ASTM E4-16

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 standard calibration devices, 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 The procedures of 1.1.1 – 1.1.3 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.  
1.3 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 may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3.1 Other customary force units may be used with this standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used with hardness testing machines  
1.4 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing machine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.1.1, 1.1.2, or 1.1.3, and are within the ±1 % accuracy requirement, comply with Practices E4.  
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: 14-May-2016
• 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 −16 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* retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.1.1,
1.1.2,or 1.1.3, and are within the 61% accuracy requirement,
1.1 These practices cover procedures for the force
comply with Practices E4.
verification, by means of standard calibration devices, of
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tension or compression, or both, static or quasi-static testing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
machines (which may, or may not, have force-indicating
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
systems). These practices are not intended to be complete
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
purchase specifications for testing machines. Testing machines
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
may be verified by one of the three following methods or
combination thereof:
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.1 Use of standard weights,
2
1.1.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or 2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.3 Use of elastic calibration devices.
D76/D76MSpecification for Tensile Testing Machines for
Textiles
NOTE 1—These practices do not cover the verification of all types of
E6Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
testing machines designed to measure forces, for example, the constant-
E74Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments
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
for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
Specification D76/D76M.
E467Practice for Verification of Constant Amplitude Dy-
1.2 The procedures of 1.1.1 – 1.1.3 apply to the verification
namic Forces in an Axial Fatigue Testing System
of the force-indicating systems associated with the testing
3. Terminology
machine, such as a scale, dial, marked or unmarked recorder
chart, digital display, etc. In all cases the buyer/owner/user
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
must designate the force-indicating system(s) to be verified and
Terminology E6.
included in the report.
3.2 Definitions:
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
3.2.1 elastic calibration device, n—a device for use in
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
verifying the force readings of a testing machine consisting of
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
an elastic member(s) to which forces may be applied, com-
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
binedwithamechanismordeviceforindicatingthemagnitude
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
(or a quantity proportional to the magnitude) of deformation
conformance with the standard.
under force.
1.3.1 Other customary force units may be used with this
3.2.2 portable testing machine (force-measuring type), n—a
standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used
device specifically designed to be moved from place to place
with hardness testing machines
and for applying a force (load) to a specimen.
1.4 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing ma-
3.2.3 testing machine (force-measuring type), n—a me-
chine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or
chanical device for applying a force to a specimen.
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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 May 15, 2016. Published June 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E4–15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0004-16. 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 ----------------------
E4−16
3.3.1 accuracy, n—the specified permissi
...

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 − 15 E4 − 16 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, 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 The procedures of 1.1.1 – 1.1.3 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.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values given
in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3.1 Since conversion factors are not required in this practice, either inch-pound units, SI units, or metric values can be used
as the standard.Other customary force units may be used with this standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used
with hardness testing machines
1.4 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing machine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or
retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.1.1, 1.1.2, or 1.1.3, and are within the 61 % accuracy requirement, comply
with Practices E4.
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:
D76/D76M Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
E74 Practice of Calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments for Verifying the Force Indication of Testing Machines
E467 Practice for Verification of Constant Amplitude Dynamic 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 Calibration of
Mechanical Testing Machines and Apparatus.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015May 15, 2016. Published January 2016June 2016. Originally approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 20142015 as
E4 – 14.E4 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/E0004-15.10.1520/E0004-16.
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 ----------------------
E4 − 16
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology E6.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 elastic calibration dev
...