ASTM E3246-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Differential Indentation Depth Hardness of Metallic Materials
Standard Test Methods for Differential Indentation Depth Hardness of Metallic Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The Differential Indentation Depth hardness test is an empirical indentation hardness test that can provide useful information about metallic materials. This information can correlate to tensile strength, wear resistance, ductility, and other physical characteristics of metallic materials, and can be useful in quality control and selection of materials.
4.2 Differential Indentation Depth hardness tests are considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, and have been used in industry for this purpose.
4.3 Differential Indentation Depth hardness testing at a specific location on a part might not represent the physical characteristics of the whole part or end product. Machines that comply with this Standard are used when machines that comply with the regular hardness standards such as Test Methods E10, E18, E92, and E384 cannot be used. Test results obtained with these machines are comparable BUT NOT EQUIVALENT to those obtained with machines that comply with the above mentioned standards.
4.4 Differential Indentation Depth hardness testing machines covered by this standard do not comply with Test Methods E10, E18, E92, or E110.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Differential Indentation Depth hardness of metallic materials by the Differential Indentation Depth hardness principle. This standard provides the requirements for Differential Indentation Depth hardness testing machines and the procedures for performing Differential Indentation Depth hardness tests.
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in annexes:
Verification of Differential Indentation Depth Hardness Testing Machines
Annex A1
Guidelines for Determining the Minimum Thickness of a Test Piece
Annex A2
1.3 This standard includes non-mandatory information in appendixes which relates to the Differential Indentation Depth hardness test.
List of ASTM Standards Giving Hardness Numbers Corresponding to Tensile Strength
Appendix X1
Examples of Procedures for Determining Differential Indentation Depth Hardness Uncertainty
Appendix X2
Examples of Indenters Used in Differential Indentation Depth Machines
Appendix X3
1.4 Units—This standard specifies the units of force and length in the International System of Units (SI); that is, force in Newtons (N) and length in micrometers (µm). However, because of continued common usage, values are provided in other units of measure for information.
1.5 The test principles, testing procedures, and verification procedures are essentially identical for all the Differential Indentation Depth hardness testing instruments. The testing instruments may use different test forces and indenter shapes. The type and size of the indenters are matched to the design of the instrument by the manufacturer. Accordingly, the indenters, probes and other instrument components are generally not interchangeable among manufacturers.
1.6 The hardness number reported by these instruments are based on direct correlations to existing hardness scales as determined by each manufacturer for each instrument and hardness scale. Unless otherwise noted on the instrument or in the operating manual for the instrument, the hardness numbers reported by the instrument are only applicable to non-austenitic steels. See 5.6.1 for additional information.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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 Organizati...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: E3246 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
Differential Indentation Depth Hardness of Metallic
1
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3246; 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. Scope determined by each manufacturer for each instrument and
hardness scale. Unless otherwise noted on the instrument or in
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Differ-
the operating manual for the instrument, the hardness numbers
ential Indentation Depth hardness of metallic materials by the
reportedbytheinstrumentareonlyapplicabletonon-austenitic
Differential Indentation Depth hardness principle. This stan-
steels. See 5.6.1 for additional information.
dard provides the requirements for Differential Indentation
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Depth hardness testing machines and the procedures for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
performing Differential Indentation Depth hardness tests.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in an-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
nexes:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Verification of Differential Indentation Depth Annex A1
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
Hardness Testing Machines
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Guidelines for Determining the Minimum Thickness Annex A2
of a Test Piece
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 This standard includes non-mandatory information in
appendixes which relates to the Differential Indentation Depth mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
hardness test. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
List of ASTM Standards Giving Hardness Numbers Appendix X1
Corresponding to Tensile Strength 2. Referenced Documents
Examples of Procedures for Determining Appendix X2
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Differential Indentation Depth Hardness
Uncertainty
A370Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing
Examples of Indenters Used in Differential Appendix X3
of Steel Products
Indentation Depth Machines
B19Specification for Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate,
1.4 Units—This standard specifies the units of force and
Bar, and Disks
lengthintheInternationalSystemofUnits(SI);thatis,forcein
B36/B36MSpecification for Brass Plate, Sheet, Strip, And
Newtons (N) and length in micrometers (µm). However,
Rolled Bar
because of continued common usage, values are provided in
B96/B96MSpecification for Copper-Silicon Alloy Plate,
other units of measure for information.
Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar for General Purposes and
1.5 The test principles, testing procedures, and verification
Pressure Vessels
procedures are essentially identical for all the Differential B103/B103M Specification for Phosphor Bronze Plate,
Indentation Depth hardness testing instruments. The testing
Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
instruments may use different test forces and indenter shapes.
B121/B121MSpecification for Leaded Brass Plate, Sheet,
The type and size of the indenters are matched to the design of
Strip, and Rolled Bar
theinstrumentbythemanufacturer.Accordingly,theindenters,
B122/B122MSpecification for Copper-Nickel-Tin Alloy,
probes and other instrument components are generally not
Copper-Nickel-Zinc Alloy (Nickel Silver), and Copper-
interchangeable among manufacturers.
Nickel Alloy Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Rolled Bar
B130Specification for Commercial Bronze Strip for Bullet
1.6 The hardness number reported by these instruments are
Jackets
based on direct correlations to existing hardness scales as
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on
2
Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Indentation Hardness Testing. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published March 2021. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E3246–21 the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E3246 − 21
B134/B134MSpecification for Brass Wire 3.1.2 differential indentation depth hardness number, n—a
B152/B152MSpecification for Copper Sheet, Strip, Plat
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