ASTM E2546-07e1

Standard Practice for Instrumented Indentation Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 IIT Instruments are used to quantitatively measure various mechanical properties of thin coatings and other volumes of material when other traditional methods of determining material properties cannot be used due to the size or condition of the sample. This practice will establish the basic requirements for those instruments. It is intended that IIT based test methods will be able to refer to this practice for the basic requirements for force and displacement accuracy, reproducibility, verification, reporting, etc., that are necessary for obtaining meaningful test results.  
5.2 IIT is not restricted to specific test forces, displacement ranges, or indenter types. This practice covers the requirements for a wide range of nano, micro, and macro (see ISO 14577-1) indentation testing applications. The various IIT instruments are required to adhere to the requirements of the practice within the their specific design ranges.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice defines the basic steps of Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT) and establishes the requirements, accuracies, and capabilities needed by an instrument to successfully perform the test and produce the data that can be used for the determination of indentation hardness and other material characteristics. IIT is a mechanical test that measures the response of a material to the imposed stress and strain of a shaped indenter by forcing the indenter into a material and monitoring the force on, and displacement of, the indenter as a function of time during the full loading-unloading test cycle.  
1.2 The operational features of an IIT instrument, as well as requirements for Instrument Verification (Annex A1), Standardized Reference Blocks (Annex A2) and Indenter Requirements (Annex A3) are defined. This practice is not intended to be a complete purchase specification for an IIT instrument.  
1.3 With the exception of the non-mandatory Appendix X4, this practice does not define the analysis necessary to determine material properties. That analysis is left for other test methods. Appendix X4 includes some basic analysis techniques to allow for the indirect performance verification of an IIT instrument by using test blocks.  
1.4 Zero point determination, instrument compliance determination and the indirect determination of an indenter’s area function are important parts of the IIT process. The practice defines the requirements for these items and includes non-mandatory appendixes to help the user define them.  
1.5 The use of deliberate lateral displacements is not included in this practice (that is, scratch testing).  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jul-2007
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E28 - Mechanical Testing
• Drafting Committee: E28.06 - Indentation Hardness Testing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2546-07 - Standard Practice for Instrumented Indentation Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
´1
Designation: E2546 − 07
StandardPractice for
1
Instrumented Indentation Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2546; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Fig. X1.7 was editorially corrected in September 2015.
1. Scope responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This practice defines the basic steps of Instrumented
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Indentation Testing (IIT) and establishes the requirements,
accuracies, and capabilities needed by an instrument to suc-
2. Referenced Documents
cessfullyperformthetestandproducethedatathatcanbeused
for the determination of indentation hardness and other mate- 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
rial characteristics. IIT is a mechanical test that measures the
E3Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
response of a material to the imposed stress and strain of a
E74Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments
shaped indenter by forcing the indenter into a material and
for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
monitoring the force on, and displacement of, the indenter as a
E92TestMethodforVickersHardnessofMetallicMaterials
function of time during the full loading-unloading test cycle. 3
(Withdrawn 2010)
1.2 TheoperationalfeaturesofanIITinstrument,aswellas
E384Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of
requirements for Instrument Verification (Annex A1), Stan-
Materials
dardized Reference Blocks (AnnexA2) and Indenter Require-
E1875Test Method for Dynamic Young’s Modulus, Shear
ments (AnnexA3) are defined. This practice is not intended to
Modulus, and Poisson’s Ratio by Sonic Resonance
be a complete purchase specification for an IIT instrument.
E1876Test Method for Dynamic Young’s Modulus, Shear
Modulus, and Poisson’s Ratio by Impulse Excitation of
1.3 With the exception of the non-mandatory Appendix X4,
Vibration
this practice does not define the analysis necessary to deter-
mine material properties. That analysis is left for other test
2.2 American Bearings Manufacturer Association Stan-
methods. Appendix X4 includes some basic analysis tech-
dard:
4
niques to allow for the indirect performance verification of an
ABMA 10-1988Metal Balls
IIT instrument by using test blocks.
2.3 ISO Standards:
1.4 Zero point determination, instrument compliance deter-
ISO 14577-1, -2, -3, -4Metallic Materials—Instrumented
5
mination and the indirect determination of an indenter’s area
Indentation Tests for Hardness and Material Properties
function are important parts of the IIT process. The practice
ISO 376Metallic Materials—Calibration of Force-Proving
defines the requirements for these items and includes non-
Instruments for the Verification of Uniaxial Testing Ma-
mandatory appendixes to help the user define them. 5
chines
1.5 The use of deliberate lateral displacements is not in-
cluded in this practice (that is, scratch testing).
3. Terminology
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the 2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE28onMechanical www.astm.org.
4
Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on Indentation Available from American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), 2025
Hardness Testing. M Street, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036, http://www.abma-dc.org.
5
Current edition approved July 15, 2007. Published July 2007. DOI: 10.1520/ Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
E2546-07. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2546 − 07
3.1.1 contact stiffness, n—theinstantaneouselasticresponse 3.1.10 test data, n—for this practice it will consist, at the
of the material over the area of contact with the indenter. minimum, of a set of related force/displacement/time data
Contact stiffness can be dete
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
´1
Designation: E2546 − 07 E2546 − 07
Standard Practice for
1
Instrumented Indentation Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2546; 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.
1
ε NOTE—Fig. X1.7 was editorially corrected in September 2015.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice defines the basic steps of Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT) and establishes the requirements, accuracies,
and capabilities needed by an instrument to successfully perform the test and produce the data that can be used for the
determination of indentation hardness and other material characteristics. IIT is a mechanical test that measures the response of a
material to the imposed stress and strain of a shaped indenter by forcing the indenter into a material and monitoring the force on,
and displacement of, the indenter as a function of time during the full loading-unloading test cycle.
1.2 The operational features of an IIT instrument, as well as requirements for Instrument Verification (Annex A1), Standardized
Reference Blocks (Annex A2) and Indenter Requirements (Annex A3) are defined. This practice is not intended to be a complete
purchase specification for an IIT instrument.
1.3 With the exception of the non-mandatory Appendix X4, this practice does not define the analysis necessary to determine
material properties. That analysis is left for other test methods. Appendix X4 includes some basic analysis techniques to allow for
the indirect performance verification of an IIT instrument by using test blocks.
1.4 Zero point determination, instrument compliance determination and the indirect determination of an indenter’s area function
are important parts of the IIT process. The practice defines the requirements for these items and includes non-mandatory
appendixes to help the user define them.
1.5 The use of deliberate lateral displacements is not included in this practice (that is, scratch testing).
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E3 Guide for Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
3
E92 Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic Materials (Withdrawn 2010)
E384 Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of Materials
E1875 Test Method for Dynamic Young’s Modulus, Shear Modulus, and Poisson’s Ratio by Sonic Resonance
E1876 Test Method for Dynamic Young’s Modulus, Shear Modulus, and Poisson’s Ratio by Impulse Excitation of Vibration
2.2 American Bearings Manufacturer Association Standard:
4
ABMA 10-1988 Metal Balls
2.3 ISO Standards:
5
ISO 14577-1, -2, -3, -4 Metallic Materials—Instrumented Indentation Tests for Hardness and Material Properties
5
ISO 376 Metallic Materials—Calibration of Force-Proving Instruments for the Verification of Uniaxial Testing Machines
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on Indentation Hardness
Testing.
Current edition approved July 15, 2007. Published July 2007. DOI: 10.1520/E2546-07.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), 2025 M Street, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036, http://www.abma-dc.org.
5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2546 − 07
3. Terminology
...