Standard Test Method for Scratch Hardness of Materials Using a Diamond Stylus

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended to measure the resistance of solid surfaces to permanent deformation under the action of a single point (stylus tip). It is a companion method to quasi-static hardness tests in which a stylus is pressed into a surface under a certain normal load and the resultant depth or impression size is used to compute a hardness number. Scratch hardness numbers, unlike quasi-static hardness numbers, involve a different combination of properties of the surface because the indenter, in this case a diamond stylus, moves tangentially along the surface. Therefore, the stress state under the scratching stylus differs from that produced under a quasi-static indenter. Scratch hardness numbers are in principle a more appropriate measure of the damage resistance of a material to surface damage processes like two-body abrasion than are quasi-static hardness numbers.  
5.2 This test method is applicable to a wide range of materials. These include metals, alloys, and some polymers. The main criteria are that the scratching process produces a measurable scratch in the surface being tested without causing catastrophic fracture, spallation, or extensive delamination of surface material. Severe damage to the test surface, such that the scratch width is not clearly identifiable or that the edges of the scratch are chipped or distorted, invalidates the use of this test method to determine a scratch hardness number. Since the degree and type of surface damage in a material may vary with applied load, the applicability of this test to certain classes of materials may be limited by the maximum load at which valid scratch width measurements can be made.  
5.3 The resistance of a material to abrasion by a single point may be affected by its sensitivity to the strain rate of the deformation process. Therefore, this test is conducted under low stylus traversing speeds. Use of a slow scratching speed also minimizes the possible effects of frictional heating.  
5.4 This...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers laboratory procedures for determining the scratch hardness of the surfaces of solid materials. Within certain limitations, as described in this guide, this test method is applicable to metals, ceramics, polymers, and coated surfaces. The scratch hardness test, as described herein, is not intended to be used as a means to determine coating adhesion, nor is it intended for use with other than specific hemispherically-tipped, conical styli.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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.  
1.4 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
Published
Publication Date
31-Oct-2017
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
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ASTM G171-03(2017) - Standard Test Method for Scratch Hardness of Materials Using a Diamond Stylus
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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: G171 − 03 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
1
Scratch Hardness of Materials Using a Diamond Stylus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G171; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers laboratory procedures for de- 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms applicable to this
termining the scratch hardness of the surfaces of solid materi- standard see Terminology G40.
als. Within certain limitations, as described in this guide, this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
test method is applicable to metals, ceramics, polymers, and
3.2.1 scratch hardness number, n—a quantity, expressed in
coated surfaces.The scratch hardness test, as described herein,
units of force per unit area, that characterizes the resistance of
is not intended to be used as a means to determine coating
a solid surface to penetration by a moving stylus of given tip
adhesion, nor is it intended for use with other than specific
radius under a constant normal force and speed; namely,
hemispherically-tipped, conical styli.
kP
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as HS 5
P 2
w
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
where:
standard.
HS = scratch hardness number,
P
1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
k = a geometrical constant,
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
P = applied normal force, and
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
w = scratch width.
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
NOTE 1—The constant k may be chosen to include conversion factors
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac-
forexpressing HS inunitsofGPa.For HS inGPa, Pingrams-force,and
P P
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
w in µm, k = 24.98.
prior to use.
3.2.2 scratching force, n—the force that opposes relative
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
motion between a moving stylus and the surface that is being
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
scratched by that stylus, and which is perpendicular to the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
normal force exerted by the stylus.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.3 stylus drag coeffıcient, n—in scratch testing, the di-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
mensionless ratio of the scratching force to the normal force
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
applied to the stylus; namely,
2. Referenced Documents
F
scr
D 5
2 sc
P
2.1 ASTM Standards:
G40Terminology Relating to Wear and Erosion
where:
G117Guide for Calculating and Reporting Measures of
D = stylus drag coefficient,
sc
Precision Using Data from Interlaboratory Wear or Ero-
F = scratching force, and
3
scr
sion Tests (Withdrawn 2016)
P = normal force.
1
4. Summary of Test Method
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G02 on Wear
and Erosion and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee G02.30 on Abrasive
4.1 This test involves producing a scratch in a solid surface
Wear.
by moving a diamond stylus of specified geometry along a
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally
ε2
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as G171–03 (2009) .
specified path under a constant normal force and with a
DOI: 10.1520/G0171-03R17.
constant speed. The average width of the scratch is measured,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and that value is used to compute the scratch hardness number
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on in units of pressure.
the ASTM website.
3
4.2 As an option, the scratching force may be measured
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. during this test and used to compute a stylus drag coefficient,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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G171 − 03 (2017)
which is a dimensionless measure of the resistance of the test 6. Apparatus
surface to deformation by a tangentially-moving stylus.
6.1 General Description—The apparatus consist
...

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