ASTM E140-02e1

Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, and Scleroscope Hardness

SCOPE
1.1 Conversion presents data in the Rockwell C hardness range on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial hardness, Knoop hardness, and Scleroscope hardness of non-austenitic steels including carbon, alloy, and tool steels in the as-forged, annealed, normalized, and quenched and tempered conditions provided that they are homogeneous.
1.2 Conversion Table 2 presents data in the Rockwell B hardness range on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial hardness, Knoop hardness, and Scleroscope hardness of non-austenitic steels including carbon, alloy, and tool steels in the as-forged, annealed, normalized, and quenched and tempered conditions provided that they are homogeneous.
1.3 Conversion Table 3 presents data on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial hardness, and Knoop hardness of nickel and high-nickel alloys (nickel content over 50 %). These hardness conversion relationships are intended to apply particularly to the following: nickel-aluminum-silicon specimens finished to commercial mill standards for hardness testing, covering the entire range of these alloys from their annealed to their heavily cold-worked or age-hardened conditions, including their intermediate conditions.
1.4 Conversion Table 4 presents data on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, and Rockwell superficial hardness of cartridge brass.
1.5 Conversion Table 5 presents data on the relationship between Brinell hardness and Rockwell B hardness of austenitic stainless steel plate in the annealed condition.
1.6 Conversion Table 6 presents data on the relationship between Rockwell hardness and Rockwell superficial hardness of austenitic stainless steel sheet.
1.7 Conversion Table 7 presents data on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial hardness, and Knoop hardness of copper.
1.8 Conversion Table 8 presents data on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Rockwell hardness, and Vickers hardness of alloyed white iron.
1.9 Conversion Table 9 presents data on the relationship among Brinell hardness, Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, and Rockwell superficial hardness of wrought aluminum products.
1.10 Many of the conversion values presented herein were obtained from computer-generated curves of actual test data. Most Rockwell hardness numbers are presented to the nearest 0.1 or 0.5 hardness number to permit accurate reproduction of these curves. Since all converted hardness values must be considered approximate, however, all converted Rockwell hardness numbers shall be rounded to the nearest whole number in accordance with Practice E 29.
1.11 Appendix X1-Appendix X9 contain equations developed from the data in Tables 1-9, respectively, to convert from one hardness scale to another. Since all converted hardness values must be considered approximate, however, all converted hardness numbers shall be rounded in accordance with Practice E 29.
1.12 Conversion of hardness values should be used only when it is impossible to test the material under the conditions specified, and when conversion is made it should be done with discretion and under controlled conditions. Each type of hardness test is subject to certain errors, but if precautions are carefully observed, the reliability of hardness readings made on instruments of the indentation type will be found comparable. Differences in sensitivity within the range of a given hardness scale (for example, Rockwell B) may be greater than between two different scales or types of instruments. The conversion values, whether from the tables or calculated from the equations, are only approximate and may be inaccurate for specific application.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2002
• ICS: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E28 - Mechanical Testing
• Drafting Committee: E28.06 - Indentation Hardness Testing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E140-02 - Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, and Scleroscope Hardness
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM E140-05 - Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, and Scleroscope Hardness
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F3607-22 - Standard Specification for Additive Manufacturing – Finished Part Properties – Maraging Steel via Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM B637-18 - Standard Specification for Precipitation-Hardening and Cold Worked Nickel Alloy Bars, Forgings, and Forging Stock for Moderate or High Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM A1038-19 - Standard Test Method for Portable Hardness Testing by the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM A1120/A1120M-21 - Standard Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon Steel Boiler, Superheater, Heat-Exchanger, and Condenser Tubes with Textured Surface
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM A726-18 - Standard Specification for Cold-Rolled Magnetic Lamination Quality Steel, Semiprocessed Types
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F1026-86(2022) - Standard Specification for General Workmanship and Performance Measurements of Hemostatic Forceps
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E3246-22 - Standard Test Methods for Differential Indentation Depth Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM B688-22 - Standard Specification for Chromium-Nickel-Molybdenum-Iron Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E92-23 - Standard Test Methods for Vickers Hardness and Knoop Hardness of Metallic Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM B164-03(2019) - Standard Specification for Nickel-Copper Alloy Rod, Bar, and Wire
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM G73-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Liquid Impingement Erosion Using Rotating Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F1613-95(2023) - Standard Specification for Surgical Tissue/Dressing/Pick-Up Forceps (Thumb Type)
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F2332-06(2022) - Standard Specification for Annular Ball Bearings for Instruments and Precision Rotating Components
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

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
e1
Designation: E 140 – 02
Standard Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals
Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness,
Rockwell Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness,
1
and Scleroscope Hardness
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E140; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1
e NOTE—Equation X9.3 was editorially corrected in January 2005.
1. Scope 1.6 Conversion Table 6 presents data on the relationship
between Rockwell hardness and Rockwell superficial hardness
1.1 Conversion Table 1 presents data in the Rockwell C
of austenitic stainless steel sheet.
hardness range on the relationship among Brinell hardness,
1.7 Conversion Table 7 presents data on the relationship
Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial
among Brinell hardness,Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness,
hardness, Knoop hardness, and Scleroscope hardness of non-
Rockwell superficial hardness, and Knoop hardness of copper.
austenitic steels including carbon, alloy, and tool steels in the
1.8 Conversion Table 8 presents data on the relationship
as-forged, annealed, normalized, and quenched and tempered
among Brinell hardness, Rockwell hardness, and Vickers
conditions provided that they are homogeneous.
hardness of alloyed white iron.
1.2 Conversion Table 2 presents data in the Rockwell B
1.9 Conversion Table 9 presents data on the relationship
hardness range on the relationship among Brinell hardness,
among Brinell hardness,Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness,
Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness, Rockwell superficial
and Rockwell superficial hardness of wrought aluminum prod-
hardness, Knoop hardness, and Scleroscope hardness of non-
ucts.
austenitic steels including carbon, alloy, and tool steels in the
1.10 Many of the conversion values presented herein were
as-forged, annealed, normalized, and quenched and tempered
obtained from computer-generated curves of actual test data.
conditions provided that they are homogeneous.
Most Rockwell hardness numbers are presented to the nearest
1.3 Conversion Table 3 presents data on the relationship
0.1 or 0.5 hardness number to permit accurate reproduction of
among Brinell hardness,Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness,
these curves. Since all converted hardness values must be
Rockwell superficial hardness, and Knoop hardness of nickel
considered approximate, however, all converted Rockwell
and high-nickel alloys (nickel content over 50%). These
hardness numbers shall be rounded to the nearest whole
hardness conversion relationships are intended to apply par-
number in accordance with PracticeE29.
ticularly to the following: nickel-aluminum-silicon specimens
1.11 Appendix X1-Appendix X9 contain equations devel-
finished to commercial mill standards for hardness testing,
oped from the data inTables 1-9, respectively, to convert from
coveringtheentirerangeofthesealloysfromtheirannealedto
one hardness scale to another. Since all converted hardness
their heavily cold-worked or age-hardened conditions, includ-
valuesmustbeconsideredapproximate,however,allconverted
ing their intermediate conditions.
hardnessnumbersshallberoundedinaccordancewithPractice
1.4 Conversion Table 4 presents data on the relationship
E29.
among Brinell hardness,Vickers hardness, Rockwell hardness,
1.12 Conversion of hardness values should be used only
and Rockwell superficial hardness of cartridge brass.
when it is impossible to test the material under the conditions
1.5 Conversion Table 5 presents data on the relationship
specified, and when conversion is made it should be done with
between Brinell hardness and Rockwell B hardness of austen-
discretion and under controlled conditions. Each type of
itic stainless steel plate in the annealed condition.
hardness test is subject to certain errors, but if precautions are
carefullyobserved,thereliabilityofhardnessreadingsmadeon
1
TheseconversiontablesareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE28on
instruments of the indentation type will be found comparable.
Mechanical Testing and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on
Differences in sensitivity within the range of a given hardness
Indentation Hardness Testing.
scale (for example, Rockwell B) may be greater than between
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published February 2002. Originally
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published as E140–58. Last previous edition E140–97 . two different scales or types of instruments. The conversion
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