ASTM E4-20

Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Testing machines that apply and indicate force are used in many industries, in many ways. They may be used in a research laboratory to measure material properties, and in a production line to qualify a product for shipment. No matter what the end use of the machine may be, it is necessary for users to know that the amount of force applied and indicated is traceable to the International System of Units (SI) through a National Metrology Institute (NMI). The procedures in Practices E4 may be used to verify these machines so that the indicated forces are traceable to the SI. A key element of traceability to the SI is that the devices used in the verification have known force characteristics, and have been calibrated in accordance with Practice E74.  
4.2 The procedures in Practices E4 may be used by those using, manufacturing, and providing calibration service for testing machines and related instrumentation.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover procedures for the force verification, by means of force measurement standards, of tension or compression, or both, static or quasi-static testing machines (which may, or may not, have force-indicating systems). These practices are not intended to be complete purchase specifications for testing machines.  
1.2 Testing machines may be verified by one of the three following methods or combination thereof. Each of the methods require a specific uncertainty of measurement, displaying metrological traceability to The International System of Units (SI).  
1.2.1 Use of standard weights,  
1.2.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or  
1.2.3 Use of force-measuring instruments.  
1.3 The term ’metrological traceability’ is used as defined in the JCGM 200: International vocabulary of metrology-Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM).  
1.4 The procedures of 1.2.1–1.2.3 apply to the verification of the force-indicating systems associated with the testing machine, such as a scale, dial, marked or unmarked recorder chart, digital display, etc. In all cases the buyer/owner/user must designate the force-indicating system(s) to be verified and included in the report.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.5.1 Other customary force units may be used with this standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used with hardness testing machines  
1.6 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing machine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.2.1, 1.2.2, or 1.2.3, and are within the ±1 % measurement accuracy requirement, comply with Practices E4.  
1.7 The requirements of these practices limit the major components of measurement uncertainty when verifying testing machines. These Standard Practices do not require the allowable error to be reduced by the amount of the measurement uncertainty encountered during a verification. As a result, a testing machine verified using these practices may produce a deviation from the true force greater than ±1.0 % when the error is combined with the measurement uncertainty  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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 ...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2019
• ICS: 19.060 - Mechanical testing
• Technical Committee: E28 - Mechanical Testing
• Drafting Committee: E28.01 - Calibration of Mechanical Testing Machines and Apparatus

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:E4 −20 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standards
AASHTO No: T67
Standard Practices for
1
Force Verification of Testing Machines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E4; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
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* 1.6 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing ma-
chine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or
1.1 These practices cover procedures for the force
retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.2.1,
verification, by means of force measurement standards, of
1.2.2,or1.2.3,andarewithinthe 61%measurementaccuracy
tension or compression, or both, static or quasi-static testing
requirement, comply with Practices E4.
machines (which may, or may not, have force-indicating
systems). These practices are not intended to be complete
1.7 The requirements of these practices limit the major
purchase specifications for testing machines.
components of measurement uncertainty when verifying test-
ing machines. These Standard Practices do not require the
1.2 Testing machines may be verified by one of the three
allowable error to be reduced by the amount of the measure-
following methods or combination thereof. Each of the meth-
mentuncertaintyencounteredduringaverification.Asaresult,
ods require a specific uncertainty of measurement, displaying
a testing machine verified using these practices may produce a
metrological traceability to The International System of Units
deviation from the true force greater than 61.0 % when the
(SI).
error is combined with the measurement uncertainty
1.2.1 Use of standard weights,
1.2.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2.3 Use of force-measuring instruments.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 Theterm’metrologicaltraceability’isusedasdefinedin
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the JCGM 200: International vocabulary of metrology-Basic priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and general concepts and associated terms (VIM).
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.4 The procedures of 1.2.1–1.2.3 apply to the verification
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of the force-indicating systems associated with the testing
machine, such as a scale, dial, marked or unmarked recorder ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
chart, digital display, etc. In all cases the buyer/owner/user
must designate the force-indicating system(s) to be verified and mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
included in the report.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
2. Referenced Documents
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
2
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
lents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
D76/D76MSpecification for Tensile Testing Machines for
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
Textiles
from the two systems shall not be combined.
E6Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
1.5.1 Other customary force units may be used with this
E74Practices for Calibration and Verification for Force-
standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used
Measuring Instruments
with hardness testing machines
E467Practice for Verification of Constant Amplitude Dy-
namic Forces in an Axial Fatigue Testing System
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on
Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.01 on
2
Calibration of Mechanical Testing Machines and Apparatus. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E4–16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0004-20. the ASTM website.
*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

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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: E4 − 16 E4 − 20 American Association State
Highway and Transportation Officials Standards
AASHTO No: T67
Standard Practices for
1
Force Verification of Testing Machines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E4; 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 These practices cover procedures for the force verification, by means of standard calibration devices,force measurement
standards, of tension or compression, or both, static or quasi-static testing machines (which may, or may not, have force-indicating
systems). These practices are not intended to be complete purchase specifications for testing machines. Testing machines may be
verified by one of the three following methods or combination thereof:
1.1.1 Use of standard weights,
1.1.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or
1.1.3 Use of elastic calibration devices.
NOTE 1—These practices do not cover the verification of all types of testing machines designed to measure forces, for example, the
constant-rate-of-loading type which operates on the inclined-plane principle. This type of machine may be verified as directed in the applicable appendix
of Specification D76/D76M.
1.2 Testing machines may be verified by one of the three following methods or combination thereof. Each of the methods
require a specific uncertainty of measurement, displaying metrological traceability to The International System of Units (SI).
1.2.1 Use of standard weights,
1.2.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or
1.2.3 Use of force-measuring instruments.
1.3 The term ’metrological traceability’ is used as defined in the JCGM 200: International vocabulary of metrology-Basic and
general concepts and associated terms (VIM).
1.4 The procedures of 1.1.1 – 1.1.31.2.1–1.2.3 apply to the verification of the force-indicating systems associated with the
testing machine, such as a scale, dial, marked or unmarked recorder chart, digital display, etc. In all cases the buyer/owner/user
must designate the force-indicating system(s) to be verified and included in the report.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated
in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.5.1 Other customary force units may be used with this standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used with
hardness testing machines
1.6 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing machine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or
retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.1.11.2.1, 1.1.21.2.2, or 1.1.31.2.3, and are within the 61 % measurement
accuracy requirement, comply with Practices E4.
1.7 The requirements of these practices limit the major components of measurement uncertainty when verifying testing
machines. These Standard Practices do not require the allowable error to be reduced by the amount of the measurement uncertainty
encountered during a verification. As a result, a testing machine verified using these practices may produce a deviation from the
true force greater than 61.0 % when the error is combined with the measurement uncertainty
1.8 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E28.01 on Calibration of
Mechanical Testing Machines and Apparatus.
Current edition approved May 15, 2016Jan. 1, 2020. Published June 2016March 2020. Originally approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 20152016 as
E4 – 15.E4 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/E0004-16.10.1520/E0004-20.
*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 1942
...