ASTM B294-22

Standard Test Method for Hardness Testing of Cemented Carbides

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Rockwell hardness testing is one of the more important methods used to evaluate cemented carbides. For compositional groups of cemented carbides, hardness is an indication of wear resistance and toughness. Lower hardness grades usually indicate less wear resistance but greater toughness. For a specific grade of cemented carbide, hardness is an indication of the metallurgical quality of the material. In no case is Rockwell hardness testing the only test method to be considered in evaluating cemented carbides.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the hardness testing of cemented carbides by use of a Rockwell hardness tester performing tests in the Rockwell HRA scale (regular scale, diamond indenter, 10 kgf (98.07 N) preliminary test force, and 60 kgf (588.4 N) total test force) in the range of Rockwell 80 HRA and above. Also covered are the procedures for the testing and selection of diamond indenters, the management and traceability of the four levels of standardized test blocks, and the making and calibration of Primary, Secondary, and Working standardized test blocks.  
1.2 The Rockwell hardness tester is a convenient and reliable means of measuring the hardness of cemented carbides. A hardness value is obtained easily, but it is subject to considerable error unless certain precautions are observed.  
1.3 The latest version of Test Methods E18 shall be followed, except where otherwise indicated in this test method.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard except that force and length values associated with the Rockwell hardness testers will comply with E18 with force values specified as N (kgf) and indenter length values specified as mm.  
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, health, and environmental 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: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2022
• ICS: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals
• Technical Committee: B09 - Metal Powders and Metal Powder Products
• Drafting Committee: B09.06 - Cemented Carbides

Standards Content (Sample)

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: B294 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Hardness Testing of Cemented Carbides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B294; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the hardness testing of ce-
E18Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Ma-
mentedcarbidesbyuseofaRockwellhardnesstesterperform-
terials
ing tests in the Rockwell HRA scale (regular scale, diamond
E29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
indenter, 10 kgf (98.07 N) preliminary test force, and 60 kgf
Determine Conformance with Specifications
(588.4 N) total test force) in the range of Rockwell 80 HRA
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
and above.Also covered are the procedures for the testing and
ISO/IEC 17011Conformity Assessment—General Require-
selection of diamond indenters, the management and traceabil-
ments for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity
ity of the four levels of standardized test blocks, and the
Assessment Bodies
making and calibration of Primary, Secondary, and Working
ISO/IEC 17025General Requirements for the Competence
standardized test blocks.
of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
1.2 The Rockwell hardness tester is a convenient and
3. Significance and Use
reliable means of measuring the hardness of cemented car-
bides. A hardness value is obtained easily, but it is subject to
3.1 Rockwell hardness testing is one of the more important
considerable error unless certain precautions are observed. methods used to evaluate cemented carbides. For composi-
tionalgroupsofcementedcarbides,hardnessisanindicationof
1.3 The latest version of Test Methods E18 shall be
wear resistance and toughness. Lower hardness grades usually
followed,exceptwhereotherwiseindicatedinthistestmethod.
indicate less wear resistance but greater toughness. For a
specificgradeofcementedcarbide,hardnessisanindicationof
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
themetallurgicalqualityofthematerial.InnocaseisRockwell
as standard except that force and length values associated with
hardness testing the only test method to be considered in
theRockwellhardnesstesterswillcomplywithE18withforce
evaluating cemented carbides.
valuesspecifiedasN(kgf)andindenterlengthvaluesspecified
as mm.
4. Principles of Test Apparatus
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Tester—All hardness tests shall be performed using a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Rockwell hardness tester that meets the requirements defined
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in the latest version of Test Method E18, except where
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
otherwise indicated in this test method. Testers shall comply
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
with the requirements of Annex A3 of this test method.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 Scale—All tests shall be performed using the carbide
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Rockwell HRA scale (a carbide diamond indenter, 10 kgf
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(98.07 N) preliminary force, and 60 kgf (588.4 N) total test
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
force).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.3 Effect of Vibration—The Rockwell hardness tester
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
should be located in a vibration-free area in order to avoid
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee B09 on Metal For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Powders and Metal Powder Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mittee B09.06 on Cemented Carbides. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as B294–17. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/B0294-22. 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 Conshoh
...

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: B294 − 17 B294 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Hardness Testing of Cemented Carbides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B294; 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 the hardness testing of cemented carbides by use of a Rockwell hardness tester performing tests in
the Rockwell HRA scale (regular scale, diamond indenter, 10 kgf (98.07 N) preliminary test force, and 60 kgf (588.4 N) total test
forceforce) in the range of Rockwell 80 HRA and above. Also covered are the procedures for the testing and selection of diamond
indenters, the management and traceability of the four levels of standardized test blocks, and the making and calibration of Primary,
Secondary, and Working standardized test blocks.
1.2 The Rockwell hardness tester is a convenient and reliable means of measuring the hardness of cemented carbides. A hardness
value is obtained easily, but it is subject to considerable error unless certain precautions are observed.
1.3 The latest version of Test Methods E18 shall be followed, except where otherwise indicated in this test method.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard except that force and length values associated with the
Rockwell hardness testers will comply with E18 with force values specified as N (kgf) and indenter length values specified as mm.
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, health, and environmental 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:
E18 Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment—General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment
Bodies
ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
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 B09.06
on Cemented Carbides.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017March 1, 2022. Published February 2018March 2022. Originally approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 20102017
as B294 – 10.B294 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/B0294-17.10.1520/B0294-22.
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 National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 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

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B294 − 22
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Rockwell hardness testing is one of the more important methods used to evaluate cemented carbides. For compositional groups
of cemented carbides, hardness is an indication of wear resistance and toughness. Lower hardness grades usually indicate less wear
resistance but greater toughness. For a specific grade of cemented carbide, hardness is an indication of the metallurgical quality
of the material. In no case is Rockwell hardness testing the only test method to be considered in evaluating cemented carbides.
4. Principles of Test Apparatus
4.1 Tester—All hardness tests shall be performed using a Rockwell hardness tester that meets the requirements defined in the latest
version of Test Method E18, except where otherwise indicated in this test method. Testers shall comply wit
...