ASTM B934-15

Standard Test Method for Effective Case Depth of Ferrous Powder Metallurgy (PM) Parts Using Microindentation Hardness Measurements

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The engineering function of many PM parts may require an exterior portion of the part to have a specified case depth and microindentation hardness. Measurement of effective case depth is used to determine the depth to which the microindentation hardness of the exterior portion of a part has been increased over that of the interior of the part.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the effective case depth of powder metallurgy (PM) parts.  
1.2 A microindentation hardness traverse procedure is described to determine effective case depth. This test method may be used to determine the effective case depth for all types of hardened cases.  
1.3 The procedure for determining the microindentation hardness of powder metallurgy materials, as described in Test Method B933, shall be followed.  
1.4 With the exception of the unit for density, for which the grams per cubic centimeter unit is the long-standing industry practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.05 - Structural Parts

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: B934 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Effective Case Depth of Ferrous Powder Metallurgy (PM)
1
Parts Using Microindentation Hardness Measurements
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B934; 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.
1. Scope* tion is available in the Related Material section of Volume
02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination
of the effective case depth of powder metallurgy (PM) parts. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 case —that portion of a part, extending inward from
1.2 A microindentation hardness traverse procedure is de-
the surface that has a microindentation hardness, after
scribedtodetermineeffectivecasedepth.Thistestmethodmay
hardening, equal to or greater than a specified hardness.
be used to determine the effective case depth for all types of
3.2.2 effective case depth—perpendicular distance from the
hardened cases.
surface of the hardened case to the furthest point where a
1.3 The procedure for determining the microindentation
microindentation hardness value equivalent to 50 HRC is
hardness of powder metallurgy materials, as described in Test
maintained, unless otherwise specified.
Method B933, shall be followed.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 With the exception of the unit for density, for which the
grams per cubic centimeter unit is the long-standing industry
4.1 The powder metallurgy part is sectioned and the surface
practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
prepared for examination. Microindentation hardness measure-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the ments are taken at various depths below the part surface. The
distance where the microindentation hardness falls below the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- equivalent of 50 HRC is defined as the effective case depth,
unless otherwise specified.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 TheengineeringfunctionofmanyPMpartsmayrequire
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: an exterior portion of the part to have a specified case depth
and microindentation hardness. Measurement of effective case
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
B933 TestMethodforMicroindentationHardnessofPowder depth is used to determine the depth to which the microinden-
tation hardness of the exterior portion of a part has been
Metallurgy (PM) Materials
E384 Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of increased over that of the interior of the part.
Materials
6. Apparatus
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
6.1 Knoop or Vickers Hardness Indenters, using 100 gf
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
(0.9807 N) loads are recommended following Test Method
3. Terminology
E384. The type of hardness indenter and load used shall be
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be agreed upon between customer and producer.
found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive informa-
6.2 Calibrated Optical Instrument, Micrometer Stage, or
other suitable means to measure the distance from the surface
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal
of the part to the center of the impression with a precision of
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
0.025 mm.
mittee B09.05 on Structural Parts.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published November 2015. Originally
7. Test Specimen
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as B934 – 10. DOI:
10.1520/B0934-15.
7.1 Cut a test specimen from the PM part, perpendicular to
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the hardened surface at a specified location, being careful to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
avoid any cutting or grinding procedure that would affect the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. original microindentation hardness.
*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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B934 − 15
7.2 Mounting of the test specimen is recommended for 8.3 Plot microindentation hardness versus distance from the
convenience in surface preparation, edge r
...

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: B934 − 10 B934 − 15
Standard Test Method for
Effective Case Depth of Ferrous Powder Metallurgy (PM)
1
Parts Using Microindentation Hardness Measurements
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B934; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determination of the effective case depth of powder metallurgy (PM) parts.
1.2 A microindentation hardness traverse procedure is described to determine effective case depth. This test method may be used
to determine the effective case depth for all types of hardened cases.
1.3 The procedure for determining the microindentation hardness of powder metallurgy materials, as described in Test Method
B933, shall be followed.
1.4 With the exception of the unit for density, for which the grams per cubic centimeter unit is the long-standing industry
practice, the values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B243 Terminology of Powder Metallurgy
B933 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Powder Metallurgy (PM) Materials
E384 Test Method for Knoop and Vickers Hardness of Materials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of powder metallurgy (PM) terms can be found in Terminology B243. Additional descriptive information is
available in the Related Material section of Volume 02.05 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 case —that portion of a part, extending inward from the surface that has a microindentation hardness, after hardening,
equal to or greater than a specified hardness.
3.2.2 effective case depth—perpendicular distance from the surface of the hardened case to the furthest point where a
microindentation hardness value equivalent to 50 HRC is maintained, unless otherwise specified.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The powder metallurgy part is sectioned and the surface prepared for examination. Microindentation hardness measure-
ments are taken at various depths below the part surface. The distance where the microindentation hardness falls below the
equivalent of 50 HRC is defined as the effective case depth, unless otherwise specified.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee B09.05
on Structural Parts.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2010Oct. 1, 2015. Published March 2011November 2015. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20092010 as
B934 – 09.B934 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/B0934-010.10.1520/B0934-15.
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.
*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 ----------------------
B934 − 15
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The engineering function of many PM parts may require an exterior portion of the part to have a specified case depth and
microindentation hardness. Measurement of effective case depth is used to determine the depth to which the microindentation
hardness of the exterior portion of a part has been increased over that of the interior of the part.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Knoop or Vickers Hardness Indenters, using 100 gf (0.9807 N) loads are recommended following Test Method E384. The
type of hardness indenter and load used shall be agreed upon between customer and producer.
6.2 Calibrated Optical Instrument, Micrometer Stage, or other suitable means to measure the distance from the surface of the
part to the center of the impression with a precision of 0.025 mm.
7. Test Specimen
7.1 Cut a test speci
...