EN ISO 6506-1:2014

Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO 6506-1:2014)

ISO 6506-1:2014 specifies the method for the Brinell hardness test for metallic materials. It is applicable to both fixed location and portable hardness testing machines.
For some specific materials and/or products, particular International Standards exist (e.g. ISO 4498) and make reference to this International Standard.

Metallische Werkstoffe - Härteprüfung nach Brinell - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren (ISO 6506-1:2014)

In diesem Teil von ISO 6506 ist das Verfahren für die Prüfung der Brinellhärte von metallischen Werkstoffen festgelegt. Er ist anwendbar für ortsgebundene und ortsveränderliche Härteprüfmaschinen.
Für einige besondere Werkstoffe und/oder Erzeugnisse gibt es spezielle Internationale Normen (z. B. ISO 4498-1), die sich auf diese Norm beziehen.

Matériaux métalliques - Essai de dureté Brinell - Partie 1: Méthode d'essai (ISO 6506-1:2014)

L'ISO 6506-1:2014 spécifie la méthode d'essai de dureté Brinell pour les matériaux métalliques. Elle s'applique à la fois aux machines d'essai de dureté fixes et portables.
Pour des matériaux et/ou produits spécifiques, des Normes internationales spécifiques existent (par exemple l'ISO 4498) et font référence à la présente Norme internationale.

Kovinski materiali - Preskus trdote po Brinellu - 1. del: Preskusna metoda (ISO 6506-1:2014)

Ta del standarda ISO 6506 določa metodo za preskus trdote po Brinellu za kovinske materiale. Uporablja se za nepremične in premične naprave za preskušanje trdote.
Za nekatere posebne materiale in/ali izdelke obstajajo posamezni mednarodni standardi (npr. standard ISO 4498), i se sklicujejo na ta mednarodni standard.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Sep-2014
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Mar-2015
• ICS: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals
• Technical Committee: ECISS/TC 101 - Test methods for steel (other than chemical analysis)
• Drafting Committee: ECISS/TC 101 - Test methods for steel (other than chemical analysis)
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 24-Sep-2014
• Completion Date: 24-Sep-2014
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 6506-1:2014 - Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO 6506-1:2014)

Relations

• Replaces: EN ISO 6506-1:2005 - Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO 6506-1:2005)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Revised: prEN ISO 6506-1 - Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO/DIS 6506-1:2023)
• Effective Date: 20-Oct-2021

Overview

EN ISO 6506-1:2014 (CEN adoption of ISO 6506-1:2014) defines the Brinell hardness test method for metallic materials. It specifies how to produce and measure a spherical indentation using a tungsten‑carbide ball indenter and convert the measured indentation to a Brinell hardness value (HBW). The standard applies to both fixed‑location and portable hardness testing machines and is the primary reference for routine Brinell hardness testing in industry and laboratories.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Principle: Force a polished tungsten‑carbide ball (diameter D) into the test surface; measure the mean indentation diameter (d) after unloading and calculate HBW from the applied force and indentation geometry.
• Apparatus: Testing machine capable of forces from about 9.807 N to 29.42 kN, polished tungsten‑carbide ball indenters, and optical/mechanical diameter measuring systems (see ISO 6506‑2 for verification/calibration of machines).
• Test forces / designations: Standardized force/ball combinations and HBW notation are used (designation includes hardness symbol, ball diameter, applied force and test duration).
• Indentation limits: The indentation diameter should generally be between 0.24 D and 0.6 D; deviations must be reported.
• Specimen requirements: Surface must be smooth, free of scale/lubricant; thickness should be at least eight times the indentation depth (see Annex B for minimum thickness rules).
• Test conditions: Recommended ambient temperature 10 °C to 35 °C (commonly controlled to 23 °C ±5 °C); application and dwell times specified (nominal application ~7 s, dwell ~14 s with tolerance ranges).
• Positioning rules: Minimum distance from edge to center ≥ 2.5 × mean indentation diameter; spacing between indentations ≥ 3 × mean indentation diameter.
• Uncertainty & verification: Procedures for uncertainty estimation and machine periodic checks are included (Annex A and Annex C).

Applications and users

EN ISO 6506-1:2014 is used for:

• Quality control and acceptance testing in foundries, steel mills, aluminum and copper alloy producers.
• Metallurgical and mechanical testing laboratories for material characterization.
• Fabrication and maintenance teams assessing hardness on castings, forgings and large components where macro‑hardness is required.
• Portable on-site hardness testing when fixed machines are impractical.

Typical users: metallurgists, QA/QC engineers, NDT technicians, test lab managers, and production engineers needing reliable Brinell hardness values (HBW).

Related standards

• ISO 6506-2:2014 - Verification and calibration of Brinell testing machines
• ISO 6506-3:2014 - Calibration of reference blocks
• ISO 6506-4 - Table of Brinell hardness values
• ISO 4498 - Sintered metal materials (references ISO 6506‑1 for Brinell testing)

Keywords: EN ISO 6506-1, ISO 6506-1:2014, Brinell hardness test, HBW, metallic materials, hardness testing machines, tungsten carbide ball, indentation diameter, hardness testing standard.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2014
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 6506-1:2006
Kovinski materiali - Preskus trdote po Brinellu - 1. del: Preskusna metoda (ISO
6506-1:2014)
Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO 6506-1:2014)
Metallische Werkstoffe - Härteprüfung nach Brinell - Teil 1: Prüfverfahren (ISO 6506-
1:2014)
Matériaux métalliques - Essai de dureté Brinell - Partie 1: Méthode d'essai (ISO 6506-
1:2014)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 6506-1:2014
ICS:
77.040.10 Mehansko preskušanje kovin Mechanical testing of metals
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 6506-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2014
ICS 77.040.10 Supersedes EN ISO 6506-1:2005
English Version
Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method
(ISO 6506-1:2014)
Matériaux métalliques - Essai de dureté Brinell - Partie 1: Metallische Werkstoffe - Härteprüfung nach Brinell - Teil 1:
Méthode d'essai (ISO 6506-1:2014) Prüfverfahren (ISO 6506-1:2014)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 August 2014.

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-CENELEC 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-CENELEC 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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 6506-1:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
Foreword
This document (EN ISO 6506-1:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 164 “Mechanical
testing of metals” in collaboration with Technical Committee ECISS/TC 101 “Test methods for steel (other
than chemical analysis)” the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
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 March 2015, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by March 2015.
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.
This document supersedes EN ISO 6506-1:2005.
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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 6506-1:2014 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 6506-1:2014 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6506-1
Third edition
2014-10-01
Metallic materials — Brinell hardness
test —
Part 1:
Test method
Matériaux métalliques — Essai de dureté Brinell —
Partie 1: Méthode d’essai
Reference number
ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
©
ISO 2014
ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
© ISO 2014
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Principle . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 1
5 Apparatus . 3
6 Test piece . 3
7 Procedure. 4
8 Uncertainty of the results . 6
9 Test report . 6
Annex A (normative) Procedure for periodic checking of the testing machine by the user .8
Annex B (normative) Minimum thickness of the test piece in relation to the mean diameter
of indentation . 9
Annex C (informative) Uncertainty of the measured hardness values.11
Bibliography .16
ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established 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.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 164, Mechanical testing of metals, Subcommittee
SC 3, Hardness testing.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 6506-1:2005), which has been technically
revised.
ISO 6506 consists of the following parts, under the general title Metallic materials — Brinell hardness
test:
— Part 1: Test method
— Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing machines
— Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks
— Part 4: Table of hardness values
iv © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test —
Part 1:
Test method
1 Scope
This part of ISO 6506 specifies the method for the Brinell hardness test for metallic materials. It is
applicable to both fixed location and portable hardness testing machines.
For some specific materials and/or products, particular International Standards exist (e.g. ISO 4498)
and make reference to this International Standard.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4498, Sintered metal materials, excluding hardmetals — Determination of apparent hardness and
microhardness
ISO 6506-2:2014, Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing
machines
ISO 6506-3:2014, Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks
ISO 6506-4, Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 4: Table of hardness values
3 Principle
An indenter (tungsten carbide composite ball with diameter, D) is forced into the surface of a test piece
and, after removal of the force, F, the diameter of the indentation, d, left in the surface is measured.
The Brinell hardness is proportional to the quotient obtained by dividing the test force by the curved
surface area of the indentation. The indentation is assumed to take the shape of the unloaded ball
indenter, and its surface area is calculated from the mean indentation diameter and the ball diameter,
using the formula given in Table 1.
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
4.1 See Figure 1 and Table 1.
ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Table 1 — Symbols and abbreviated terms
Symbol/
Definition Unit
abbreviated term
D Diameter of the ball mm
F Test force N
d Mean diameter of the indentation mm
dd+
d=
d , d Indentation diameters measured at approximately 90° mm
1 2
h Depth of indentation
 
Dd
mm
 
h=−11−
2  
D
 
HBW Brinell hardness
Test force
=×constant (see Note)
idealized surface area of inndentation
2F
HBW0=×,102
 2 
d
 
π D 11−−
 
D
 
0,102 × F/D Force-diameter index
NOTE constant =≈0,102 , where 9,806 65 is the conversion factor from kgf to N.
9,80665
4.2 The following is an example of the designation of Brinell hardness, HBW.
EXAMPLE
600HBW 1/ 30 / 20
duration time of test force (20s), if not within the
specified range (10s to 15 s)
approximate kgf equivalent of applied test force,
where 30 kgf = 294,2N
ball diameter in mm
hardness symbol
Brinell hardness value
NOTE In former editions of this International Standard, when use of a steel ball was permitted, the Brinell
hardness was denoted by HB or HBS.
2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Figure 1 — Principle of test
For symbols, see Table 1.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Testing machine, capable of applying a predetermined test force or test forces within the range of
9,807 N to 29,42 kN, in accordance with ISO 6506-2.
5.2 Indenter, a polished tungsten carbide composite ball, as specified in ISO 6506-2.
5.3 Indentation diameter measuring system, as specified in ISO 6506-2.
6 Test piece
6.1 The test shall be carried out on a surface which is smooth and even; free from oxide scale, foreign
matter, and, in particular, free from lubricants. The test piece shall have a surface finish that will allow an
accurate measurement of the diameter of the indentation.
NOTE For indentations made with the smaller ball indenters, it might be necessary to polish or lap the surface
prior to making the indentation.
6.2 Preparation shall be carried out in such a way that any alteration of the surface, for example, due to
excessive heating or cold-working, is minimized.
6.3 The thickness of the test piece shall be at least eight times the depth of indentation. Values for the
minimum thickness of the test piece in relation to the mean diameter of indentation are given in Annex B.
Visible deformation at the back of the test piece can indicate that the test piece is too thin.
ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
7 Procedure
7.1 In general, the test should be carried out at ambient temperature within the limits of 10 °C to 35 °C.
However, because temperature variation can affect the results, users of the Brinell test can choose to
control the temperature within a tighter range, such as 23 °C ± 5 °C.
7.2 Before performing any tests, confirm that verification has been performed in accordance with
Annex A.
7.3 The test forces given in Table 2 shall be used. Other test forces and force-diameter indices can be
used by special agreement.
Table 2 — Test forces for the different testing conditions
Ball diameter Test force value
Force-diameter index
Hardness symbol D F
0,102 × F/D
mm N
HBW 10/3 000 10 30 29 420
HBW 10/1 500 10 15 14 710
HBW 10/1 000 10 10 9 807
HBW 10/500 10 5 4 903
HBW 10/250 10 2,5 2 452
HBW 10/100 10 1 980,7
HBW 5/750 5 30 7 355
HBW 5/250 5 10 2 452
HBW 5/125 5 5 1 226
HBW 5/62,5 5 2,5 612,9
HBW 5/25 5 1 245,2
HBW 2,5/187,5 2,5 30 1 839
HBW 2,5/62,5 2,5 10 612,9
HBW 2,5/31,25 2,5 5 306,5
HBW 2,5/15,625 2,5 2,5 153,2
HBW 2,5/6,25 2,5 1 61,29
HBW 1/30 1 30 294,2
HBW 1/10 1 10 98,07
HBW 1/5 1 5 49,03
HBW 1/2,5 1 2,5 24,52
HBW 1/1 1 1 9,807
7.4 The test force should be chosen so that the diameter of the indentation, d, lies between the values
0,24 D and 0,6 D. If the diameter of the indentation lies outside these limits, the ratio of indentation
diameter to indenter diameter (d/D) shall be stated in the test report. Table 3 indicates recommended
force-diameter indices (0,102 × F/D ) that are appropriate for use when testing certain materials and
hardness levels. In order to test the largest representative area of the test piece, the diameter of the
indenter ball should be chosen to be as large as possible.
4 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

ISO 6506-1:2014(E)
Table 3 — Recommended force-diameter indices for different metallic materials
Force-diameter index
Brinell hardness
Material
HBW
0,102 × F/D
Steel, nickel alloys, titanium alloys 30
<140 10
a
Cast iron
≥140 30
< 35 5
Copper and copper alloys 35 to 200 10
>200 30
<35 2,5
35 to 80 10
Light metals and their alloys
>80 10
Lead, tin 1
Sintered metal According to ISO 4498
a
For the testing of cast iron, the nominal diameter of the ball shall be 2,5 mm, 5 mm, or
10 mm.
7.5 The test piece shall be placed on a rigid support. The contact surfaces shall be clean and free from
foreign matter (scale, oil, dirt, etc.). It is important that the test piece lies firmly on the support so that
displacement cannot occur during the test.
7.6 Bring the indenter into contact with the test surface and apply the test force in a direction
perpendicular to the surface;
...