EN ISO 3738-1:2010

Hardmetals - Rockwell hardness test (scale A) - Part 1: Test method (ISO 3738-1:1982)

Cancels and replaces ISO 3738:1976. Gives principle,symbols, designations and values of parameters, apparatus, test pieces, procedure, expression of results and test report.

Hartmetalle - Rockwell-Härteprüfung (Skala A) - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren (ISO 3738-1:1982)

Dieser Teil von ISO 3738 legt die Rockwell-Härteprüfung (Skala A) für Hartmetalle fest.

Métaux-durs - Essai de dureté Rockwell (échelle A) - Partie 1: Méthode d'essai (ISO 3738-1:1982)

La présente partie de l'ISO 3738 spécifie une méthode d'essai de dureté Rockwell (échelle A) pour les métaux-durs.

Trdine - Preskus trdote po Rockwellu (skala A) - 1. del: Preskusne metode (ISO 3738-1:1982)

Ta del ISO 3738 določa preskus trdote po Rockwelu (skala A) za trdine.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Apr-2010
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Oct-2010
• ICS: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals
• ICS: 77.160 - Powder metallurgy
• Technical Committee: CEN/SS M11 - Powder metallurgy
• Drafting Committee: CEN/SS M11 - Powder metallurgy
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 28-Apr-2010
• Due Date: 13-Jul-2011
• Completion Date: 28-Apr-2010
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 3738-1:2010 - Hardmetals - Rockwell hardness test (scale A) - Part 1: Test method (ISO 3738-1:1982)

Overview

EN ISO 3738-1:2010 specifies the Rockwell hardness test (scale A) method specifically for hardmetals, providing a standardized procedure globally recognized in the metalworking and powder metallurgy industries. This standard cancels and replaces ISO 3738:1976 and incorporates detailed principles, definitions, designations, apparatus requirements, test specimen preparation, testing procedures, result expressions, and reporting guidelines. It is critical for ensuring consistent and reliable hardness measurement of hardmetals using the Rockwell scale A.

Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 119, this standard underpins mechanical testing practices in powder metallurgy and hardmetal industries, ensuring testing methods are precise, repeatable, and comparable across international laboratories.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  The standard applies exclusively to hardmetals tested using the Rockwell hardness test scale A. It outlines the test method including symbols, parameters, testing equipment, and specimen requirements.

• Principle of the Test
  The test involves forcing a conical diamond indenter into the specimen surface with a preliminary load followed by an additional load, measuring the resulting indentation depth increase. Rockwell hardness (HRA) is calculated based on the permanent indentation depth under defined conditions.

• Test Parameters and Symbols
  Includes detailed designation of parameters such as:

  • Angle of diamond indenter cone (120° ± 0.5')
  • Load forces (preliminary 98.07 N and additional test force 4903 N)
  • Indentation depth readings
  • Required specimen surface finish and thickness for accuracy.

• Testing Equipment Requirements

  • Use of standardized diamond indenters conforming to ISO/R 716.
  • Calibration and verification procedures with standard hardmetal test blocks.
  • Guidelines on test machine performance and accuracy thresholds.

• Specimen Preparation

  • Surface roughness Ra < 0.2 μm.
  • Minimum thickness of 1.6 mm.
  • Flatness and surface parallelism requirements.
  • Specifications for curved surfaces with radius of curvature considerations.

• Testing Procedure

  • Disregard initial readings after indenter replacement to ensure accuracy.
  • Perform multiple indentations with spacing requirements to avoid influence between points.
  • Maintain specified loading durations and timing for consistent results.

• Result Expression and Reporting

  • Express hardness as the arithmetic mean of multiple readings rounded as per Table 3 in the standard.
  • Test report must reference EN ISO 3738-1:2010, identify the sample, record results, and include any deviations or incidents affecting results.
  • Avoid converting Rockwell hardness results to other hardness scales unless supported by reliable conversion data.

Applications

• Quality Control in Powder Metallurgy
  Ensures consistent hardness evaluation of hardmetal parts, supporting quality assurance in manufacturing.

• Tooling and Cutting Tools Manufacturing
  Hardmetals like cemented carbides used for cutting tools require precise hardness measurement to predict performance and lifespan.

• Research and Development
  Facilitates standardized hardness testing in developing new hardmetal materials and composites.

• Material Certification and Compliance
  Provides a recognized testing benchmark for acceptance criteria in industrial contracts and certification processes.

Related Standards

• ISO/R 80 – Rockwell hardness test (B and C scales) for steels, relevant for understanding other Rockwell scale adaptations.
• ISO/R 716 – Specifications and verification for diamond indenters used in Rockwell hardness testing.
• ISO 3738 (1976) – Superseded version of the Rockwell hardness testing for hardmetals.
• Other powder metallurgy and mechanical testing of metals standards under ICS 77.040.10 and 77.160.

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Keywords: EN ISO 3738-1:2010, Rockwell hardness test scale A, hardmetals testing, powder metallurgy hardness, diamond indenter Rockwell, hardness test procedure, mechanical testing metals, hardmetal quality control, standard test blocks.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2010
Trdine - Preskus trdote po Rockwellu (skala A) - 1. del: Preskusne metode (ISO
3738-1:1982)
Hardmetals - Rockwell hardness test (scale A) - Part 1: Test method (ISO 3738-1:1982)
Hartmetalle - Rockwell-Härteprüfung (Skala A) - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren (ISO 3738-1:1982)
Métaux-durs - Essai de dureté Rockwell (échelle A) - Partie 1: Méthode d'essai (ISO
3738-1:1982)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 3738-1:2010
ICS:
77.040.10 Mehansko preskušanje kovin Mechanical testing of metals
77.160 Metalurgija prahov Powder metallurgy
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 3738-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2010
ICS 77.040.10; 77.160
English Version
Hardmetals - Rockwell hardness test (scale A) - Part 1: Test
method (ISO 3738-1:1982)
Métaux-durs - Essai de dureté Rockwell (échelle A) - Partie Hartmetalle - Rockwell-Härteprüfung (Skala A) - Teil 1:
1: Méthode d'essai (ISO 3738-1:1982) Prüfverfahren (ISO 3738-1:1982)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 April 2010.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2010 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 3738-1:2010: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3

Foreword
The text of ISO 3738-1:1982 has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 119 “Powder metallurgy” of
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been taken over as EN ISO 3738-1:2010.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2010, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by October 2010.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 3738-1:1982 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 3738-1:2010 without any modification.

International Standard
3738 / 1
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION.MEX~YHAPO~HAR OPI-AHM3A~Mfl l-l0 CTAH~APTl43A~klI4.ORGANlSATlON INTERNATIONALE DE NORMALlSATlON
Hardmetals - Rockwell hardness test (scale A) -
Part 1 : Test method
Mktaux-durs - Essai de duret6 Rockwell (behelle A) - Partie 7 : Mdthode d’essai
First edition - 1982-10-15
U DC 669.018.25 : 620.178.152.42
Ref. No. ISO 3738/1-1982 (E)
Descriptors : powder metallurgy, hardmetals, tests, mechanical tests, hardness tests, Rockwell hardness.
Price based on 3 pages
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national Standards institutes (ISO member bodies). The work of developing Inter-
national Standards is carried out through ISO technical committees. Every member
body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been set up has the
right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to
the member bodies for approval before their acceptance as International Standards by
the ISO Council.
International Standard ISO 37380 was developed by Technical Committee
ISO/TC 119, Powder metahrgy, and was circulated to the member bodies in
February 1982.
lt has been approved by the member bodies of the following countries :
Brazil
Ireland Spain
Bulgaria Italy Sweden
China Korea, Rep. of Switzerland
Czechoslovakia Mexico USA
Egypt, Arab Rep. of Poland USSR
France Romania
Germany, F. R. South
...