ASTM C1326-13(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of Advanced Ceramics
Standard Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of Advanced Ceramics
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 For advanced ceramics, Knoop indenters are used to create indentations. The surface projection of the long diagonal is measured with optical microscopes.
5.2 The Knoop indentation hardness is one of many properties that is used to characterize advanced ceramics. Attempts have been made to relate Knoop indentation hardness to other hardness scales, but no generally accepted methods are available. Such conversions are limited in scope and should be used with caution, except for special cases where a reliable basis for the conversion has been obtained by comparison tests.
5.3 For advanced ceramics, the Knoop indentation is often preferred to the Vickers indentation since the Knoop long diagonal length is 2.8 times longer than the Vickers diagonal for the same force, and cracking is much less of a problem (1).5 On the other hand, the long slender tip of the Knoop indentation is more difficult to precisely discern, especially in materials with low contrast. The indentation forces chosen in this test method are designed to produce indentations as large as may be possible with conventional microhardness equipment, yet not so large as to cause cracking.
5.4 The Knoop indentation is shallower than Vickers indentations made at the same force. Knoop indents may be useful in evaluating coating hardnesses.
5.5 Knoop hardness is calculated from the ratio of the applied force divided by the projected indentation area on the specimen surface. It is assumed that the elastic springback of the narrow diagonal is negligible. (Vickers indenters are also used to measure hardness, but Vickers hardness is calculated from the ratio of applied force to the area of contact of the four faces of the undeformed indenter.)
5.6 A full hardness characterization includes measurements over a broad range of indentation forces. Knoop hardness of ceramics usually decreases with increasing indentation size or indentation force such as that shown in Fig. 1.6 The trend is known as the in...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Knoop indentation hardness of advanced ceramics. In this test, a pointed, rhombic-based, pyramidal diamond indenter of prescribed shape is pressed into the surface of a ceramic with a predetermined force to produce a relatively small, permanent indentation. The surface projection of the long diagonal of the permanent indentation is measured using a light microscope. The length of the long diagonal and the applied force are used to calculate the Knoop hardness which represents the material’s resistance to penetration by the Knoop indenter.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 Units—When Knoop and Vickers hardness tests were developed, the force levels were specified in units of grams-force (gf) and kilograms-force (kgf). This standard specifies the units of force and length in the International System of Units (SI); that is, force in newtons (N) and length in mm or μm. However, because of the historical precedent and continued common usage, force values in gf and kgf units are occasionally provided for information. This test method specifies that Knoop hardness be reported either in units of GPa or as a dimensionless Knoop hardness number.
1.4 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.
1.5 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
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: C1326 − 13 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
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Knoop Indentation Hardness of Advanced Ceramics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1326; 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 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Knoop
2.1 ASTM Standards:
indentation hardness of advanced ceramics. In this test, a C730 Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of Glass
pointed, rhombic-based, pyramidal diamond indenter of pre-
C849 Test Method for Knoop Indentation Hardness of Ce-
scribed shape is pressed into the surface of a ceramic with a
ramic Whitewares
predetermined force to produce a relatively small, permanent
E4 Practices for Force Calibration and Verification of Test-
indentation. The surface projection of the long diagonal of the
ing Machines
permanent indentation is measured using a light microscope.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
The length of the long diagonal and the applied force are used
ASTM Test Methods
to calculate the Knoop hardness which represents the material’s
E384 Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Mate-
resistance to penetration by the Knoop indenter.
rials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 Standard for Use of the International
standard.
System of Units (SI) (The Modern Metric System)
1.3 Units—When Knoop and Vickers hardness tests were
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2.2 European Standard:
developed, the force levels were specified in units of grams-
CEN ENV 843-4 Advanced Technical Ceramics, Monolithic
force (gf) and kilograms-force (kgf). This standard specifies
Ceramics, Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature,
the units of force and length in the International System of
Part 4: Vickers, Knoop, and Rockwell Superficial Hard-
Units (SI); that is, force in newtons (N) and length in mm or
ness Tests
μm. However, because of the historical precedent and contin-
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ued common usage, force values in gf and kgf units are
2.3 ISO Standard:
occasionally provided for information. This test method speci-
ISO 9385 Glass and Glass Ceramics—Knoop Hardness Test
fies that Knoop hardness be reported either in units of GPa or
as a dimensionless Knoop hardness number.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 Knoop hardness number (HK), n—an expression of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
hardness obtained by dividing the force applied to the Knoop
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
indenter by the projected area of the permanent impression
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
made by the indenter.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 Knoop indenter, n—a rhombic-based pyramidal-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
shaped diamond indenter with edge angles of 172° 30' and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
130° 00'.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C28 on the ASTM website.
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Advanced Ceramics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C28.01 on Available from European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 36 rue de
Mechanical Properties and Performance. Stassart, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium, http://www.cenorm.be.
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Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as C1326 – 13 (2018). la Voie-Creuse, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://
DOI: 10.1520/C1326-13R23. www.iso.ch.
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