2 ISO Standards:4 known standard through verification or calibration.
ISO 6507-1 Metallic Materials—Vickers hardness Test— 3.2.2 microindentation hardness test, n—a hardness test,
Part 1: Test Method normally in the Vickers or Knoop scales, using test forces in
ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment—General Require- the range of 9.807 × 10-3 to 9.807 N (1 to 1000 gf).
ments for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity 3.2.3 macroindention hardness test, n—a hardness test using
Assessment Bodies test forces normally higher than 9.807 N (1 kgf). Macroinden-
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence tation tests include Vickers, Rockwell and Brinell.
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
NOTE 3—Use of the term microhardness should be avoided because it
3. Terminology and Equations implies that the hardness, rather than the force or the indentation size, is
very low.
3.1 Definitions of Terms—For the standard definitions of 3.2.4 scale, n—a specific combination of indenter (Knoop or
terms used in this test method, see Terminology E6 and Vickers) and the test force (kgf).
Terminology E7. 3.2.4.1 Discussion—For example, HV 10 is a scale defined
3.1.1 indentation hardness, n—the hardness as evaluated as using a Vickers indenter and a 10 kgf test force and HK 0.1
from measurements of area or depth of the indentation made by is a scale defined as using a Knoop indenter and a 100 gf test
forcing a specified indenter into the surface of a material under force. See 5.10 for the proper reporting of the hardness level
specified static loading conditions. and scale.
3.1.2 Knoop hardness number, HK, n—the calculated result
3.2.5 as-found condition, n—the state of the hardness ma-
from a Knoop hardness test, which is proportional to the test
chine as reflected by the initial verification measurements made
force applied to the Knoop indenter divided by the projected
prior to performing any cleaning, maintenance, adjustments or
area of the permanent indentation made by the indenter after
repairs associated with an indirect verification.
removal of the test force.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The projected area of the permanent 3.2.6 hardness machine, n—a machine capable of perform-
indentation made by the Knoop indenter is calculated based ing a Vickers or Knoop hardness test.
partly on the measured length of the long diagonal of the 3.2.7 hardness testing machine, n—a Vickers or Knoop
projected area of the indentation. hardness machine used for general testing purposes.
3.1.3 Knoop hardness test, n—an indentation test in which a 3.2.8 hardness standardizing machine, n—a Vickers or
Knoop rhombic-based pyramidal diamond indenter having Knoop hardness machine used for the standardization of
specified edge angles, is forced under specified conditions into Vickers or Knoop hardness test blocks.
the surface of the test material, and, after removal of the test 3.2.8.1 Discussion—A hardness standardizing machine dif-
fers from a hardness testing machine by having tighter toler-
ances on certain parameters.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on 3.3 Equations:
www.astm.org.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 3.3.1 The average d̄ of a set of n diagonal length measure-
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org. ments d1, d2, …, dn is calculated as:

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E92 − 23
d 1 1d 2 1…1d n 4.4 The Vickers indenter usually produces essentially the
d̄ 5 (1)
n same hardness number at all test forces when testing homoge-
neous material, except for tests using very low forces (below
where each of the individual diagonal measurements d1, d2,
25 gf) or for indentations with diagonals smaller than about 25
…, dn is the mean of the two diagonal length measurements in
µm (see Test Method E384). For isotropic materials, the two
the case of a Vickers indentation, or is the long diagonal length
diagonals of a Vickers indentation are equal in length.
measurement in the case of a Knoop indentation.
3.3.2 The repeatability R in the performance of a Vickers or 4.5 The Knoop indenter usually produces similar hardness
Knoop hardness machine at each hardness level, under the numbers over a wide range of test forces, but the numbers tend
particular verification conditions, is determined from n diago- to rise as the test force is decreased. This rise in hardness
nal measurements made on a standardized test block as part of number with lower test forces is often more significant when
a performance verification. The repeatability is estimated as the testing higher hardness materials, and is increasingly more
percent range of n diagonal measurements with respect to the significant when using test forces below 50 gf (see Test Method
measured average hardness value as: E384).
R 5 100 × S d max 2 d min

d̄
D (2)
4.6 The elongated four-sided rhombohedral shape of the
Knoop indenter, where the length of the long diagonal is 7.114
times greater than the short diagonal, produces narrower and
where: shallower indentations than the square-based pyramid Vickers
dmax = the longest diagonal length measurement made on the indenter under identical test conditions. Hence, the Knoop
standardized test block, hardness test is very useful for evaluating hardness gradients
dmin = the shortest diagonal length measurement made on since Knoop indentations can be made closer together than
the standardized test block, and Vickers indentations by orienting the Knoop indentations with
d̄ = the average (see 3.3.1) of the n diagonal length the short diagonals in the direction of the hardness gradient.
measurements made on the standardized test block.
5. Principle of Test and Apparatus
3.3.3 The error E in the performance of a Vickers or Knoop
hardness machine at each hardness level, relative to a standard- 5.1 Vickers and Knoop Hardness Test Principle—The gen-
ized reference value, is calculated as a percent error determined eral principle of the Vickers and Knoop indentation hardness
as: test consists of two steps.
S? ?D
5.1.1 Step 1—The applicable specified indenter is brought
d̄ 2 d ref into contact with the test specimen in a direction normal to the
E 5 100 × (3)
d ref surface, and the test force F is applied. The test force is held for
where: a specified dwell time and then removed.
d̄ = the average (see 3.3.1) of n diagonal length mea- 5.1.2 Step 2—For the Vickers hardness test, the lengths of
surements made on a standardized test block as the two diagonals are measured and the mean diagonal length
part of a performance verification, and is calculated, which is used to derive the Vickers hardness
dref = the certified diagonal length reported for the stan- value. For the Knoop hardness test, the length of the long
dardized test block. diagonal is measured, which is used to derive the Knoop
|d̄2d ref | = absolute value (non-negative value without regard hardness value.
to its sign) of the difference between d̄ and dref. 5.1.3 Most materials will exhibit some elastic recovery
when the indenter is removed after the loading cycle. However,
4. Significance and Use for the purposes of calculating the hardness results from the
indentation diagonal lengths, it is assumed that the indentation
4.1 Vickers and Knoop hardness tests have been found to be retains the shape of the indenter after the force is removed. In
very useful for materials evaluation, quality control of manu- Knoop testing, it is assumed that the ratio of the long diagonal
facturing processes and research and development efforts. to the short diagonal of the indentation is the same as for the
Hardness, although empirical in nature, can be correlated to indenter.
tensile strength for many metals, and is an indicator of wear
5.2 Testing Machine—The testing machine shall support the
resistance and ductility.
test specimen and control the movement of the indenter into the
4.2 Microindentation hardness tests extend testing to mate- specimen under a preselected test force, and should have a light
rials that are too thin or too small for macroindentation optical microscope to select the desired test location and to
hardness tests. Microindentation hardness tests also allow measure the size of the indentation produced by the test. The
specific phases or constituents and regions or gradients too plane of the surface of the test specimen should be perpendicu-
small for macroindentation hardness testing to be evaluated. lar to the axis of the indenter which is the direction of the force
Recommendations for microindentation testing can be found in application.
Test Method E384. 5.2.1 See the equipment manufacturer’s instruction manual
4.3 Because the Vickers and Knoop hardness will reveal for a description of the machine’s characteristics, limitations,
hardness variations that may exist within a material, a single and respective operating procedures.
test value may not be representative of the bulk hardness. 5.3 Indenters:

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E92 − 23
5.3.1 Indenters for general Vickers or Knoop hardness TABLE 1 Standard Hardness Scales and Test Forces
testing shall comply with the requirements of a Class B Vickers Knoop Test force
Approximate Approximate
Test force Test force
indenter or better in accordance with Annex A3. scale scaleA (N)
(kgf) (gf)
5.3.2 Vickers Indenter—The ideal Vickers indenter (see Fig. HV 0.001 HK 0.001 0.009807 0.001 1
A3.1) is a highly polished, pointed, square-based pyramidal HV 0.01 HK 0.01 0.09807 0.01 10
HV 0.015 HK 0.015 0.1471 0.015 15
diamond with face angles of 136° 0’. HV 0.02 HK 0.02 0.1961 0.02 20
5.3.3 Knoop Indenter—The ideal Knoop indenter (see Fig. HV 0.025 HK 0.025 0.2451 0.025 25
HV 0.05 HK 0.05 0.4903 0.05 50
A3.2) is a highly polished, pointed, rhombic-based, pyramidal HV 0.1 HK 0.1 0.9807 0.1 100
diamond. The included longitudinal edge angles are 172° 30’ HV 0.2 HK 0.2 1.961 0.2 200
and 130° 0’. HV 0.3 HK 0.3 2.942 0.3 300
HV 0.5 HK 0.5 4.903 0.5 500
NOTE 4—The user should consult with the manufacturer before apply- HV 1 HK 1 9.807 1 1000
HV 2 HK 2 19.61 2 2000
ing macroindentation test forces (over 1 kgf) with diamond indenters
HV 3 29.41 3
previously used for microindentation testing. The diamond mount may not HV 5 49.03 5
be strong enough to support the higher test forces and the diamond may HV 10 98.07 10
not be large enough to produce the larger indentation sizes. HV 20 196.1 20
HV 30 294.1 30
5.4 Measurement Device—The diagonals of the indentation HV 50 490.3 50
are measured (see 7.9.2) using a light microscope equipped HV 100 980.7 100
HV 120 1177 120
with a filar type eyepiece (see Terminology E175), or other A
The user should consult with the manufacturer before applying macroindentation
type of measuring device. Additional guidance on measuring test forces (over 1 kgf) for Knoop hardness testing. The diamond may not be large
devices may be found in Test Method E384. enough to produce the larger indentation sizes (see Note 4).
5.4.1 The testing machine’s measuring device shall be
capable of reporting the diagonal lengths to within the require-
ments of 7.9.2.
5.4.2 The measuring device may be an integral part of the where:
tester or a stand-alone instrument, such as a high quality α = face angle of the diamond indenter = 136°, and
measuring microscope or measuring system. To obtain the dV = mean Vickers indentation diagonal length (mm).
highest quality image for measuring the indentation diagonal, Other units of force and length may be used; however, the
the measuring microscope should have adjustable illumination reported Vickers hardness number shall be converted to the
intensity, adjustable alignment, aperture, and field diaphragms. units of kgf and mm, as follows and given in Table 2.
5.4.3 Magnifications should be provided so that the diago- 5.8.1 Microindentation Vickers hardness is typically deter-
nal can be enlarged to greater than 25 % but less than 75 % of mined using indentation test forces in grams-force (gf) and
the field width. The device may be built with single or multiple indentation diagonals measured in micrometres (µm). The
magnifying objectives. Vickers hardness number, in terms of gf and µm, is calculated
5.5 Verifications—All testing machines, indentation measur- as follows:
ing devices and indenters used to perform Vickers and Knoop F ~ gf! F ~ gf!
HV 5 1000 × 1.8544 × 5 1854.4 × 2 (6)
hardness tests shall be verified periodically in accordance with d V2 ~ µm! d V ~ µm!
Annex A1 prior to performing hardness tests.
5.8.2 Macroindentation Vickers hardness is typically deter-
5.6 Test Blocks—Test blocks meeting the requirements of mined using indentation test forces in kilograms-force (kgf)
Annex A4 shall be used to verify the testing machine in and indentation diagonals measured in millimetres (mm). The
accordance with Annex A1. Vickers hardness number, in terms of kgf and mm, is calculated
as follows:
5.7 Test Forces—The standard hardness test forces are given
in Table 1. Other non-standard test forces may be used by F ~ kgf!
HV 5 1.8544 × (7)
special agreement. d V2 ~ mm!
5.8 Calculation of the Vickers Hardness Number—The

Vickers hardness number is based on the indentation test force
F in kgf divided by the surface area AS of the indentation in TABLE 2 Vickers and Knoop Formulae
mm2. Vickers hardness number
Force (F) unit Diagonal (d) unit Formula
Test force F ~ kgf! kgf mm HV = 1.8544 × F/d2
HV 5 5 (4) gf µm HV = 1854.4 × F/d2
Surface Area A S ~ mm2 !
N mm HV = 0.1891 × F/d2
Knoop hardness number
The surface area (AS) of the indentation is calculated as: Force (F) unit Diagonal (d) unit Formula
d V2 d V2 kgf mm HK = 14.229 × F/d2
AS 5 5 (5) gf µm HK = 14229 × F/d2
α 1.8544 N mm HK = 1.451 × F/d2
2sin
2

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5.8.3 The Vickers hardness number, in terms of indentation 5.10.1 For nonstandard dwell times, other than 10 s to 15 s,
test forces in Newtons (N) and indentation diagonals measured the hardness shall be supplemented with the actual total force
in millimetres (mm), is calculated as follows: dwell time used in seconds separated by a “/”.
1.8544 F ~N! F ~N! 5.10.2 The reported Vickers and Knoop hardness number
HV 5 ×
9.80665 d V2 ~ mm!
5 0.1891 × 2
d V ~ mm!
(8) shall be reported rounded to three significant digits in accor-
dance with Practice E29.
5.9 Calculation of the Knoop Hardness Number—The 5.10.3 Examples:
Knoop hardness number is based on the indentation test force 400 HK 0.5 = Knoop hardness of 400 determined with a 500 gf (0.5 kgf)
(kgf) divided by the projected area AP of the indentation indentation test force.
(mm2). 99.2 HV 0.1 = Vickers hardness of 99.2 determined with a 100 gf (0.1 kgf)
indentation test force.
Test force F ~ kgf! 725 HV 10 = Vickers hardness of 725 determined with a 10 kgf indentation
HK 5 5 (9) test force.
Projected Area A P ~ mm2 ! 400 HK 0.1 /22. = Knoop hardness of 400 determined with a 100 gf (0.1 kgf)
indentation test force and a 22 s total force dwell time.
The projected area (AP) of the indentation is calculated as:
A P 5 d K2 × c P (10) 6. Test Piece
where: 6.1 There is no standard shape or size for a Vickers or
dK = Knoop indentation long diagonal length (mm), and Knoop test specimen. The specimen on which the indentation
cP = indenter constant relating the projected area of the is made should conform to the following:
indentation to the square of the length of the long 6.2 Preparation—For optimum accuracy of measurement,
diagonal, ideally 0.07028, where: the test should be performed on a flat specimen with a polished
or otherwise suitably prepared surface. The quality of the
/B
tan required surface finish can vary with the forces and magnifi-
2
cP 5 5 0.07028 (11) cations used. The lower the test force and the smaller the
/A
2tan indentation size, the more critical is the surface preparation. In
2
all tests, the preparation should be such that the indentation
where: perimeter and the indentation tips in particular, can be clearly
/A = the included longitudinal edge angle, 172° 30’, and defined when observed by the measuring system. Surface
/B = included transverse edge angle, 130° 0’. preparation recommendations for low-force microindentation
testing can be found in Test Method E384.
Other units of force and length may be used, however, the
6.2.1 The test surface shall be free of any defects that could
Knoop hardness number shall be converted to the units of kgf
affect the indentation or the subsequent measurement of the
and mm, as follows and as given in Table 2.
diagonals. It is well known that improper grinding and polish-
5.9.1 Knoop hardness is typically determined using inden- ing methods can alter test results either due to excessive
tation test forces in grams-force (gf) and indentation long heating or cold work. Some materials are more sensitive to
diagonal measured in micrometres (µm). The Knoop hardness preparation-induced damage than others; therefore, special
number, in terms of gf and µm, is calculated as follows: precautions shall be taken during specimen preparation. Re-
F ~ gf! F ~ gf! move any damage introduced during specimen preparation.
HK 5 1000 × 14.229 × 5 14229 × 2 (12)
d K2 ~ µm! d K ~ µm! 6.2.2 The specimen surface should not be etched before
making an indentation. Etched surfaces can obscure the edge of
5.9.2 The Knoop hardness number, in terms of indentation the indentation, making an accurate measurement of the size of
test forces in kgf and the indentation long diagonal measured in the indentation difficult. There may be microindentation testing
mm, is calculated as follows: applications where a light etch may be appropriate (see Test
F ~ kgf! Method E384).
HK 5 14.229 × (13)
d K2 ~ mm! 6.3 Alignment—To obtain usable information from the test,
5.9.3 The Knoop hardness number, in terms of indentation the specimen should be prepared or mounted so that the test
test forces in Newtons (N) and the indentation long diagonal surface is perpendicular to the axis of the indenter. This can
measured in millimetres (mm), is calculated as follows: readily be accomplished by surface grinding (or otherwise
machining) the opposite side of the specimen parallel with the
14.229 F ~N! F ~N! side to be tested. Non-parallel test specimens can be tested
HK 5 × 5 1.451 × 2 (14)
9.80665 d K2 ~ mm! d K ~ mm! using clamping and leveling fixtures designed to align the test
5.10 Hardness Number—Vickers and Knoop hardness val- surface properly to the indenter.
ues are not designated by a number alone because it is 6.4 Mounted Test Specimens—In many instances, especially
necessary to indicate which force has been employed in in microindentation testing, it is necessary to mount the
making the test. The hardness numbers shall be followed by the specimen for convenience in preparation and to maintain a
symbol HV for Vickers hardness, or HK for Knoop hardness, sharp edge when surface gradient tests are to be performed on
and be supplemented by a value representing the test force in the test specimen. When mounting is required, the specimen
kgf. shall be adequately supported by the mounting medium so that

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E92 − 23
the specimen does not move during force application, that is, 7.4.1 After each change of a test force, it is recommended
avoid the use of polymeric mounting compounds that creep that the operation of the machine be checked by performing a
under the indenter force (see Test Method E384). periodic verification as specified in A1.5, particularly for
6.5 Thickness—The thickness of the specimen tested shall machines where the weights that create test forces are changed
be such that no bulge or other marking showing the effect of manually or there is a chance of jamming occurring when
the test force appears on the side of the piece opposite the weights are changed.
indentation. The thickness of the material under test should be 7.5 Positioning the Test Specimen—Place the test specimen
at least ten times the depth of the indentation (see Note 5). in the appropriate fixture or on the tester stage so that the test
Similarly, when testing a coating on a material, the minimum surface is perpendicular to the indenter axis.
thickness of the coating should be at least ten times the depth 7.6 Locate the Test Point—Focus the measuring microscope
of the indentation. with a low power objective so that the specimen surface can be
NOTE 5—The Vickers indentation depth hV is approximately
observed. Adjust the light intensity and adjust the diaphragms
h V 5 0.143 × d V (15) for optimum resolution and contrast. Adjust the position of the
or approximately 1/7 of the mean diagonal length dV. The Knoop in- test specimen so that the indentation will be made in the
dentation depth hK is approximately desired location on the test surface. Before applying the force,
h K 5 0.033 × d K (16) make a final focus using the measuring objective (see 7.9 and
or approximately 1/30 of the long diagonal length dK. Table 3).
6.6 Radius of Curvature—Due caution should be used in 7.7 Force Application—Apply the selected test force as
interpreting or accepting the results of tests made on spherical follows in a manner and in an environment that prevents shock
or cylindrical surfaces, particularly when using low test forces. or vibration during the indenting process.
Results will be affected even in the case of the Knoop test 7.7.1 For microindentation testing, the indenter shall contact
where the radius of curvature is in the direction of the short the specimen at a velocity between 15 µm/s and 70 µm/s. For
diagonal. Annex A5 provides correction factors that shall be macroindentation testing, the contact velocity should not ex-
applied to Vickers hardness values obtained when tests are ceed 0.2 mm/s.
made on spherical or cylindrical surfaces. Additional require- 7.7.2 The time from the initial application of the force until
ments are specified in 9.3 and 9.4 when reporting corrected the full test force is reached shall not be more than 10 s.
hardness values. 7.7.3 The full test force shall be applied for 10 s to 15 s
unless otherwise specified.
7. Test Procedure
7.7.4 For some applications it may be necessary to apply the
7.1 Verification—A periodic verification procedure shall be test force for longer times. In these instances the tolerance for
performed in accordance with A1.5 within one week prior to the time of the applied force shall be 6 2 s. The application
making hardness tests. The periodic verification should be time shall be defined in the report.
performed on a daily basis. 7.7.5 Remove the test force without shock or vibration.
7.2 Test Temperature—Vickers and Knoop hardness tests 7.7.6 During the entire test cycle of force application and
should be carried out at a temperature within the limits of removal, the test machine should be protected from shock or
10 °C to 35°C (50 °F to 95 °F). Because variations within this vibration. To minimize vibrations, the operator should avoid
temperature range may affect results, users may choose to contacting the machine in any manner during the entire test
control temperature within a tighter range. cycle.
7.3 Indenter—Select the indenter, either Knoop or Vickers, 7.8 Test Location—After the force is removed, switch to the
to suit the desired test to be performed. Refer to the manufac- measuring mode, and select the proper objective lens. Focus
turer’s instruction manual for the proper procedure if it is the image, adjust the light intensity if necessary, and adjust the
necessary to change indenters. diaphragms for maximum resolution and contrast.
7.3.1 After each change, or removal and replacement, of the 7.8.1 Examine the indentation for its position relative to the
indenter, it is recommended that a periodic verification be desired location and for its symmetry.
performed as specified in A1.5. 7.8.2 If the indentation did not occur at the desired spot, the
7.3.2 Occasionally clean the indenter with a cotton swab tester is out of alignment. Consult the manufacturer’s instruc-
and alcohol. Avoid creating static charges during cleaning. tion manual for the proper procedure to produce alignment.
Indenting a piece of paper placed on top of the test specimen Make another indentation and recheck the indentation location.
will often remove oil from the indenter. Do not touch the Readjust and repeat as necessary.
diamond tip with fingers. 7.9 Indentation Measurement—Measure both diagonals of a
7.3.3 Indenters should be examined periodically and re- Vickers indentation or the long diagonal of a Knoop indenta-
placed if they become worn, dulled, chipped, cracked or tion by operating the measuring device in accordance with the
separated from the mounting material. Checks of the indenter manufacturer’s instruction manual.
by the user may be performed by visual inspection of the 7.9.1 When the indentation measuring device is a light
resulting indentations performed on test blocks. microscope that requires the full indentation to be seen and
7.4 Magnitude of Test Force—Set the desired test force on measured in the field of view, the highest magnification that
the tester by following the manufacturer’s instructions. can image the full indentation shall be used. To stay within the

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flat field of the objective, the indentation length should not nonsymmetrical aspect of the indentations has rotated 90°, then
exceed 75 % of the field width. The objective selected to the specimen surface may not be perpendicular to the indenter
measure the indentation should have an objective resolution axis and may yield incorrect hardness results. If the nonsym-
(robj) that is ≤ 2 % of the diagonal length to be measured. metrical nature of the indentation remains in the same
Objective resolution (robj) is a function of the numerical orientation, check the indenter for damage or misalignment as
aperture (NA) of the objective, see Note 6. The minimum described in 7.10.4.
recommended diagonal lengths to be measured by typical 7.10.4 The alignment of the indenter may be checked using
objectives are shown in Table 3. a test specimen, such as a standardized test block, known to
NOTE 6—The objective’s resolution (robj) is defined as:
produce uniformly shaped indentations. Confirm that the test
block surface is perpendicular to the indenter axis as described
r obj 5 λ ⁄ ~ 2 × NA! (17) in 7.10.3. Make an indentation. If the indentation is not
where: symmetrical, the indenter is misaligned, and the tester shall not
λ = the wave length of the light in µm (approx. 0.55 µm for green be used until it meets the requirements of sections 7.10.1 or
light), and 7.10.2.
NA = the numerical aperture of the objective as defined by the 7.10.5 Some materials may have nonsymmetrical indenta-
manufacturer. (The NA is frequently marked on the side of each tions even if the indenter and the specimen surface are
objective.) Example: For a 50× objective with a NA of 0.65
using green light, robj = 0.55 µm / (2 × 0.65) = 0.42 µm. perfectly aligned. Tests on single crystals or on textured
materials may produce such results. When tests on these types
7.9.2 Determine the length of the diagonals to within 0.5 µm of materials produce nonsymmetrical indents exceeding the
or less. For indentations less than 40 µm, determine the length limits of 7.10.1 or 7.10.2, it should be noted on the test report.
of the diagonals to within 0.25 µm or less. For indentations less 7.10.6 Brittle materials such as ceramics may crack as a
than 20 µm, the length of the diagonals should be determined result of being indented. Specific details for testing ceramics
to within 0.1 µm or less. In all cases, smaller measurement are contained in Test Methods C1326 and C1327.
increments may be reported if the equipment is capable of
displaying smaller measurement increments. 7.11 Spacing of Indentations—Generally more than one
indentation is made on a test specimen. It is necessary to ensure
7.10 Indentation Examination: that the spacing between indentations is large enough so that
7.10.1 Vickers—For a Vickers indentation, if one half of adjacent tests do not interfere with each other.
either diagonal is more than 5 % longer than the other half of
7.11.1 For most testing purposes, the minimum recom-
that diagonal, or if the four corners of the indentation are not in
mended spacing between separate tests, and minimum distance
sharp focus, the test surface may not be perpendicular to the
between an indentation and the edge of the specimen are
indenter axis. Check the specimen alignment as described in
illustrated in Fig. 1.
7.10.3.
7.11.2 For some applications, closer spacing of indentations
7.10.2 Knoop—For a Knoop indentation, if one half of the
than those shown in Fig. 1 may be desired. If closer indentation
long diagonal is greater than 10 % longer than the other, or if
spacing is used, it shall be the responsibility of the testing
both ends of the indentation are not in sharp focus, the test
laboratory to verify the accuracy of the testing procedure.
specimen surface may not be perpendicular to the indenter
axis. Check the specimen alignment as given in 7.10.3.
8. Conversion to Other Hardness Scales or Tensile
7.10.3 If the diagonal legs are unequal by an amount greater
Strength Values
than the limits defined in 7.10.1 or 7.10.2, rotate the specimen
90° and make another indentation in an untested region. If the 8.1 There is no general method of accurately converting the
Vickers or Knoop hardness numbers using one test force to
hardness numbers using a different test force, or to other types
TABLE 3 Recommended Indentation Diagonal Lengths for of hardness numbers, or to tensile strength values. Such
Commonly used Objectives and NA conversions are, at best, approximations and, therefore, should
Commonly used Typical NA Objective Recommended be avoided except for special cases where a reliable basis for
Objective (will vary by Resolution Diagonal
MagnificationsA objective type) (robj) µm Lengths µm the approximate conversion has been obtained by comparison
2.5× 0.07 3.93 196.5 or longer tests. For homogeneous materials and test forces ≥ 100 gf,
5× 0.10 2.75 137.5 or longer microindentation Vickers hardness numbers are in reasonable
10× 0.25 1.10 55 or longer agreement with macroindentation Vickers hardness numbers.
20× 0.40 0.69 34.5 or longer
20× 0.45 0.61 30.5 or longer Refer to E140 for hardness conversion tables for metals.
40× 0.55 0.50 25 or longer Additional requirements are specified in 9.2 and 9.4 when
40x 0.65 0.42 21 or longer reporting converted hardness values.
50× 0.65 0.42 21 or longer
60× 0.70 0.39 19.5 or longer NOTE 7—E140 gives approximate hardness conversion values for
100× 0.80 0.34 17 or longer specific materials such as steel, nickel and high-nickel alloys, cartridge
100× 0.95 0.29 14.5 or longer brass, copper alloys, alloyed white cast irons, and wrought aluminum
A products.
This is the magnification of the objective and may not be the total magnification
of the system. Many systems have a 10× eyepiece that increases the total
magnification by a factor of 10 at the operator’s eye. This additional magnification 9. Report
does not change the optical resolution (robj) or the recommended diagonal lengths.
9.1 Report the following information:

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FIG. 1 Minimum Recommended Spacing for Vickers and Knoop Indentations
9.1.1 The results (see 5.10), the number of tests, and, where 10. Precision and Bias
appropriate, the mean and standard deviation of the results,
10.1 Four separate interlaboratory studies have been con-
9.1.2 Test force,
ducted in accordance with Practice E691 to determine the
9.1.3 The total force application time if outside the limits of precision, repeatability, and reproducibility of this test method.
10 s to 15 s as defined in 7.7.3, The four studies are defined as follows:
9.1.4 Any unusual conditions encountered during the test, (1) Vickers and Knoop tests, six test forces in the micro-
and indentation range, twelve laboratories, manual measurements,
9.1.5 The test temperature, when outside the recommended seven different hardness level test specimens. See Test Method
allowable range of 10 °C to 35 °C (50 °F to 95 °F). E384.
9.2 Reporting Converted Hardness Values—When reporting (2) Vickers and Knoop tests, two test forces in the micro-
hardness values that have been converted from one type of indentation range, seven laboratories, image-analysis and
hardness test or hardness scale to another type of hardness test manual measurements, four different hardness level test speci-
or hardness scale, the original measurement number and test mens. See Test Method E384.
scale shall also be reported (see E140). (3) Vickers and Knoop tests, six test forces in the micro
9.2.1 A common historical practice is to report the con- range, twenty-five laboratories, manual measurements, six
verted hardness value followed by the measured hardness value different hardness level test specimens. See Test Method E384.
given in parentheses. For example: 353 HBW (372 HV), where (4) Vickers tests, four test forces in the macro range, seven
353 HBW is the converted hardness value and 372 HV is the laboratories, manual measurements, three different hardness
original measurement value. level test specimens. See 10.3.
9.2.2 Other formats for reporting converted hardness values, 10.2 Studies 1 through 3—The results and discussion of
such as data tables, may be used, however, the original Studies 1 through 3 are given in Test Method E384.
measurement number and test scale shall also be reported and
clearly identified. 10.3 Study 4—The macroindentation Vickers precision
statement is based on an interlaboratory study of Test Methods
9.3 Reporting Curvature Corrected Hardness Values—
E92, Standard Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic
When reporting Vickers or Knoop hardness test values that
Materials, conducted in 2001. Seven laboratories tested three
have been corrected for testing on cylindrical or spherical
different standard hardness test blocks using macro range test
surfaces (see 6.6), the following information shall be indicated
forces of 1, 5, 10, and 20 kgf. Only four laboratories were also
in the test report or documented in the test lab/customer
able to provide results at 50 kgf test force. Every “test result”
contract or agreement:
represents an individual determination of the Vickers hardness
–the test values are corrected due to testing on a curved
of the material. Each laboratory was asked to report triplicate
surface,
test results in order to permit the estimation of intralaboratory
–the source of correction value, if other than the correction
precision. Practice E691 was followed for the design and
tables given in Annex A5 for convex cylindrical surfaces.
analysis of the data; the details are given in ASTM Research
9.4 Since all converted or curvature-corrected hardness Report No. RR: E04-1007.5
values are considered approximate, the reported hardness
values shall be rounded in accordance with the Rounding
Method of Practice E29 and should have no more significant 5
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
digits than is given for the data in the applicable conversion or be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:E04-1007. Contact ASTM Customer
correction table. Service at service@astm.org.

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10.3.1 The precision statement was determined through 10.3.3 The above terms (repeatability limit and reproduc-
statistical examination of 288 results, from seven laboratories, ibility limit) are used as specified in Practice E177.
on three test blocks. The materials were described as the
10.4 Bias—There is no recognized standard by which to
following:
estimate the bias of this test method.
Material 1: 200 HV
Material 2: 400 HV
Material 3: 800 HV 11. Keywords
10.3.2 Repeatability and reproducibility limits are listed in 11.1 hardness; indentation; Knoop; macroindentation; mi-
Tables 4-8. croindentation; Vickers
TABLE 4 Vickers Hardness at 1 kgf Test Force (HV 1)

Repeatability Reproducibility
Test Block
Average Standard Deviation Standard Deviation Repeatability Limit Reproducibility Limit
Nominal Hardness
(HV) Bias (HV) (HV) (HV) (HV)
(HV)
X̄ % sr sR r R
200 209.2 N/A 4.1 7.1 11.5 19.9
400 413.8 N/A 8.1 15.6 22.8 43.7
800 812.9 N/A 21.8 21.8 61.1 61.1

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Test Block
Nominal Hardness
(HV)
X̄ % sr sR r R
200 199.0 N/A 1.7 5.2 4.7 14.5
400 421.8 N/A 4.8 7.3 13.3 20.5
800 828.0 N/A 8.9 19.5 25.0 54.6

Test Block
Nominal Hardness
(HV)
X̄ % sr sR r R
200 198.1 N/A 2.1 3.0 6.0 8.5
400 398.5 N/A 2.9 9.1 8.2 25.4
800 800.2 N/A 2.3 11.7 6.6 32.7

Test Block
Nominal Hardness
(HV)
X̄ % sr sR r R
200 197.1 N/A 1.8 3.5 4.9 9.9
400 415.7 N/A 2.5 5.1 7.0 14.2
800 811.5 N/A 8.3 16.6 23.3 46.6

Test Block
Nominal Hardness
(HV)
X̄ % sr sR r R
200 191.2 N/A 0.5 1.5 1.4 4.3
400 399.9 N/A 1.1 2.0 3.1 5.7
800 814.4 N/A 2.8 12.0 7.7 33.6
ANNEXES
(Mandatory Information)
A1. VERIFICATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS TESTING MACHINES
A1.1 Scope A1.2 General Requirements

A1.1.1 This Annex specifies three types of procedures for A1.2.1 The testing machine shall be verified at specific
verifying Vickers and Knoop hardness testing machines: direct instances and at periodic intervals as specified in Table A1.1,
verification, indirect verification, and periodic verification. and when circumstances occur that may affect the performance
of the testing machine.
A1.1.2 Direct verification is a process for verifying that
A1.2.2 All instruments used to make measurements re-
critical components of the hardness testing machine are within
quired by this Annex shall be calibrated traceable to national
allowable tolerances by directly measuring the test forces,
standards when a system of traceability exists, except as noted
indentation measuring system, and testing cycle.
otherwise.
A1.1.3 Indirect verification is a process for periodically A1.2.3 Direct verification of newly manufactured testing
verifying the overall performance of the testing machine by machines may be performed at the place of manufacture or the
means of standardized test blocks. location of use. Direct verification of rebuilt testing machines
A1.1.4 Periodic verification is a process for checking and may be performed at the place of rebuild or the location of use.
monitoring the performance of the testing machine between A1.2.4 The temperature at the verification site shall be
indirect verifications by means of standardized test blocks. measured with an instrument having an accuracy of at least

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TABLE A1.1 Verification Schedule for a Vickers and Knoop TABLE A1.2 Accuracy of Applied Forces
Hardness Testing Machine Applied Force, gf Accuracy, %
Verification F < 200 1.5
Schedule
Procedure F $ 200 1.0
When a testing machine is new, or when adjustments,
Direct
modifications or repairs are made that could affect the
Verification
application of the test forces or the measuring system.
When a testing machine fails an indirect verification.
Indirect Recommended every 12 months, or more often if A1.3.3 Verification of the Indentation Measuring System—
Verification needed. Each magnification of the measuring device used to determine
Shall be no longer than every 18 months. the diagonal of the indentation shall be verified at five evenly
When a testing machine is installed or moved, [only a
partial indirect verification is performed by following the spaced intervals over the working range by comparison with an
procedure given in A1.4.5 for verifying the as-found accurate scale such as a stage micrometer. The accuracy of the
condition].
Following a direct verification.
certified line interval of the stage micrometer shall be 0.1 µm
To qualify an indenter that was not verified in the last or 0.05 % of any interval, whichever is greater. Throughout the
indirect verification, (only a partial indirect verification is range covered, the difference between the reading of the device
performed, see A1.4.8).
and of the stage shall not exceed 0.4 µm or 0.5 %, whichever
Periodic Required within a week prior to the machine being used. is greater.
Verification Recommended each day that the machine is used.
Required whenever the machine is moved. A1.3.4 Verification of the Testing Cycle—The testing ma-
Recommended whenever the indenter or test force is chine shall be verified to be capable of meeting the testing
changed. cycle tolerances specified in 7.7. Direct verification of the
testing cycle is to be verified by the testing machine manufac-
turer at the time of manufacture, or when the testing machine
is returned to the manufacturer for repair, or when a problem
with the testing cycle is suspected. Verification of the testing
6 2.0 °C or 6 3.6 °F. It is recommended that the temperature
cycle is recommended but not required as part of the direct
be monitored throughout the verification period, and significant
verification at other times.
temperature variations be recorded and reported. The tempera-
A1.3.4.1 Instruments that have timing controlled by soft-
ture at the verification site does not need to be measured for a
ware or other nonadjustable components do not have to be
periodic verification or when qualifying additional user’s
verified providing that the design has been proven to produce
indenters in accordance with A1.4.8.
NOTE A1.1—It is recommended that the calibration agency that is used
the correct testing cycle.
to conduct the verifications of Vickers or Knoop hardness testing A1.3.5 Direct Verification Failure—If any of the direct
machines in accordance with this standard be accredited to the require- verifications fail the specified requirements, the testing ma-
ments of ISO/IEC 17025 (or an equivalent) by an accrediting body
recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation chine shall not be used until it is adjusted or repaired. If the test
(ILAC) as operating to the requirements of ISO/EC 17011. forces, indentation measuring system or testing cycle may have
NOTE A1.2—A valid and current certificate/scope of accreditation to been affected by an adjustment or repair, the affected compo-
conduct verifications of Vickers or Knoop hardness testing machines in nents shall be verified again by a direct verification.
accordance with Test Method E384 is considered equivalent to a
certificate/scope of accreditation to conduct verifications of Vickers or A1.3.6 Indirect Verification—Following a successful direct
Knoop hardness testing machines in accordance with this standard for the verification, an indirect verification according to A1.4 shall be
force levels listed on the certificate/scope. performed.
A1.3 Direct Verification A1.4 Indirect Verification
A1.3.1 A direct verification of the testing machine shall be A1.4.1 An indirect verification of the testing machine shall
performed at specific instances in accordance with Table A1.1. be performed in accordance with the schedule given in Table
The test forces, indentation measuring system, testing cycle, A1.1. Indirect verifications may be required more frequently
and indenters shall be verified as follows. than stated in Table A1.1 and should be based on the usage of
NOTE A1.3—Direct verification is a useful tool for determining the
the testing machine.
sources of error in a Knoop or Vickers hardness testing machine.
A1.3.2 Verification of the Test Forces—Each Vickers and/or A1.4.2 The testing machine shall be verified for each test
Knoop test force that will be used shall be measured. The test force and for each indenter that will be used prior to the next
forces shall be measured by means of a Class A elastic force indirect verification. Hardness tests made using test force and
measuring instrument, as described in Practice E74, or an indenter combinations that have not been verified within the
equivalent. schedule given in Table A1.1 do not meet this standard.
A1.3.2.1 Make three measurements of each force. The A1.4.3 Standardized test blocks used for the indirect veri-
forces shall be measured as they are applied during testing; fication shall meet the requirements of Annex A4.
however, longer dwell times are allowed when necessary to NOTE A1.4—It is recognized that appropriate standardized test blocks
enable the measuring device to obtain accurate measurements. are not available for all geometric shapes, materials, or hardness ranges.
A1.3.2.2 Each test force F shall meet the requirements A1.4.4 The indenter(s) to be used for the indirect verifica-
specified in Table A1.2. tion shall meet the requirements of Annex A3.

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A1.4.5 As-found Condition—It is recommended that the TABLE A1.4 Repeatability and Error of Testing Machines—Test
as-found condition of the testing machine be assessed as part of Forces > 1 kgfA
an indirect verification. This is important for documenting the R E
Hardness Range
Force, Maximum Maximum
historical performance of the machine. This procedure should of Standardized
kgf Repeatability Error
Test Blocks
be conducted by the verification agency prior to any cleaning, (%) (%)B
maintenance, adjustments, or repairs. $ 100 to < 240 >1 4 2
> 240 to # 600 >1 3 2
A1.4.5.1 The as-found condition of the testing machine > 600 >1 2 2
shall be determined with the user’s indenter that is normally A
In all cases, the repeatability is satisfactory if (dmax–dmin) is equal to 1 µm or less.
used with the testing machine. One or more standardized test B
In all cases, the error is satisfactory if E from Eq 3 is equal to 0.5 µm or less.
blocks in the range of normal testing should be used for each
Vickers or Knoop hardness scale that will undergo indirect
verification. A1.4.7.1 The testing machine shall be verified with the
A1.4.5.2 On each standardized test block, make at least user’s indenter(s) normally used for testing.
three measurements distributed uniformly over the test surface. A1.4.7.2 A minimum of two standardized test blocks shall
Let d1, d2, …, dn be the indentation diagonal measurement be used for the verification of the testing machine. The test
values, and d̄ be the average of the measurements, see Eq 1. blocks shall be chosen such that the following criteria are met:
NOTE A1.5—When testing at low forces it may be necessary to increase (1) At least one hardness test block shall be used for each
the number of tests in order to obtain more consistent results. Vickers and Knoop hardness scale to be verified.
A1.4.5.3 Determine the repeatability R and the error E in the (2) At least two of the blocks shall be from different
performance of the testing machine for each standardized test hardness ranges, low, mid or high hardness as specified in
block that is measured using Eq 2 and Eq 3. The repeatability Table A1.5. The hardness difference between two blocks from
R and the error E shall be within the tolerances of the different ranges shall be a minimum of 100 points. For
applicable Table A1.3 or Table A1.4. example, if only one Vickers and Knoop hardness scale is to be
A1.4.5.4 If the calculated values of the repeatability R or the verified, and one block having a hardness of 220 is used to
error E fall outside the specified tolerances, this is an indication verify the low range, then a block having a minimum hardness
that the hardness tests made since the last indirect verification of 320 shall be used to verify the mid hardness range or high
or periodic verification may be suspect. hardness range. See more examples below of the test blocks
needed when performing multi-scale verifications.
A1.4.6 Cleaning and Maintenance—Perform cleaning and (3) The highest test force shall be verified on a block from
routine maintenance of the testing machine when required in the lower of the chosen hardness ranges to produce the largest
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and instruc- indentation size, and the lowest test force shall be used on the
tions. block from the higher of the chosen hardness ranges to produce
A1.4.7 Indirect Verification Procedure—The indirect verifi- the smallest indentation size. The two extremes of indentation
cation procedure is designed to verify that for all Vickers and size will verify the capability of the measuring device.
Knoop hardness scales to be used, each test force is being Example 1—A testing machine is to be verified for the HV
accurately applied, each indenter is correct, and the measuring 0.5 and HK 1 scales. Two test blocks are chosen for the
device is calibrated correctly for the range of indentation sizes verification: 450 HV 0.5 (mid-range) and 200 HK 1 (low-
that these test force and indenter combinations produce. This is range). In this case, the highest test force (1000 gf) is used on
accomplished by making hardness measurements on test a low-range hardness block, and the lowest test force (500 gf)
blocks that have been calibrated using the same Vickers and is used on a mid-range test block, which is the higher of the
Knoop hardness scales. two hardness ranges.
TABLE A1.3 Repeatability and Error of Testing Machines—Test Forces # 1 kgfA

Hardness Range of R E
Standardized Test Blocks Force, Maximum Maximum
gf Repeatability Error
Knoop Vickers (%) (%)B
HK > 0 HV > 0 1 # F < 100 13 3

HK < 100 HV < 100 100 # F # 1000 13 3
100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 100 # F < 500 13 2

250 < HK # 650 240 < HV # 600 5 2
HK > 650 HV > 600 4 2
100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 500 # F # 1000 8 2

250 < HK # 650 240 < HV # 600 4 2
HK > 650 HV > 600 3 2
A
In all cases, the repeatability is satisfactory if (dmax–dmin) is equal to 1 µm or less.
B
In all cases, the error is satisfactory if E from Eq 3 is equal to 0.5 µm or less.

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TABLE A1.5 Hardness Ranges Used for Indirect Verification the repeatability example above, and a certified mean diagonal
Range Knoop Vickers length for the test block, dref, of 100.8 µm (420 HK 0.3). Since
Low < 250 < 240 d̄ =102.8 µm, (d̄–dref) = 102.8 – 100.8 = 2.0 µm. Thus, E = 1.98
Mid 250 to 650 240 to 600 %. In this case, the percent error meets the maximum of 6 2 %,
High > 650 > 600
which is greater than 0.5 µm. For this example, d̄–dref must be
> 2.016 µm for the error to be above the limit of 2 %.
A1.4.7.4 If the measurements of repeatability R or error E
Example 2—A testing machine is to be verified for the HK using the user’s indenter fall outside of the specified tolerances,
0.1, HV 0.3 and HV 1 scales. Three test blocks are chosen for the indirect verification measurements may be repeated using a
the verification: 720 HK 0.1 (high-range), 480 HV 0.3 (mid- different indenter.
range) and 180 HV 1 (low-range). In this case, the highest test A1.4.7.5 The indirect verification shall be approved only
force (1000 gf) is used on a low-range hardness block, and the when the testing machine measurements of repeatability and
lowest test force (100 gf) is used on the high-range test block. error meet the specified tolerances with the user’s indenter.
A mid-range block was chosen for the 300 gf test force
A1.4.8 In cases where it is necessary to replace the indenter
although a block from any of the three hardness ranges would
during the period between indirect verifications, the new
have complied with the requirements.
indenter shall be verified for use with the specific testing
Example 3—A testing machine is to be verified for the HV
machine. The user may perform the verification by following
0.5 and HV 1 scales. Two test blocks are chosen for the
the as-found procedures given in A1.4.5. If the repeatability R
verification: 150 HV 1 (low-range) and 450 HV 0.5 (mid-
and error E values fall within the tolerances in the applicable
range). In this case, the highest test force (1000 gf) is used on
Table A1.3 or Table A1.4, the indenter can be used.
a low-range hardness block, and the lowest test force (500 gf)
is used on a mid-range test block, which is the higher of the A1.4.9 When the combination of block hardness and test
two hardness ranges. force produces indentations with diagonals less than 20 µm in
Example 4—A testing machine is to be verified for the HV 1, length, indirect verification using standardized test blocks is
HV 3 and HV 5 scales. Three test blocks are chosen for the not recommended. In these situations, the indentation measure-
verification: 180 HV 5 (low-range), 480 HV 3 (mid-range) and ment error represents a significant proportion of the diagonal
720 HV 1 (high-range). In this case, the highest test force (5 length. This can lead to substantial deviations in hardness from
kgf) is used on a low-range hardness block, and the lowest test the stated value. If possible, a block hardness should be used
force (1 kgf) is used on the high-range test block. A mid-range that produces indentations with diagonals at least 20 µm in
block was chosen for the 3 kgf test force although a block from length. Additional guidance when testing in the microindenta-
any of the three hardness ranges would have complied with the tion force range (forces ≤ 1 kgf) may be found in Test Method
requirements. E384.
A1.4.7.3 On each standardized test block, make five mea- A1.5 Periodic Verification
surements distributed uniformly over the test surface. Let d1,
d2,..., d5 be the five indentation diagonal measurement values, A1.5.1 The periodic verification is intended as a tool for the
and d̄ be the average of the five measurements, calculated using user to monitor the performance of the testing machine
Eq 1. Hardness measurements shall be made only on the between indirect verifications. At a minimum, the periodic
calibrated surface of the test block. Determine the repeatability verification shall be performed in accordance with the schedule
R and the error E in the performance of the testing machine given in Table A1.1 for each Vickers and Knoop hardness scale
using Eq 2 and Eq 3 for each hardness level of each Vickers that will be used.
and Knoop hardness scale to be verified. The repeatability R A1.5.2 Periodic Verification Procedures—The procedures
and the error E shall be within the tolerances of the applicable to use when performing a periodic verification are as follows:
Table A1.3 or Table A1.4. A1.5.2.1 Periodic verification shall be done for each Vickers
Example: Repeatability R Calculation—Assume that five and Knoop hardness scale that will be used. At least one
Knoop indentations were made on a test block with a nominal standardized test block that meets the requirements of Annex
hardness of 420 HK at the certified block test force of 300 gf A4 shall be used for each Vickers and Knoop hardness scale to
and that the five diagonal measurements are 103.9, 104.8, be verified. When test blocks are commercially available, the
102.3, 102.8 and 100.2 µm. Therefore, dmax–dmin = 104.8 – hardness level of the test blocks shall be chosen at approxi-
100.2 = 4.6 µm and R = 100(4.6)/102.8 = 4.47 %. According to mately the same hardness value as the material to be measured.
Table A1.3, the repeatability for a test block with a hardness A1.5.2.2 The indenter to be used for the periodic verifica-
>250 to 650 HK shall be ≤5 %. In this example, the testing tion shall be the indenter that is normally used for testing.
machine met the repeatability requirement for this hardness test A1.5.2.3 Before performing the periodic verification tests,
block and force. However, if these diagonals had been obtained ensure that the testing machine is working freely, the stage and
using a test block with a nominal hardness of 700 HK and a test block are clean, and the measuring device is properly
certified test force of 300 gf, then the repeatability would be adjusted and zeroed.
inadequate as Table A1.3 requires R ≤ 4 % for a hardness >650 A1.5.2.4 Make at least two hardness tests on each of the
HK. periodic verification test blocks adhering to the spacing re-
Example: Error E Calculation—The following example of quirements given in 7.11.1. Hardness measurements shall be
an error calculation is based on the measurement data given in made only on the calibrated surface of the test block.

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E92 − 23
A1.5.2.5 Let d̄ be the average of the diagonal measure- periodic verification; however, it is recommended that records
ments. Determine the error E in the performance of the testing be kept of the periodic verification results, including the
machine using Eq 3 for each standardized test block that is verification date, measurement results, certified value of the
measured. test block, test block identification, and the name of the person
A1.5.2.6 If the error E calculated for each test block is that performed the verification, etc. (see also Note A1.6). These
within the tolerances given in the applicable Table A1.3 or records can be used to evaluate the performance of the
Table A1.4, the testing machine with the indenter may be hardness machine over time.
regarded as performing satisfactorily.
A1.5.2.7 Alternately to calculating the error E, it is accept- A1.6.2 The verification report shall be produced by the
able to calculate the error range for the reference block in person performing the verification and include the following
diagonal length units or hardness units. The testing machine information when available as a result of the verification
with the indenter may be regarded as performing satisfactorily performed.
if the average measured diagonal length d̄ or calculated average A1.6.2.1 Reference to this ASTM test method. Historical
hardness value is within the error range. reports for verifications that reference Test Method E384 that
Example—The test block has a certified average diagonal occurred prior to the release of this edition of Test Methods
length of 35.2 µm and a certified value of 750 HV 0.5. From E92 and continue to be within the verification schedule given
Table A1.4, the maximum error E is 2% of 35.2 µm or a range in Table A1.1 are considered to meet this requirement.
of 34.5 µm to 35.9 µm. This is equivalent to 719 HV 0.5 to 779
A1.6.2.2 Method of verification (direct or indirect).
HV 0.5. The periodic verification is acceptable when the
measured average diagonal length or equivalent HV value is A1.6.2.3 Identification of the hardness testing machine and
within these ranges. the indenters used.
A1.5.2.8 If the error E calculated for any of the test blocks A1.6.2.4 Means of verification (test blocks, elastic proving
is outside the tolerances, follow the manufacturer’s trouble devices, etc.) with statements defining traceability to a national
shooting recommendations and repeat the test. If the average of standard.
the hardness measurements again falls outside of tolerances for A1.6.2.5 The Vickers and Knoop hardness scale(s) verified.
any of the test blocks, an indirect verification shall be per-
A1.6.2.6 The individual or calculated results used to deter-
formed.
A1.5.2.9 Whenever a testing machine fails a periodic mine whether the testing machine meets the requirements of
verification, the hardness tests made since the last valid indirect the verification performed. Measurements made to determine
verification or periodic verification may be suspect. the as-found condition of the testing machine shall be included
whenever they are made.
NOTE A1.6—It is highly recommended that the results obtained from
the periodic verification testing be recorded using accepted Statistical A1.6.2.7 Description of adjustments or maintenance done to
Process Control techniques, such as, but not limited to, X-bar (measure- the testing machine.
ment averages) and R-charts (measurement ranges), and histograms. A1.6.2.8 Date of verification and reference to the verifying
A1.6 Verification Report agency or department.
A1.6.1 A verification report is required for direct and A1.6.2.9 Identification of the person performing the
indirect verifications. A verification report is not required for a verification.
A2. VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS STANDARDIZING MACHINES
A2.1 Scope A2.2 Accreditation

A2.1.1 This Annex specifies the requirements for the A2.2.1 The agency conducting direct and/or indirect verifi-
capabilities, usage, and periodic verification of Vickers and cations of hardness standardizing machines shall be accredited
Knoop hardness standardizing machines. The hardness stan- to the requirements of ISO 17025 (or an equivalent) by an
dardizing machine differs from a hardness testing machine by accrediting body recognized by the International Laboratory
having tighter tolerances on certain performance attributes Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as operating to the require-
such as force application and indenter geometry. A standard- ments of ISO/EC 17011. An agency accredited to perform
izing machine is used for the standardization of test blocks as verifications of hardness standardizing machines may perform
described in Annex A4. the verifications of its own standardizing machines. The
A2.1.2 Adherence to this standard and annex provide trace- standardizing laboratory shall have a certificate/scope of ac-
ability to national standards, except as stated otherwise. creditation stating the types of verifications (direct and/or

14
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indirect) and the Vickers and Knoop hardness scales that are A2.4.1.2 Identification of the hardness standardizing
covered by the accreditation. machine, including the serial number, manufacturer and model
A2.2.2 A laboratory that was accredited in accordance with number.
A2.2.1 to conduct direct and/or indirect verifications of Vickers A2.4.1.3 Identification of all devices (elastic proving
or Knoop hardness standardizing machines prior to the release devices, etc.) used for the verification, including serial numbers
of this edition of Test Methods E92 having a valid and current and identification of standards to which traceability is made.
certificate/scope of accreditation that references Test Method A2.4.1.4 Test temperature at the time of verification re-
E384 satisfies the accreditation requirements of this edition. ported to a resolution of at least 1°C.
A2.4.1.5 The individual measurement values and calculated
A2.3 Apparatus results used to determine whether the standardizing machine
meets the requirements of the verification performed. It is
A2.3.1 The standardizing machine shall comply with Annex
recommended that the uncertainty in the calculated results used
A1 with the following additional requirements.
to determine whether the standardizing machine meets the
A2.3.2 Direct Verification—Direct verification shall be per- requirements of the verification performed also be reported.
formed every 12 months according to A1.3. A2.4.1.6 Description of adjustments or maintenance done to
A2.3.3 Indirect Verification—Indirect verification shall be the standardizing machine, when applicable.
performed according to A1.4, following the direct verification. A2.4.1.7 Date of verification and reference to the verifying
A2.3.3.1 Indirect verifications should be performed using agency or department.
test blocks traceable to national standards whenever they are A2.4.1.8 Identification of the person performing the verifi-
available. cation.
A2.4.1.9 Accreditation certification number.
NOTE A2.1—Primary standardized test blocks are available as Standard
Reference Material from NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
A2.4.2 Indirect Verification:
A2.4.2.1 Reference to this ASTM test method.
A2.3.4 Periodic Verification—Periodic verification shall be A2.4.2.2 Identification of the standardizing machine, in-
performed according to A1.5 with the following additional cluding the serial number, manufacturer and model number.
requirements. A2.4.2.3 Identification of all devices (test blocks, indenters,
A2.3.4.1 Periodic verification shall be performed before and etc.) used for the verification, including serial numbers and
after each lot of test blocks is standardized. When standardiza- identification of standards to which traceability is made.
tions of a single lot of test blocks spans multiple days, the A2.4.2.4 Test temperature at the time of verification re-
periodic verification procedures shall be performed at the end ported to a resolution of at least 1°C.
of the work day and at the start of the following day during the A2.4.2.5 The hardness scale(s) verified.
period that the lot is standardized. A2.4.2.6 The individual measurement values and calculated
A2.3.4.2 Periodic verification shall be performed whenever results used to determine whether the standardizing machine
the indenter, anvil, or test force is changed. meets the requirements of the verification performed. Measure-
A2.3.4.3 At least two test blocks shall be used in the ments made to determine the as-found condition of the
appropriate hardness ranges that bracket the hardness level to standardizing machine shall be included whenever they are
be standardized. made. It is recommended that the uncertainty in the calculated
A2.3.5 Indenters—Class A Vickers and Knoop indenters as results used to determine whether the standardizing machine
specified in Annex A3 shall be used. meets the requirements of the verification performed also be
reported.
A2.3.6 Testing Cycle—The test force application time shall A2.4.2.7 Description of maintenance done to the standard-
be between 5 and 7 seconds. The test force dwell time shall be izing machine, when applicable.
between 13 and 15 seconds. A2.4.2.8 Date of verification and reference to the verifying
A2.3.7 The indentation measuring system shall be verified agency or department.
according to A1.3.3. The difference between the reading device A2.4.2.9 Identification of the person performing the verifi-
and the stage micrometer shall not exceed 0.2 µm or 0.25 %, cation.
whichever is greater. A2.4.2.10 Accreditation certification number.
A2.4.3 Periodic Verification:
A2.4 Verification Report
A2.4.3.1 No periodic verification report is required;
A2.4.1 Direct Verification: however, it is required that records be kept of the periodic
A2.4.1.1 Reference to this ASTM test method. verification results.

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A3. STANDARDIZATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP INDENTERS
A3.1 Scope directly verified before placing into service. The instruments
A3.1.1 This Annex specifies the requirements and proce- used to verify the geometrical features of the indenter shall
dures to manufacture and standardize the Vickers and Knoop have a maximum expanded uncertainty (k=2) as specified in
diamond indenters. Table A3.1.
A3.1.2 The Annex covers two levels of diamond indenters, A3.4 Class B Vickers Indenter
designated by this standard as Class B and Class A indenters. A3.4.1 The Class B Vickers diamond indenter, see Fig.
Class B indenters are intended for everyday use with hardness A3.1, used for standard testing and indirect verifications shall
testing machines. Class A indenters are intended for the have face angles of 136° 0' 6 30'. The four faces of the
standardization of test blocks in accordance with Annex A4. diamond shall be equally inclined to the axis of the indenter to
A3.1.3 Adherence to this standard and annex provides within 6 30'.
traceability to national standards, except as stated otherwise. A3.4.2 As an alternate, the 136° face angles may be verified
A3.1.4 Indenters that were standardized to Test Method by measuring the angles between the opposite edges rather than
E384 by a laboratory accredited in accordance with A3.2.1 the faces. When measured, the edge angles shall be 148° 6' 36''
prior to the release of this edition of Test Methods E92 may be 6 45' and equally inclined to the axis of the indenter within
used to satisfy the requirements of this edition provided that 6 30'.
they meet all of the requirements of Test Method E384-09 or a A3.4.3 The face junction offset, see Fig. A3.1, shall not
later revision. exceed 1 µm when testing with test forces of 1 kgf and greater.
When testing with forces less than 1 kgf, the offset shall not
A3.2 Accreditation
exceed 0.5 µm.
A3.2.1 The agency conducting the standardizations of in-
A3.4.4 As an alternate, it is permissible to verify the face
denters shall be accredited to the requirements of ISO 17025
junction offset by using a microscope with at least 500×
(or an equivalent) by an accrediting body recognized by the
magnification to view an indentation created by the indenter
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) as
and compare the offset length to a known dimension.
operating to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011. The standard-
izing laboratory shall have a certificate of accreditation stating A3.5 Class A Vickers Indenter
the class and types of indenters that are covered by the
A3.5.1 The Class A Vickers diamond indenter used for the
accreditation. Only indenters of the class and types within the
standardization of test blocks shall have face angles of 136° 0'
laboratory’s scope of accreditation are considered to meet this
6 6'. The face angles shall be equally inclined to the axis of the
standard, except as stated below.
indenter within 6 15'.
A3.2.2 A laboratory that was accredited in accordance with
A3.5.2 As an alternate, the 136° face angles may be verified
A3.2.1 to standardize indenters prior to the release of this
by measuring the angles between the opposite edges rather than
edition of Test Methods E92 having a valid and current
the faces. When measured, the edge angles shall be 148° 6' 36''
certificate/scope of accreditation that references Test Method
6 9', and equally inclined to the axis of the indenter within
E384 is considered to satisfy the accreditation requirements of
6 30'.
this edition.
A3.5.3 The face junction offset shall not exceed 0.3 µm.
A3.3 General Requirements
A3.6 Class B Knoop Indenter
A3.3.1 Vickers Indenter—The ideal Vickers indenter is a
highly polished, pointed, square-based pyramidal diamond A3.6.1 The Class B Knoop diamond indenter, see Fig. A3.2,
with face angles of 136° 0'. used for standard testing and indirect verifications shall have an
included longitudinal edge angle A of 172° 30' 6 6', and a
A3.3.2 Knoop Indenter—The ideal Knoop indenter is a corresponding edge angle B of 130° 6 1°. The two angle A
highly polished, pointed, rhombic-based, pyramidal diamond. edges of the diamond shall be equally inclined to the axis of the
The included longitudinal edge angles are 172° 30' and 130° 0'.
A3.3.3 The four faces of the Vickers or Knoop indenter
shall be equally inclined to the axis of the indenter and shall
meet at a sharp point. TABLE A3.1 Maximum Expanded Uncertainty of Instruments for
Verifying the Geometrical Features of Knoop and Vickers
A3.3.4 All instruments used to make measurements re- Indenters
quired by this Annex shall be calibrated traceable to national Maximum Expanded
standards where a system of traceability exists, except as noted Geometrical Feature Indenter Class
Uncertainty (k=2)
otherwise. Angles A and B 0.07°
Junction offset B 0.5 µm
A3.3.5 Verification of Indenters—The geometry of all Junction offset A 0.3 µm
classes of Vickers and Knoop diamond indenters shall be

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FIG. A3.1 Vickers Indenter
FIG. A3.2 Knoop Indenter
indenter to within 6 30', and the two angle B edges of the A3.9 Certificate
diamond shall be equally inclined to the axis of the indenter to
A3.9.1 Each class A or class B indenter shall have a
within 6 30'.
calibration certificate with the following information (see
A3.6.2 The indenter constant (cP) shall be 0.07028 within A3.1.4).
6 1 %.
A3.9.1.1 Reference to this ASTM test method.
A3.6.3 The face junction offset shall not be more than 1 µm A3.9.1.2 Serial number of the indenter.
in length for indentations greater than 15 µm in length, as
shown in Fig. A3.2. For shorter indentations the offset should A3.9.1.3 Date of standardization.
be proportionally less. (See A3.4.4.) A3.9.1.4 Type (Vickers or Knoop) and class of the indenter
(class A or class B).
A3.7 Class A Knoop Indenter A3.9.1.5 The results of all geometric verifications.
A3.7.1 The Class A Knoop diamond indenter used for the A3.9.1.6 For Class B Vickers indenter: lowest test force that
standardization of test blocks shall meet the requirements of a can be used (1 gf or 1 kgf, dependent on junction offset value).
Class B Knoop indenter as given in A3.6, and have an indenter
A3.9.1.7 For Class B Knoop indenter: smallest indentation
constant of 0.07028 6 0.5 %. The offset shall not exceed 0.5
allowed to be made (dependent on junction offset value).
µm.
A3.9.1.8 A statement declaring that the indenter meets all of
A3.8 Marking the geometric requirements for the type and class of indenter.
A3.8.1 All indenters shall be serialized. When it is not A3.9.1.9 Accreditation agency certification number.
practical to mark the serial number on the indenter due to size
limitations, the serial number shall be marked on the container.

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A4. STANDARDIZATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS TEST BLOCKS
A4.1 Scope tion diagonal(s). The mean, centerline average, surface rough-
A4.1.1 This Annex specifies the requirements and proce- ness height measurement of the test surface shall not exceed
dures for the standardization of Vickers and Knoop hardness 0.1 µm (4 µin.).
test blocks that are traceable to specific hardness standards. A4.3.6 Repolishing of the test block will invalidate the
These standardized test blocks are to be used for the verifica- standardization and is not recommended. Cleaning of the
tion of the performance of Vickers and Knoop testing machines polished test block surface is often required in normal usage
by way of periodic verifications and indirect verifications as but must not alter the hardness or quality of the polished test
described in Annex A1. surface.
A4.1.2 Test blocks that were standardized by a laboratory A4.4 Standardizing Tester Requirements
accredited in accordance with A4.2.1 to Test Methods E92 or
Test Method E384 prior to the release of this edition of Test A4.4.1 The standardization of the hardness test blocks shall
Methods E92 may be used to satisfy the requirements of this be performed with a Knoop or Vickers hardness standardizing
edition provided that they meet all of the requirements of Test machine that meets all of the requirements of Annex A2.
Methods E92 (2003) or Test Method E384-09 or later revi- A4.4.2 Indenters—Class A Vickers and Knoop indenters as
sions. specified in Annex A3 shall be used.
A4.2 Accreditation A4.4.3 Testing Cycle—The test force application time shall
A4.2.1 The agency conducting the standardizations of test be between 5 and 7 seconds. The test force dwell time shall be
blocks shall be accredited to the requirements of ISO/IEC between 13 and 15 seconds.
17025 (or an equivalent) by an accrediting body recognized by A4.5 Test Block Standardization Procedure
the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(ILAC) as operating to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011. A4.5.1 Make a minimum of five hardness measurements
The standardizing agency shall have a certificate/scope of arranged as follows on the surface of the test block- one
accreditation stating the Vickers and Knoop hardness scales indentation near the center of each of the four quadrants of the
that are covered by the accreditation, and the standards to block and the fifth near the center of the test block. When more
which the test block standardizations are traceable. than five indents are done, they shall be arranged around the
test surface in a similar manner.
A4.2.2 A laboratory that was accredited in accordance with
A4.2.1 to standardize test blocks prior to the release of this A4.5.2 Adjust the illumination for the measuring system to
edition of Test Methods E92 having a valid and current produce uniform intensity over the field of view and optimum
certificate/scope of accreditation that references Test Method contrast between the indents and the block surface.
E384 are considered to satisfy the accreditation requirements A4.5.3 Measure the length of the Knoop longitudinal
of this edition. diagonal, or the average length of the Vickers diagonals of each
A4.3 Test Block Manufacture indentation. Record the data by location and by block.
A4.3.1 The test block thickness shall be greater than twenty A4.6 Repeatability of the Standardized Test Block
times the depth of the indentation made with the certified test A4.6.1 Let d1, d2,..., d5 be the five indentation diagonal
force. measurement values, and d̄ be the average of the five measure-
A4.3.2 The test block material and manufacturing processes ments calculated using Eq 1. Determine the repeatability R of
shall be chosen to produce the required degree of homogeneity, the calibration measurements using Eq 2. The repeatability R is
structural stability and uniformity of hardness at the prepared an indication of the hardness homogeneity of the test block,
surface. although R is influenced by all of the variables that affect the
A4.3.3 Ferromagnetic test blocks shall be demagnetized by repeatability of test results. The repeatability R shall be within
the manufacturer and shall be maintained in that condition by the tolerances of the applicable Table A4.1 or Table A4.2,
the user. which list the required maximum R values for test blocks by
indenter type, test force range and hardness range. The mea-
A4.3.4 The test block support surface shall have a finely sured R value shall be less than these limits for it to be
ground surface finish. The maximum deviation from flatness of considered sufficiently uniform enough in hardness to function
the test and support surfaces shall not exceed 5 µm. The as a standardized test block.
maximum error in parallelism shall not exceed 15 µm in 30
mm. A4.7 Marking
A4.3.5 The test block test surface shall be polished accord- A4.7.1 Each block shall be permanently marked with the
ing to the procedures in Methods E3 to yield the true name or identifying mark of the standardizing agency, an
microstructure, free from scratches that would interfere with appropriate identifying serial number and a mark on the test
production of the indentation or measurement of the indenta- surface that will be obliterated if the surface is repolished.

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TABLE A4.1 Repeatability of Diagonal Measurements for Standardized Test Blocks Calibrated in the Microindentation Force
Ranges (# 1 kgf)A
Hardness Range of Standardized Test Blocks Force, R, %,
Knoop Vickers gf Less Than
HK > 0 HV > 0 1 # F < 100 12
HK < 100 HV < 100 100 < F # 1000 12
100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 100 # F < 500 12

250 < HK # 650 240 < HV # 600 4
HK > 650 HV > 600 3
100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 500 # F # 1000 7

250 < HK # 650 240 < HV # 600 3
HK > 650 HV > 600 2
A
In all cases, the repeatability limit is the greater of the percentage given or 0.001 mm (1 µm).
TABLE A4.2 Repeatability of Diagonal Measurements for A4.8 Certification of Standardized Test Block
Standardized Test Blocks Calibrated in the Macroindentation
Force Ranges (> 1 kgf)A A4.8.1 At a minimum the certificate accompanying each
Hardness Range of Standardized standardized hardness test block shall include the following
Force, kgf Maximum, R%
Test Blocks information. (See A4.1.2.)
100 to 240 inclusive >1 3 A4.8.1.1 The mean diagonal length and location of each of
Over 240 to 600 inclusive >1 2 the standardizing indentations.
Over 600 >1 1.5
A
A4.8.1.2 The average value of all the indentation mean
In all cases, the repeatability limit is the greater of the percentage given or 0.001
mm (1 µm).
diagonal lengths, and the corresponding hardness value.
A4.8.1.3 The test force.
A4.8.1.4 The serial number of the test block.
A4.8.1.5 The name of the manufacturer and standardizing
organization.
A4.7.2 When the test blocks are encapsulated in a mounting A4.8.1.6 The magnification used to measure the standard-
medium, the markings listed in A4.7.1 shall be permanently izing indents.
placed on the surface of the medium that contains the test A4.8.1.7 The date of standardization.
surface. A4.8.1.8 Reference to this ASTM test method.
A4.8.1.9 Value of the uncertainty in the standardized value
A4.7.3 Each of the calibration measurements shall be iden- with an explanation of how the uncertainty was calculated.
tified so that they can be located by the user. A4.8.1.10 Accreditation agency certification number.
A5. CORRECTION FACTORS FOR VICKERS HARDNESS TESTS MADE ON SPHERICAL AND CYLINDRICAL SURFACES
A5.1 Tables A5.1-A5.3 provide correction factors that shall Example A5.2
be applied to Vickers hardness values obtained when tests are Concave Cylinder, One Diagonal Parallel to Axis
Diameter of cylinder, D = 5 mm, Force, F = 30 kgf
made on spherical or cylindrical surfaces. The correction Mean diagonal of impression, d = 0.415 mm
factors are tabulated in terms of the ratio of the mean diagonal d/D = 0.415/5 = 0.083
d of the indentation to the diameter D of the sphere or cylinder. From Eq 7 and Table 2, HV = 323
From Table A5.3, correction factor = 1.075
Examples of the use of these tables are given in Example A5.1 Hardness of cylinder = 323 × 1.075 = 347 HV 30
and A5.2.
Example A5.1
NOTE A5.1—A method for correcting Vickers hardness readings taken
Convex Sphere on spherical or cylindrical surfaces can be found in the International
Diameter of sphere, D = 10 mm, Force, F = 10 kgf Organization for Standardization (ISO) Vickers Hardness Standard (ISO
Mean diagonal of impression, d = 0.150 mm 6507-1).
d/D = 0.150/10 = 0.015
From Eq 7 and Table 2, HV = 824
From Table A5.1, by interpolation, correction factor = 0.983
Hardness of sphere = 824 × 0.983 = 810 HV 10

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TABLE A5.1 Correction Factors for Use in Vickers Hardness TABLE A5.2 Correction Factors for Use in Vickers Hardness
Tests Made on Spherical Surfaces Tests Made on Cylindrical Surfaces (Diagonals at 45° to the axis)
Convex Surface Concave Surface Convex Surface Concave Surface
d/DA Correction Factor d/DA Correction Factor d/DA Correction Factor d/DA Correction Factor
0.004 0.995 0.004 1.005 0.009 0.995 0.009 1.005
0.009 0.990 0.008 1.010 0.017 0.990 0.017 1.010
0.013 0.985 0.012 1.015 0.026 0.985 0.025 1.015
0.018 0.980 0.016 1.020 0.035 0.980 0.034 1.020

0.023 0.975 0.020 1.025 0.044 0.975 0.042 1.025
0.028 0.970 0.024 1.030 0.053 0.970 0.050 1.030
0.033 0.965 0.028 1.035 0.062 0.965 0.058 1.035

0.038 0.960 0.031 1.040 0.071 0.960 0.066 1.040
0.043 0.955 0.035 1.045 0.081 0.955 0.074 1.045
0.049 0.950 0.038 1.050 0.090 0.950 0.082 1.050

0.055 0.945 0.041 1.055 0.100 0.945 0.089 1.055
0.061 0.940 0.045 1.060 0.109 0.940 0.097 1.060
0.067 0.935 0.048 1.065 0.119 0.935 0.104 1.065

0.073 0.930 0.051 1.070 0.129 0.930 0.112 1.070
0.079 0.925 0.054 1.075 0.139 0.925 0.119 1.075
0.086 0.920 0.057 1.080 0.149 0.920 0.127 1.080

0.093 0.915 0.060 1.085 0.159 0.915 0.134 1.085
0.100 0.910 0.063 1.090 0.169 0.910 0.141 1.090
0.107 0.905 0.066 1.095 0.179 0.905 0.148 1.095

0.114 0.900 0.069 1.100 0.189 0.900 0.155 1.100
0.122 0.895 0.071 1.105 0.200 0.895 0.162 1.105
0.130 0.890 0.074 1.110 0.169 1.110

0.139 0.885 0.077 1.115 0.176 1.115
0.147 0.880 0.079 1.200 0.183 1.120
0.156 0.875 0.082 1.125 0.189 1.125

0.165 0.870 0.084 1.130 0.196 1.130
0.175 0.865 0.087 1.135 0.203 1.135
0.185 0.860 0.089 1.140 0.209 1.140

0.195 0.855 0.091 1.145 0.216 1.145
0.206 0.850 0.094 1.150 0.222 1.150
A A
D = diameter of cylinder in millimetres; d = mean diagonal of indentation in D = diameter of cylinder in millimetres; d = mean diagonal of impression in
millimetres. millimetres.

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TABLE A5.3 Correction Factors for Use in Vickers Hardness
Tests Made on Cylindrical Surfaces
(One diagonal parallel to axis)
Convex Surface Concave Surface
d/DA Correction Factor d/DA Correction Factor
0.009 0.995 0.008 1.005
0.019 0.990 0.016 1.010
0.029 0.985 0.023 1.015
0.041 0.980 0.030 1.020
0.054 0.975 0.036 1.025
0.068 0.970 0.042 1.030
0.085 0.965 0.048 1.035
0.104 0.960 0.053 1.040
0.126 0.955 0.058 1.045
0.153 0.950 0.063 1.050
0.189 0.945 0.067 1.055
0.243 0.940 0.071 1.060
0.076 1.065
0.079 1.070
0.083 1.075
0.087 1.080
0.090 1.085
0.093 1.090
0.097 1.095
0.100 1.100
0.103 1.105
0.105 1.110
0.108 1.115
0.111 1.120
0.113 1.125
0.116 1.130
0.118 1.135
0.120 1.140
0.123 1.145
0.125 1.150
A
D = diameter of cylinder in millimetres; d = mean diagonal of impression in
millimetres.
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. EXAMPLES OF PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS UNCERTAINTY
X1.1 Scope the hardness measurement values and the certified hardness
X1.1.1 The intent of this appendix is to provide a basic value of the reference block. The procedure described in
approach to evaluating the uncertainty of Vickers and Knoop section X1.6 provides a method for determining the uncertainty
hardness measurement values in order to simplify and unify the in the hardness measurement error EH of the hardness machine.
interpretation of uncertainty by users of Vickers and Knoop The uncertainty value may be reported on the verification
hardness. certificate and report, and is useful to users in determining their
own measurement uncertainty.
X1.1.2 This appendix provides basic procedures for deter-
X1.1.2.2 Hardness Value Measured by a User (see
mining the uncertainty of the following values of hardness:
X1.7)—The procedure provides a method for determining the
X1.1.2.1 The Hardness Machine Error Determined as Part
uncertainty in the hardness values measured by a user during
of an Indirect Verification (see X1.6)—As part of an indirect
the normal use of a hardness machine. The user may report the
verification, a number of hardness measurements are made on
uncertainty value with the measurement value.
a reference test block. According to Annex A1, the error E is
calculated as a percent (%) error based on diagonal lengths, X1.1.2.3 Certified Value of a Hardness Test Block (see
and not hardness values (see Eq 3). Determining the uncer- X1.8)—The procedure provides a method for determining the
tainty of this value is difficult since, in addition to the uncertainty in the certified value of standardized test blocks.
resolution of the indentation measuring system, the uncertainty The standardizing agency may report the uncertainty value on
depends on the force application, indenter geometry and other the test block certificate.
parameters, but it provides little information to the customer. A NOTE X1.1—When calculated, uncertainty values reported by a field
better indication of measurement uncertainty is the uncertainty calibration agency (see X1.6) are not the measurement uncertainties of the
of the difference, or hardness error EH, between the average of hardness machine in operation, but only that of the measurements made at

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the time of verification to determine machine “error.” X1.3 General Requirements
NOTE X1.2—The procedures outlined in this appendix for the determi-
nation of uncertainties are based primarily on measurements made as part X1.3.1 The approach for determining uncertainty presented
of the verification and standardization procedures of this test method. This in this appendix considers only those uncertainties associated
is done to provide a method that is based on familiar procedures and with the overall measurement performance of the Vickers or
practices of Vickers and Knoop hardness users and standardizing agencies. Knoop hardness machine with respect to reference standards.
The reader should be aware that there are other methods that may be
employed to determine the same uncertainties, which may provide more These performance uncertainties reflect the combined effect of
accurate estimations of the uncertainty values. the separate uncertainties associated with the numerous indi-
NOTE X1.3—This standard states tolerances or limits on the acceptable vidual components of the machine, such as the force applica-
repeatability and error of a Vickers or Knoop hardness machine (Table tion system and indentation measuring system. Therefore, the
A1.3 and Table A1.4) and the nonuniformity of standardized blocks (Table uncertainties associated with the individual components of the
A4.1 and Table A4.2). These limit values were originally established
based on the testing experience of many users of the Vickers and Knoop machine are not included in the calculations. Because of this
hardness tests, and therefore reflect the normal performance of a properly approach, it is important that the individual machine compo-
functioning Vickers or Knoop hardness machine, including the normal nents are operating within tolerances. It is strongly recom-
errors associated with the measurement procedure and the machine’s mended that this procedure be applied only after successfully
performance. Because the limits are based on testing experience, it is
believed that the stated limit values take into account a level of uncertainty
passing a direct verification.
that is typical for valid Vickers and Knoop hardness measurements. X1.3.2 The procedures given in this appendix are appropri-
Consequently, when determining compliance with Table A1.3, Table A1.4, ate only when the Vickers or Knoop hardness machine has
Table A4.1 and Table A4.2, the user’s measurement uncertainty should not
be subtracted from the tolerance limit values given in the tables, as is passed an indirect verification in accordance with the proce-
commonly done for other types of metrological measurements. The dures and schedules of this test method standard.
calculated values for repeatability, error or block nonuniformity should be X1.3.3 The procedures for calculating the uncertainty of
directly compared to the tolerance limits given in the tables.
NOTE X1.4—Most product specification tolerances for Vickers and Vickers and Knoop hardness measurement values are similar
Knoop hardness were established based on testing and performance for both a standardizing machine and testing machine. The
experience. The tolerance values reflect the normal performance of a principal difference is in the hierarchy level of the reference
properly functioning Vickers and Knoop hardness machines, including the test blocks normally used for the indirect verification.
normal acceptable errors associated with the hardness measurement
process. For these products, the stated tolerance limits take into account a
Generally, standardizing machines are verified using primary
level of uncertainty that is typical for valid Vickers and Knoop hardness reference standards, and testing machines are standardized
measurements. Consequently, when acceptance testing most products for using secondary reference standards.
Vickers or Knoop hardness, the user’s measurement uncertainty should
not be subtracted from the tolerance limit values given in the specification. X1.3.4 To estimate the overall uncertainty of Vickers and
The measured hardness values should be directly compared to the Knoop hardness measurement values, contributing components
tolerances. There may be exceptional circumstances where the hardness of of uncertainty must be determined. Because many of the
a product must fall within determined ranges to a high level of confidence. uncertainties may vary depending on the specific hardness
In these rare occasions, special agreement between the parties involved scale and hardness level, an individual measurement uncer-
should be obtained before the hardness measurement uncertainty is
subtracted from the tolerance limits. Before such an agreement is made, it tainty should be determined for each hardness scale and
is recommended that the product design take into consideration the hardness level of interest. In many cases, a single uncertainty
anticipated influence of material and metallurgical factors on the product value may be applied to a range of hardness levels based on the
variation as well as typical industry hardness uncertainty values. laboratory’s experience and knowledge of the operation of the
X1.1.3 This appendix does not address uncertainties at the hardness machine.
primary reference standardizing level. X1.3.5 Uncertainty should be determined with respect to a
X1.2 Equations country’s highest level of reference standard or the national
reference standard of another country. In some cases, the
X1.2.1 The average (AVG), H̄, of a set of n hardness
highest level of reference standard may be a commercial
measurements H1, H2, …, Hn is calculated as:
reference standard.
H 1 1H 2 1· · ·1H n
AVG ~ H 1 , H 2 , … , H n ! 5 H̄ 5 (X1.1)
n X1.4 General Procedure
X1.2.2 The standard deviation (STDEV) of a set of n X1.4.1 This procedure calculates a combined standard un-
hardness measurements H1, H2, …, Hn is calculated as: certainty uc by combining the contributing components of
STDEV ~ H 1 , H 2 , … , H n ! 5 Œ~ H 1 2 H̄ ! 1· · ·1 ~ H n 2 H̄ !
2
n21
2 uncertainty u1, u2, …, un, such that:
u c 5 =u 21 1u 22 1· · ·1u 2n (X1.3)
(X1.2) X1.4.2 Measurement uncertainty is usually expressed as an
where H̄ is the average of the set of n hardness measure- expanded uncertainty U which is calculated by multiplying the
ments H1, H2, …, Hn as defined in Eq X1.1.
combined standard uncertainty uc by a numerical coverage
X1.2.3 The absolute value (ABS) of a number is the mag- factor k, such that:
nitude of the value irrespective of the sign, for example:
U 5 k × uc (X1.4)
ABS(0.12) = 0.12
and X1.4.3 A coverage factor is chosen that depends on how
ABS(–0.12) = 0.12 well the standard uncertainty was estimated (number of

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measurements), and the level of uncertainty that is desired. For X1.5.3.1 The contribution that a hardness machine’s lack of
this analysis, a coverage factor of k = 2 should be used. This repeatability makes to the overall measurement uncertainty is
coverage factor provides a confidence level of approximately determined differently depending on whether a single measure-
95 %. ment value or an average of multiple measurements is to be
X1.4.4 The measurement bias B of the hardness machine is reported. Additionally, in cases where the reported average
the difference between the expected hardness measurement measurement value is intended to be an estimate of the average
values as displayed by the hardness machine and the “true” hardness of the material tested, the uncertainty contributions
hardness of a material. Ideally, measurement biases should be due to the machine’s lack of repeatability and the non-
corrected. When test systems are not corrected for measure- uniformity in the hardness of the test material are difficult to
ment bias, as often occurs in Vickers and Knoop hardness separate and must be determined together. The uncertainty
testing, the bias then contributes to the overall uncertainty in a contributions for each of these circumstances may be estimated
measurement. There are a number of possible methods for as follows.
incorporating biases into an uncertainty calculation, each of X1.5.3.2 Single Hardness Measurement—For a future
which has both advantages and disadvantages. A simple and single hardness measurement, the standard uncertainty contri-
conservative method is to combine the bias with the calculation bution uRepeat, due to the lack of repeatability, may be esti-
of the expanded uncertainty as: mated by the standard deviation of the values from a number of
U 5 ku c 1ABS ~ B ! (X1.5) hardness measurements made on a uniform test specimen as:
where ABS(B) is the absolute value of the bias. u Repeat 5 STDEV~ H 1 , H 2 , … , H n ! (X1.6)
X1.4.5 Because several approaches may be used to evaluate where H1, H2, ..., Hn are the n hardness values. In general,
the estimate of repeatability is improved as the number of
and express measurement uncertainty, a brief description of hardness measurements is increased. Usually, the hardness
what the reported uncertainty values represent should be values measured during an indirect verification will provide
included with the reported uncertainty value. an adequate estimate of uRepeat; however, the caution given
in Note X1.6 should be considered. It may be more appro-
X1.5 Sources of Uncertainty priate for the user to determine a value of uRepeat by making
X1.5.1 This section describes the most significant sources hardness measurements close together (within spacing limita-
of uncertainty in a Vickers or Knoop hardness measurement tions) on a uniform material, such as a test block.
and provides procedures and formulas for calculating the total NOTE X1.5—The uncertainty uRepeat, due to the lack of repeatability of
uncertainty in the hardness value. In later sections, it will be a hardness machine as discussed above, should not be confused with the
shown how these sources of uncertainty contribute to the total historically defined “repeatability” that is a requirement to be met as part
of an indirect verification (see A1.4.7.3). The calculations of the uncer-
measurement uncertainty for the three measurement circum- tainty uRepeat and of the historically defined repeatability do not produce
stances described in X1.1.2. the same value. The uncertainty uRepeat is the contribution to the overall
X1.5.2 The sources of uncertainty to be discussed are (1) the uncertainty of a hardness measurement value due to a machine’s lack of
repeatability, while the historically defined repeatability is the range of
hardness machine’s lack of repeatability, (2) the non- hardness values measured during an indirect verification.
uniformity in hardness of the material under test, (3) the NOTE X1.6—All materials exhibit some degree of hardness non-
hardness machine’s lack of reproducibility, (4) the resolution uniformity across the test surface. Therefore, the above evaluation of the
of the hardness machine’s indentation measurement display, uncertainty contribution due to the lack of repeatability will also include
and (5) the uncertainty in the certified value of the reference a contribution due to the hardness non-uniformity of the measured
material. When evaluating repeatability as discussed above, any uncer-
test block standards. An estimation of the measurement bias tainty contribution due to the hardness non-uniformity should be mini-
and its inclusion into the expanded uncertainty will also be mized as much as possible. The laboratory should be cautioned that if the
discussed. measurements of repeatability are based on tests made across the surface
of the material, then the repeatability value will likely include a significant
X1.5.3 Uncertainty Due to Lack of Repeatability (uRepeat) uncertainty contribution due to the material’s non-uniformity. A machine’s
and when Combined with Non-uniformity (uRep&NU)—The repeatability is better evaluated by making hardness measurements close
repeatability of a hardness machine is an indication of how together (within spacing limitations).
well it can continually produce the same hardness value each
X1.5.3.3 Average of Multiple Measurements—When the
time a measurement is made. Imagine there is a material, which
average of multiple hardness test values is to be due reported,
is perfectly uniform in hardness over its entire surface. Also
the standard uncertainty contribution u Repeat
¯ due to the lack of
imagine that hardness measurements are made repeatedly on
repeatability of the hardness machine, may be estimated by
this uniform material over a short period of time without
dividing the standard uncertainty contribution uRepeat (previ-
varying the testing conditions, including the operator. Even
ously calculated from a number of hardness measurements
though the actual hardness of every test location is exactly the
made on a uniform test specimen, see X1.5.3.1) by the
same, it would be found that due to random errors each
square-root of the number of hardness test values being
measurement value would differ from all other measurement
averaged, as:
values (assuming sufficient measurement resolution).
Therefore, lack of repeatability prevents the hardness machine u Repeat
¯ 5
u Repeat (X1.7)
from being able to always measure the true hardness of the =n T
material, and hence contributes to the uncertainty in the where uRepeat is calculated by Eq X1.6 and nT is the number
measurement. of individual hardness test values being averaged.

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X1.5.3.4 Estimate of the Material Hardness—Hardness system resolution rH, may be described by a rectangular
measurements are often made at several locations and the distribution and estimated as:
values averaged in order to estimate the average hardness of rH ⁄ 2 rH
the material as a whole. For example, this may be done when u Resol 5 5 (X1.10)
making quality control measurements during the manufacture
=3 =12
where rH is the resolution limit that a hardness value can be
of many types of products; when determining the machine estimated from the indentation diagonal measurement system
error E as part of an indirect verification; and when calibrating in hardness units. It is important to note that the resolution
a test block. Because all materials exhibit some degree of limit rH will be dependent not only on the length resolution
hardness non-uniformity across the test surface, the extent of a rd of the indentation measurement system, but also on the
material’s non-uniformity also contributes to the uncertainty in hardness value H̄ and the corresponding diagonal length d.
The measurement resolution in diagonal length units may be
this estimate of the average hardness of the material. When the converted to the resolution in hardness units as:
average of multiple hardness measurement values is calculated
as an estimate of the average material or product hardness, it 2 × H̄
rH 5 rd × (X1.11)
may be desired to state the uncertainty in this value with d
respect to the true hardness of the material. In this case, the NOTE X1.8—The influence of measurement resolution can be a signifi-
combined uncertainty contributions due to the lack of repeat- cant contribution to HV and HK measurement uncertainty, particularly for
small indentations. Consider the case of measuring a small indentation, for
ability in the hardness machine and the non-uniformity in the example having a 25 µm diagonal length, with a measuring system having
test material may be estimated from the “standard deviation of a resolution of 1 µm. It is probable that every measurement of the
the mean” of the hardness measurement values. This is indentation would yield the same measurement value, indicating that the
calculated as the standard deviation of the hardness values, measurement uncertainty due to the (lack of) repeatability in the ability to
measure the indentation diagonal length would be negligent or zero.
divided by the square-root of the number of measurements as: However, this is probably not the case. The actual uncertainty in the
STDEV ~ H T1 , H T2 , … , H Tn ! measurement repeatability is likely much higher due to the measurement
u Rep&NU 5 (X1.8) resolution.
=n T Several factors should be considered when determining how resolution
where HT1, HT2, ..., HTn are the nT measurement values. contributes to the overall hardness measurement uncertainty. The resolu-
tion contributions are also dependent on the type of measurement system
X1.5.4 Uncertainty Due to Lack of Reproducibility used. In most cases, a Vickers or Knoop indentation diagonal length is
(uReprod)—The day-to-day variation in the performance of the measured by locating and resolving the indentation tips at each end of the
hardness machine is known as its level of reproducibility. diagonal. The ability of the measuring system to resolve the indentation tip
Variations such as different machine operators and changes in is partly due to the incremental resolution of the system, but also due to
the optical resolution of the microscope objective. In the case of video
the test environment often influence the performance of the measurement systems, the incremental resolution may be based on the
hardness machine. The level of reproducibility is best deter- incremental length spacing observed on the sample corresponding to two
mined by monitoring the performance of the hardness machine adjacent video display pixels, or how the measurement software resolves
over an extended period of time during which the hardness the video image. In the case of using an optical microscope with a filar
machine is subjected to the extremes of variations in the testing eyepiece, the incremental resolution may be based on the resolution of the
measurement display or micrometre scale. The resolution of the measuring
variables. It is very important that the test machine be in system is also dependent on the resolution of the microscope objective
control during the assessment of reproducibility. If the machine based on the wavelength of light used to observe the indentation and the
is in need of maintenance or is operated incorrectly, the lack of numerical aperture of the lens (see 7.9.1).
reproducibility will be overestimated. To determine the overall measurement uncertainty due to the measure-
ment resolution, both the uncertainties due to the incremental resolution of
X1.5.5 An assessment of a hardness machine’s lack of the system uResol(incr) and the optical resolution of the microscope
reproducibility should be based on periodic monitoring mea- objective uResol(obj) should be taken into account.
The hardness measurement uncertainty due to resolving the tip of one
surements of the hardness machine, such as periodic verifica- 2 2
5 u Resol 2
end of an indentation diagonal is u Resol ~ incr! 1u Resol~ obj! , calculating
tion measurements made on the same test block over time. The uResol(incr) and uResol(obj) using Eq X1.10 after converting rd to rH
uncertainty contribution may be estimated by the standard according to Eq X1.11. Since the measurement of a diagonal length
deviation of the average of each set of monitoring values, as: usually involves resolving both tips of the diagonal, the uncertainty due to
resolving both ends of an indentation diagonal is u Resol 2
52× ~ u Resol2
~ incr!
u Reprod 5 STDEV ~ M 1 , M 2 , … , M n ! (X1.9)
~ obj! !
2
1 u Resol which is the uncertainty due the resolution of measuring a
where M1, M2, ..., Mn are individual averages of each of the single diagonal length. For a Knoop or Vickers hardness measurement,
n sets of multiple monitoring measurement values. =
u Resol5 2× ~ u Resol ~ incr! 1 u Resol~ obj! ! .
2 2
NOTE X1.7—The uncertainty contribution due to the lack of

reproducibility, as calculated in Eq X1.9, also includes a contribution due X1.5.7 Standard Uncertainty in the Certified Average Hard-
to the machine’s lack of repeatability and the non-uniformity of the ness Value of the Reference Test Block (uRefBlk)—Reference test
monitoring test block; however, these contributions are based on the blocks provide the link to the Vickers and Knoop standards to
average of multiple measurements and should not significantly over- which traceability is claimed. The certificate accompanying
estimate the reproducibility uncertainty.
reference test blocks should provide an uncertainty in the stated
X1.5.6 Uncertainty Due to the Resolution of the Indentation certified value, and should state to which Vickers or Knoop
Measuring System (uResol)—The finite resolution of the inden- standard the reference test block value is traceable. This
tation measuring system prevents the hardness machine from uncertainty contributes to the measurement uncertainty of
providing an absolutely accurate hardness value. The uncer- hardness machines calibrated or verified with the reference test
tainty contribution uResol, due to the influence of the measuring blocks. Note that the uncertainty reported on reference test

24
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E92 − 23
block certificates is typically stated as an expanded uncertainty. X1.6.3 The combined standard uncertainty uMach and the
As indicated by Eq X1.4, the expanded uncertainty is calcu- expanded uncertainty UMach are calculated by combining the
lated by multiplying the standard uncertainty by a coverage appropriate uncertainty components described above for each
factor (often 2). This analysis uses the standard uncertainty and hardness level of each Vickers and Knoop hardness scale as:
not the expanded uncertainty value. Thus, the uncertainty value
u Mach 5 =u Rep&NU
2
~ Ref.Block! 1u Resol
2 2
1u RefBlk (X1.14)
due to the uncertainty in the certified value of the reference test
block usually may be calculated as: and
U RefBlk U Mach 5 k × u Mach (X1.15)
u RefBlk 5 (X1.12)
k RefBlk X1.6.4 For this analysis, a coverage factor of k = 2 should
where URefBlk is the reported expanded uncertainty of the
certified value of the reference test block, and kRefBlk is the be used. This coverage factor provides a confidence level of
coverage factor used to calculate the uncertainty in the certi- approximately 95 %.
fied value of the reference standard (usually 2). NOTE X1.9—The uncertainty contribution uMach as calculated in Eq
X1.14 does not include a contribution due to the machine’s lack of
X1.5.8 Measurement Bias (B)—The measurement bias is reproducibility. This is because it is assumed that the indirect verification
the difference between the hardness measurement values as is made while the hardness machine is operating at its optimal perfor-
displayed by the hardness machine and the “true” hardness of mance level with the best possible environmental conditions.
NOTE X1.10—The expanded uncertainty UMach will commonly be
a material. The measurement bias B may be estimated by the
larger than the value of the hardness machine “error.”
error E determined as part of the indirect verification as:
X1.6.5 Reporting the Measurement Uncertainty—This ex-
B 5 H̄ 2 H̄ RefBlk (X1.13) panded uncertainty UMach may be reported by a calibration
where H̄ is the mean hardness value as measured by the agency to its customer as an indication of the uncertainty in the
hardness machine during the indirect verification, and H̄RefBlk hardness machine error E reported as part of the indirect
is the certified average hardness value of the reference test
block standard used for the indirect verification. verification of a Vickers or Knoop hardness machine. The
value of UMach should be supplemented with a statement
X1.6 Procedure for Calculating Uncertainty: Indirect defining to what Vickers or Knoop hardness scale and hardness
Verification level the uncertainty is applicable, with an explanatory state-
ment such as, “The expanded uncertainty of the hardness
X1.6.1 As part of an indirect verification, the percent (%) machine error E reported as part of the indirect verification for
error E of the hardness machine is determined from the average the stated hardness scale(s) and hardness level(s) is with
of diagonal length measurements made on a reference test respect to hardness reference standards maintained at
block (see Eq 3 and A1.4). This value provides an indication of (for example, NIST), and was calculated in
how well the hardness machine can measure the “true” accordance with Appendix X1 of ASTM E92 with a coverage
hardness of a material; however, determining the uncertainty of factor of 2 representing a confidence level of approximately 95
this value is not useful to the user (see X1.1.2.1). This section %.”
provides a procedure that can be used, for example by a field
calibration agency, to estimate the uncertainty UMach in the X1.6.6 The standard uncertainty value uMach can be used as
hardness measurement error EH of the hardness machine an uncertainty contribution when determining the measurement
determined as the difference between the average of the uncertainty of future measurements made with the hardness
measurement values and the certified value of the reference machine (see X1.7 and X1.8).
block used for the verification. Since there is always uncer- X1.6.7 Example X1.1—This example illustrates how to
tainty in a hardness measurement, it follows that there must be calculate the uncertainty UMach in the hardness measurement
uncertainty in the determination of the average value of the error EH of the hardness machine determined as the difference
measurements, and thus the determination of the machine error. between the average of the measurement values and the
X1.6.2 The contributions to the standard uncertainty of the certified value of a reference block. An evaluation will only be
hardness measurement error, uMach, are: made for measurements made on a Knoop reference block with
(1) uRep&NU (Ref. Block), the uncertainty due to the lack of a reported certified value of 420 HK 0.3 and an expanded
repeatability of the hardness machine combined with the uncertainty of URefBlk = 6 HK 0.3. The microscope used to
uncertainty due to the non-uniformity in the reference test measure the indentations has a resolution of 1 µm. The agency
block (Eq X1.8), which is determined from the hardness performs five verification measurements on the block. The five
measurements made on a reference test block to determine the diagonal measurements are 103.9, 104.8, 102.3, 102.8 and
error E of the hardness machine. The notation (Ref. Block) is 100.2 µm, which calculate to 395, 389, 408, 404, and 425 HK
added to the term uRep&NU to clarify that the uncertainty is 0.3, resulting in an average value of 404 HK 0.3. Therefore:
determined from measurements made on the reference block STDEV s 395 , 389 , 408 , 404 , 425d
u Rep&NU s Ref.Blockd 5
used for the indirect verification, œ5
or
(2) uResol, the uncertainty due to the resolution of the
u Rep&NU s Ref.Blockd 56.18 HK 0.3
indentation measuring system (Eq X1.10) in hardness units,
and r d 51 µm50.001 mm
(3) uRefBlk, the standard uncertainty in the certified value of
the reference test block (Eq X1.12). r H 5 r d ×2× H̄ ⁄ d 50.001×2×404.2 ⁄ 0.1028

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or (3) uResol, the uncertainty due to the resolution of the
r H 57.86 HK 0.3 indentation measuring system (Eq X1.10), and
(4) uMach, the uncertainty in determining the error E of the
rH ⁄ 2 rH
u Resol 5 5 52.27 HK 0.3 hardness machine (Eq X1.14).
œ3 œ12
6
The combined standard uncertainty uMeas is calculated by
u RefBlk 5 53 HK 0.3 combining the appropriate uncertainty components described
2
Thus, above for the applicable hardness level and Vickers and Knoop
u Mach 5 œ6.182 12.272 13 2 57.24 HK 0.3 hardness scale as:
U Mach 52×7.24514.5 HK 0.3 u Meas 5 =u 2

¯
2
1u Reprod
Repeat
2
1u Resol 2
1u Mach (X1.17)
Therefore, the uncertainty in the –16 HK 0.3 error EH in the X1.7.4 The measurement uncertainty discussed above for
hardness machine is 14.5 HK 0.3. Although this evaluation was the single and average hardness values only represents the
made on material having a hardness of approximately 420 HK uncertainties of the measurement process and are independent
0.3, the uncertainty may be considered to apply to the entire of any test material non-uniformity.
mid-range of the HK 0.3 hardness scale. This calculation must
be made for the low and high ranges of the HK 0.3 hardness X1.7.5 Average Measurement Value as an Estimate of the
scale, as well as for the ranges of the other Vickers and Knoop Average Material Hardness—Measurement laboratories and
hardness scales that are verified. manufacturing facilities often measure the Vickers or Knoop
NOTE X1.11—The reader should be aware that in computing the final hardness of a test specimen or product for the purpose of
uncertainty value in all examples in this appendix, no rounding of results estimating the average hardness of the test material. Usually,
was done between steps. Consequently, if individual equations are solved multiple hardness measurements are made across the surface of
using the rounded values that are given at each step of this example, some the test piece, and then the average of the hardness values is
computed results might differ in value in the last decimal place from the reported as an estimation of the average hardness of the
results stated.
material. If it is desired to report the uncertainty as an
indication of how well the average measurement value repre-
X1.7 Procedure for Calculating Uncertainty: Vickers and
sents the true average hardness of the material, then the
Knoop Hardness Measurement Values
contributions to the standard uncertainty uMeas are:
X1.7.1 The uncertainty UMeas in a hardness value measured (1) uRep&NU (Material), the uncertainty due to the ma-
by a user may be thought of as an indication of how well the chine’s lack of repeatability combined with the uncertainty due
measured value agrees with the “true” value of the hardness of to the material’s non-uniformity (Eq X1.8), which is deter-
the material. mined from the hardness measurements made on the test
X1.7.2 Single Measurement Value—When measurement un- material. The notation (Material) is added to the term uRep&NU
certainty for a single hardness measurement value is to be to clarify that the uncertainty is determined from measurements
determined, the contributions to the standard uncertainty uMeas made on the material under test.
are: (2) uReprod, the uncertainty contribution due to the lack of
(1) uRepeat, the uncertainty due to the machine’s lack of reproducibility (Eq X1.9),
repeatability (Eq X1.6), (3) uResol, the uncertainty due to the resolution of the
(2) uReprod, the uncertainty contribution due to the lack of indentation measuring system (Eq X1.10), and
reproducibility (Eq X1.9), (4) uMach, the uncertainty in determining the error E of the
(3) uResol, the uncertainty due to the resolution of the hardness machine (Eq X1.14).
indentation measuring system (Eq X1.10), and X1.7.6 The combined standard uncertainty uMeas is calcu-
(4) uMach, the uncertainty in determining the error E of the lated by combining the appropriate uncertainty components
hardness machine (Eq X1.14). described above for the applicable hardness level and Vickers
The combined standard uncertainty uMeas is calculated by or Knoop hardness scale as:
combining the appropriate uncertainty components described
above for the applicable hardness level and Vickers or Knoop u Meas 5 =u Rep&NU
2
~ Material! 1u Reprod
2 2
1u Resol 2
1u Mach (X1.18)
hardness scale as: X1.7.7 When reporting uncertainty as an indication of how
well the average measurement value represents the true aver-
u Meas 5 =u Repeat
2 2
1u Reprod 2
1u Resol 2
1u Mach (X1.16) age hardness of the material, it is important to ensure that a
X1.7.3 Average Measurement Value—In the case that mea- sufficient number of measurements are made at the appropriate
surement uncertainty is to be determined for an average value test locations to provide a representative sampling of any
of multiple hardness measurements, made either on the same variations in the hardness of the material.
test piece or multiple test pieces, the contributions to the X1.7.8 The expanded uncertainty UMeas is calculated for the
standard uncertainty uMeas are: three cases discussed above as:
¯ , the uncertainty due to the machine’s lack of
(1) u Repeat
U Meas 5 k × u Meas 1ABS ~ B ! (X1.19)
repeatability based on the average of multiple measurements
(Eq X1.7), For this analysis, a coverage factor of k = 2 should be used.
(2) uReprod, the uncertainty contribution due to the lack of This coverage factor provides a confidence level of approxi-
reproducibility (Eq X1.9), mately 95 %.

26
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E92 − 23
X1.7.9 Reporting Measurement Uncertainty: r H 511.21 HV 0.5
X1.7.9.1 Single and Average Measurement Values—When
rH ⁄ 2 rH
the reported measurement value is for a single hardness test or u Resol5 5 53.24 HV 0.5
the average of multiple hardness tests, then the value of UMeas œ3 œ12
9.2
should be supplemented with an explanatory statement such as, u Mach 5
2
54.6 HV 0.5
“The expanded measurement uncertainty of the reported hard- Thus,
ness value (or average hardness value) is with respect to u Meas 5 œ3.12 14.22 13.242 14.62 157.68 HV 0.5
hardness reference standards maintained at [for and since B = –6 HV 0.5,
example, NIST], and was calculated in accordance with
U Meas 5 s 2 × 7.68d 1 ABS s 2 6 d
Appendix X1 of ASTM E92 with a coverage factor of 2
representing a confidence level of approximately 95 %.” or
X1.7.9.2 Average Measurement Value as an Estimate of the U Meas 521.4 HV 0.5
Average Material Hardness—When it is desired to report the for the average value of the hardness measurements made on
uncertainty as an indication of how well the average measure- the single product item.
ment value represents the true average hardness of the material,
then the value of UMeas should be supplemented with an X1.8 Procedure for Calculating Uncertainty: Certified
explanatory statement such as, “The expanded uncertainty of Value of Standardized Test Blocks
the reported average hardness of the material under test is X1.8.1 Standardizing laboratories engaged in the calibration
based on uncertainty contributions from the measurement of reference test blocks must determine the uncertainty in the
process and from the hardness non-uniformity of the material. reported certified value. This uncertainty UCert provides an
The uncertainty is with respect to hardness reference standards indication of how well the certified value would agree with the
maintained at [for example, NIST], and was “true” average hardness of the test block.
calculated in accordance with Appendix X1 of ASTM E92 with
a coverage factor of 2 representing a confidence level of X1.8.2 Test blocks are certified as having an average
approximately 95 %.” If the test report does not state the hardness value based on calibration measurements made across
number of measurements that were averaged and the locations the surface of the test block. This analysis is essentially
that the measurements were made, then this information should identical to the analysis given in X1.7.5 for measuring the
also be included as part of the brief explanation of how the average hardness of a product. In this case, the product is a
uncertainty was calculated. calibrated reference test block. The contributions to the stan-
X1.7.9.3 Example X1.2—For this example, a laboratory dard uncertainty UCert of the certified average value of the test
examines its product by making six Vickers HV 0.5 hardness block are:
measurements across its surface as an estimate of the product (1) uRep&NU (Calib.Block), the uncertainty due to the stan-
hardness. The values of the hardness measurements of the dardizing machines lack of repeatability combined with the
product were 303, 310, 301, 312, 301 and 320, resulting in an uncertainty due to the calibrated blocks non-uniformity (Eq
average value of 308 HV 0.5. The microscope used to measure X1.8), which is determined from the calibration measurements
the indentations has a resolution of 1 µm. The laboratory would made on the test block. The notation (Calib.Block) is added to
like to determine the measurement uncertainty in the average the term uRep&NU to clarify that the uncertainty is determined
hardness value. A hardness of 308 HV 0.5 is in the mid-range from calibration measurements made on the calibrated block.
of the HV 0.5 test range (see Table A1.3). The last indirect (2) UReprod, the uncertainty contribution due to the lack of
verification of the mid-range of the HV 0.5 test range reported reproducibility (Eq X1.9),
UMach = 8.4 HV 0.5 and an error E of –6 HV 0.5. Therefore: (3) UResol, the uncertainty due to the resolution of the
standardizing machines indentation measuring system (Eq
STDEV s 303 , 310 , 301 , 312 , 301 , 320d
u Rep&NU s Materiald 5 X1.10), and
œ6
(4) UMach, the uncertainty in determining the error E of the
u Rep&NU s Material d 53.1 HV 0.5
standardizing machine (Eq X1.14).
For this example, assume the hardness machine has been X1.8.3 The combined standard uncertainty uCert and the
monitored for an extended period of time, and from Eq X1.9, expanded uncertainty UCert are calculated by combining the
it was determined that uReprod = 4.2 HV 0.5 for the mid-range appropriate uncertainty components described above for each
of the HV 0.5 test range. Other uncertainty contributions are hardness level of each Vickers or Knoop test force and indenter
calculated as: combination as:
r d 51 µm50.001 mm u Cert 5 =u Rep&NU
2
~ Calib.Block! 1u Reprod
2 2
1u Resol 2
1u Mach
r H 5 r d ×2× H̄ ⁄ d 50.001×2×307.8 ⁄ 0.0549 (X1.20)
or U Cert 5 k × u Cert 1ABS ~ B ! (X1.21)

27
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
E92 − 23
X1.8.4 For this analysis, a coverage factor of k = 2 should STDEV s 674 , 674 , 680 , 682 , 670d
u Rep&NU s Calib.Blockd 5
be used. This coverage factor provides a confidence level of œ5
approximately 95 %. u Rep&NU s Calib.Blockd 52.2 HV 5
X1.8.5 Reporting the Measurement Uncertainty—The value

of UCert is an estimate of the uncertainty in the reported For this example, assume the hardness machine has been
certified average hardness value of a reference test block. The monitored for an extended period of time, and from Eq X1.9,
reported value should be supplemented with a statement it was determined that uReprod = 3.8 HV 5 for the high-range of
defining to what Vickers or Knoop test force and indenter the HV 5 test range. Other uncertainty contributions are
combination and hardness level the uncertainty is applicable, calculated as:
with an explanatory statement such as, “The expanded uncer- r d 51 µm50.001 mm
tainty in the certified value of the test block is with respect to
r H 5 r d ×2× H̄ ⁄ d 50.001×2×676 ⁄ 0.1171
hardness reference standards maintained at [for
example, NIST], and was calculated in accordance with or
Appendix X1 of ASTM E92 with a coverage factor of 2 r H 511.55 HV 5
representing a confidence level of approximately 95 %.” rH ⁄ 2 rH
u Resol5 5 53.33 HV 5
X1.8.6 Example X1.3—A secondary level test-block stan- œ3 œ12
dardizing laboratory has completed the calibration of a HV 5 u Mach 5
6.4
53.2 HV 5
test block in the high hardness range. The values of the 2
calibration measurements of the block were 674, 674, 680, 682, Thus,
and 670 HV 5, resulting in an average value of 676 HV 5. The u Meas 5 œ2.22 13.82 13.332 13.22 156.37 HV 5
laboratory must determine the uncertainty in the certified and since B = +5 HV 5,
average hardness value of the block. A hardness of 676 HV 5 U Meas 5 s 2 × 7.68d 1 ABS s 5 d
is considered within the high-range of the HV 5 test range (see
or
Table A1.3). The last indirect verification of the high-range of
the HV 5 test range reported UMach = 6.4 HV 5 and an error E U Meas 517.7 HV 5
of +5 HV 5. The microscope used to measure the indentations for the certified hardness value of the single calibrated test
has a resolution of 1 µm. Therefore: block.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee E28 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (E92–17)
that may impact the use of this standard.
(1) 6.6 was revised. (3) 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4 were added.
(2) 8.1 was revised.
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
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28
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Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic Materials: Standard Test Methods For

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Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic Materials: Standard Test Methods For

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

Standard Test Methods for

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

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R 5 100 × S d max 2 d min

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5.8 Calculation of the Vickers Hardness Number—The

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FIG. 1 Minimum Recommended Spacing for Vickers and Knoop Indentations

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TABLE 4 Vickers Hardness at 1 kgf Test Force (HV 1)

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TABLE 6 Vickers Hardness at 10 kgf Test Force (HV 10)

TABLE 7 Vickers Hardness at 20 kgf Test Force (HV 20)

TABLE 8 Vickers Hardness at 50 kgf Test Force (HV 50)

A1. VERIFICATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS TESTING MACHINES

A1.1 Scope A1.2 General Requirements

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TABLE A1.3 Repeatability and Error of Testing Machines—Test Forces # 1 kgfA

HK > 0 HV > 0 1 # F < 100 13 3

100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 100 # F < 500 13 2

100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 500 # F # 1000 8 2

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A2. VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS STANDARDIZING MACHINES

A2.1 Scope A2.2 Accreditation

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A3. STANDARDIZATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP INDENTERS

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FIG. A3.1 Vickers Indenter

FIG. A3.2 Knoop Indenter

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A4. STANDARDIZATION OF VICKERS AND KNOOP HARDNESS TEST BLOCKS

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HK > 0 HV > 0 1 # F < 100 12

HK < 100 HV < 100 100 < F # 1000 12

100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 100 # F < 500 12

100 # HK # 250 100 # HV # 240 500 # F # 1000 7

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0.018 0.980 0.016 1.020 0.035 0.980 0.034 1.020

0.033 0.965 0.028 1.035 0.062 0.965 0.058 1.035

0.049 0.950 0.038 1.050 0.090 0.950 0.082 1.050

0.067 0.935 0.048 1.065 0.119 0.935 0.104 1.065

0.086 0.920 0.057 1.080 0.149 0.920 0.127 1.080

0.107 0.905 0.066 1.095 0.179 0.905 0.148 1.095

0.130 0.890 0.074 1.110 0.169 1.110

0.156 0.875 0.082 1.125 0.189 1.125

0.185 0.860 0.089 1.140 0.209 1.140

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NOTE X1.7—The uncertainty contribution due to the lack of

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