ASTM E10-17

Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The Brinell hardness test is an indentation hardness test that can provide useful information about metallic materials. This information may correlate to tensile strength, wear resistance, ductility, or other physical characteristics of metallic materials, and may be useful in quality control and selection of materials.  
4.2 Brinell hardness tests are considered satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, and have been used extensively in industry for this purpose.  
4.3 Brinell hardness testing at a specific location on a part may not represent the physical characteristics of the whole part or end product.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Brinell hardness of metallic materials by the Brinell indentation hardness principle. This standard provides the requirements for a Brinell testing machine and the procedures for performing Brinell hardness tests.  
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in four annexes:    
Verification of Brinell Hardness Testing Machines  
Annex A1  
Brinell Hardness Standardizing Machines  
Annex A2  
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Indenters  
Annex A3  
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Test Blocks  
Annex A4  
1.3 This standard includes nonmandatory information in an appendix which relates to the Brinell hardness test:    
Table of Brinell Hardness Numbers  
Appendix X1  
Examples of Procedures for Determining
Brinell Hardness Uncertainty  
Appendix X2  
1.4 At the time the Brinell hardness test was developed, the force levels were specified in units of kilograms-force (kgf). Although this standard specifies the unit of force in the International System of Units (SI) as the Newton (N), because of the historical precedent and continued common usage of kgf units, force values in kgf units are provided for information and much of the discussion in this standard refers to forces in kgf units.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2017
• ICS: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals
• Technical Committee: E28 - Mechanical Testing
• Drafting Committee: E28.06 - Indentation Hardness Testing

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
Designation: E10 − 17 American Association State Highway
and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T70–86
Standard Test Method for
1
Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE10;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
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* mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Brinell
hardness of metallic materials by the Brinell indentation
2. Referenced Documents
hardnessprinciple.Thisstandardprovidestherequirementsfor
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a Brinell testing machine and the procedures for performing
E29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Brinell hardness tests.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in four
E74Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments
annexes:
for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
Verification of Brinell Hardness Testing Machines Annex A1
E140Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship
Brinell Hardness Standardizing Machines Annex A2
Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Indenters Annex A3
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Test Blocks Annex A4
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Sclero-
1.3 This standard includes nonmandatory information in an scope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
E384Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate-
appendix which relates to the Brinell hardness test:
rials
Table of Brinell Hardness Numbers Appendix X1
Examples of Procedures for Determining Appendix X2
2.2 American Bearings Manufacturer Association Stan-
Brinell Hardness Uncertainty
dard:
3
1.4 At the time the Brinell hardness test was developed, the
ABMA 10-1989Metal Balls
force levels were specified in units of kilograms-force (kgf).
2.3 ISO Standards:
Although this standard specifies the unit of force in the
ISO/IEC 17011Conformity Assessment—General Require-
International System of Units (SI) as the Newton (N), because
ments for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity
ofthehistoricalprecedentandcontinuedcommonusageofkgf
4
Assessment Bodies
units,forcevaluesinkgfunitsareprovidedforinformationand
ISO/IEC 17025General Requirements for the Competence
much of the discussion in this standard refers to forces in kgf
4
of Calibration and Testing
units.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology and Equations
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 calibration—determination of the values of the sig-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nificant parameters by comparison with values indicated by a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
reference instrument or by a set of reference standards.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 verification—checking or testing to assure confor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mance with the specification.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on the ASTM website.
3
Indentation Hardness Testing. Available from American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), 2025
Current edition approved April 1, 2017. Published May 2017. Originally MStreet,NW,Suite800,Washington,DC20036,http://www.americanbearings.org.
4
approved in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E10–15a. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E0010-17. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E10−17
3.1.3 standardization—to bring in conformance with a 3.2 Equations:
known standard through verification or calibration.
3.2.1 The Brinell hardness number is calculated as:
3.1.4 B
...

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.
Designation: E10 − 15a E10 − 17 American Association State Highway
and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T70–86
Standard Test Method for
1
Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E10; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Brinell hardness of metallic materials by the Brinell indentation hardness
principle. This standard provides the requirements for a Brinell testing machine and the procedures for performing Brinell hardness
tests.
1.2 This standard includes additional requirements in four annexes:
Verification of Brinell Hardness Testing Machines Annex A1
Brinell Hardness Standardizing Machines Annex A2
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Indenters Annex A3
Standardization of Brinell Hardness Test Blocks Annex A4
1.3 This standard includes nonmandatory information in an appendix which relates to the Brinell hardness test:
Table of Brinell Hardness Numbers Appendix X1
Examples of Procedures for Determining Appendix X2
Brinell Hardness Uncertainty
1.4 At the time the Brinell hardness test was developed, the force levels were specified in units of kilograms-force (kgf).
Although this standard specifies the unit of force in the International System of Units (SI) as the Newton (N), because of the
historical precedent and continued common usage of kgf units, force values in kgf units are provided for information and much
of the discussion in this standard refers to forces in kgf units.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell Hardness,
Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials
2.2 American Bearings Manufacturer Association Standard:
3
ABMA 10-1989 Metal Balls
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.06 on Indentation
Hardness Testing.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015April 1, 2017. Published January 2016May 2017. Originally approved in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as
E10 – 15.E10 – 15a. DOI: 10.1520/E0010-15A.10.1520/E0010-17.
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
Available from American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, http://www.americanbearings.org.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E10 − 17
2.3 ISO Standards:
ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment—General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment
4
Bodies
4
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing
3. Terminology and Equations
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 calibration—determination of the values of the significant parameters by comparison with values indicated by a reference
instrument or by a set of referen
...