ASTM E384-05a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials
Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the microindentation hardness of materials, the verification of microindentation hardness testing machines, and the calibration of standardized test blocks.
1.2 This test method covers microindentation tests made with Knoop and Vickers indenters under test forces in the range from 9.8 10-3 to 9.8 N ( 1 to 1000 gf ).
1.3 This test method includes an analysis of the possible sources of errors that can occur during microindentation testing and how these factors affect the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of test results.Note 1
While Committee E04 is primarily concerned with metals, the test procedures described are applicable to other materials.
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.
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Designation: E 384 – 05a
Standard Test Method for
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Microindentation Hardness of Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 384; 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 (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. Scope E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method covers determination of the microin-
E 766 Practice for Calibrating the Magnification of a Scan-
dentation hardness of materials, the verification of microinden-
ning Electron Microscope
tation hardness testing machines, and the calibration of stan-
dardized test blocks.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method covers microindentation tests made
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
withKnoopandVickersindentersundertestforcesintherange
-3
method, see TerminologyE7.
from 9.8 3 10 to9.8N(1to 1000 gf ).
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This test method includes an analysis of the possible
3.2.1 calibrating, v—determining the values of the signifi-
sourcesoferrorsthatcanoccurduringmicroindentationtesting
cant parameters by comparison with values indicated by a
and how these factors affect the accuracy, repeatability, and
reference instrument or by a set of reference standards.
reproducibility of test results.
3.2.2 Knoop hardness number, HK, n—an expression of
NOTE 1—WhileCommitteeE04isprimarilyconcernedwithmetals,the
hardness obtained by dividing the force applied to the Knoop
test procedures described are applicable to other materials.
indenter by the projected area of the permanent impression
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
made by the indenter.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 Knoop indenter, n—a rhombic-based pyramidal-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
shaped diamond indenter with edge angles of/ A = 172° 308
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and/ B = 130° 08 (see Fig. 1).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.4 microindentation hardness test, n—a hardness test
using a calibrated machine to force a diamond indenter of
2. Referenced Documents
specific geometry into the surface of the material being
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
evaluated, in which the test forces range from 1 to 1000 gf (9.8
–3
C 1326 Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of
310 to9.8N),andtheindentationdiagonal,ordiagonalsare
Advanced Ceramics
measured with a light microscope after load removal; for any
C 1327 Test Method for Vickers Indentation Hardness of
microindentation hardness test, it is assumed that the indenta-
Advanced Ceramics
tion does not undergo elastic recovery after force removal.
E3 Methods of Preparation of Metallographic Specimens
NOTE 2—Use of the term microhardness should be avoided because it
E7 Terminology Relating to Metallography
implies that the hardness, rather than the force or the indentation size, is
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate the
very low.
Average Quality for a Lot or Process
3.2.5 verifying, v—checking or testing the instrument to
E 140 Test Method for Hardness Conversion Tables for
assure conformance with the specification.
Metals
3.2.6 Vickers hardness number, HV, n—an expression of
E 175 Terminology of Microscopy
hardness obtained by dividing the force applied to a Vickers
indenter by the surface area of the permanent impression made
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by the indenter.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E04 on
Metallography and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E04.05 on Micro-
3.2.7 Vickersindenter,n—asquare-basedpyramidal-shaped
hardness.
diamond indenter with face angles of 136° (see Fig. 2).
Current edition approved August 15, 2005. Published September 2005. Origi-
3.3 Formulae—The formulae presented in 3.3.1-3.3.4 ffor
nally approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E 384 – 05.
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calculating microindentation hardness are based upon an ideal
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
tester. The measured value of the microindentation hardness of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
amaterialissubjectedtoseveralsourcesoferrors.BasedonEq
the ASTM website.
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