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ASTM E18-07 and 08: New Changes That Affect Your Rockwell Hardness Testing

Hardness Testing Ball Indenters

The latest changes to the ASTM E18 standard require suppliers to verify the
performance of ball indenters to meet E18-07 and later compliance. This is a
new requirement in the ASTM standard that standardizes the performance of
the indenters and for the first time provides ball indenter traceability to
recognized Rockwell hardness levels. To establish further traceability, all
ball indenters or ball indenter containers must be serialized.

When performing normal hardness tests only carbide balls can be used. The use of steel balls has been
virtually eliminated. The only exception to use steel balls in Rockwell testing is when testing thin sheet
tin mill products in accordance with ASTM A623 or A623M, limited to the HR15T & HR30T hardness
test scales using a diamond spot anvil. E18-07 requires that all carbide balls must have a certificate
indicating that they meet the requirements of the standard that includes geometry, chemical analysis,
density, and hardness.

Ball indenters have been separated into two classes. Class A and Class B. Class A indenters are used to
certify hardness testers and calibrate hardness test blocks. Class B indenters are used to perform
everyday normal hardness tests. The tables below summarize the performance requirement and
geometry differences between the two classes. All Wilson® Instruments hardness testing balls and balls
installed in indenters meet Class A premium grade requirements at no additional cost.

Rockwell Ball Indenter Performance Verification Tolerances

Ball Size Inches Hardness Scale E18-07 / 08 E18-07 / 08
(mm) and Range of Test Block Required Class A Tolerance Class B Tolerance
1/16 (1.588) 20 – 100 HRBW +/- .4 HRBW +/- .8 HRBW
1/8 (3.175) 68 – 92 HREW +/- .4 HREW +/- .8 HREW
1/4 (6.350) HRLW, HRMW or HRPW (Any level) +/- .4 HR +/- .8 HR
1/2 (12.70) HRRW, HRSW or HRVW (Any level) +/- .4 HR +/- .8 HR

Rockwell Testing Ball Diameter Tolerances

Grade Tolerance
A +/- .0010 mm From the Nominal Diameter *
B +/- .0025 mm From the Nominal Diameter *
* When measured at not less than (3) positions

825 University Ave • Norwood, MA 02062 • 781.575.6000 • www.wilsoninstruments.com

Why is this important?
1. In previous versions of the ASTM standard, manufacturers were not required to performance
check the ball indenters. Now, with this new requirement, a user can be assured that the
indenter will read correctly on all applicable ball indenter scales.
2. Ball indenters verified to previous ASTM E18 revisions are not compliant to the new standard
and can not be used when testing to ASTM E18-07 or later revisions.
3. Users need to now use carbide balls since testing with steel balls is not in compliance with
E18-07 (or later) under normal hardness testing conditions.
4. Added Performance Requirement + The Use of Carbide Balls = Better Reading Ball Indenters

It's easy to verify if your indenters are compliant to the revised standard – just review a copy of your
indenter calibration certificate. According to E18-07 and later, it is required for the manufacturer to state
the ASTM year of compliance on the certificate. Additionally, the calibration agency must be accredited
to ISO/IEC 17025 by an accreditation agency recognized by the ILAC agreement. Examples of such
approved accrediting bodies are NVLAP, UKAS and A2LA. Accreditation compliance can be verified
by the accrediting body logo, which is required on the calibration certificate.

825 University Ave • Norwood, MA 02062 • 781.575.6000 • www.wilsoninstruments.com