LAB 25 ✺ Traceability of hardness measurements

Traceability of Hardness
Measurements
[UKAS Publication ref: LAB 25]

Contents
Section Page

1 Introduction 3
2 Machine verification 3
3 Traceability of reference hardness blocks 3
4 Diamond hardness indenters 3
5 Ball indenters 4
6 Indentation measuring equipment – microscopes 4
7 Regular monitoring by in-house checks 4
8 Portable hardness testing comparators 4

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 LAB 25 Z Traceability of hardness measurements

About the United Kingdom Accreditation Service

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is recognised by the
UK Government as the national body responsible for assessing and accrediting
the competence of organisations in the fields of calibration, testing, inspection
and certification of systems, products and personnel.

LAB 25 Z Edition 1 Z November 2000

United Kingdom Accreditation Service

21 – 47 High Street
Feltham
Middlesex TW13 4UN
UK

Tel: 020 8917 8555

Fax: 020 8917 8500
website: www.ukas.com

© United Kingdom Accreditation Service 2000

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 LAB 25 ✺ Traceability of hardness measurements

1 Introduction
1.1 Calibrations and verifications of hardness testing equipment need to be
traceable to national measurement standards. When external calibration
services are used, a calibration certificate should be obtained from a
calibration laboratory that demonstrates competence, measurement capability
and traceability. A calibration certificate bearing the UKAS accreditation mark
(or mark of an accreditation body with which UKAS has a recognition
agreement) for the relevant calibration/verification will be sufficient
evidence.

2 Machine verification
2.1 Hardness testing machines should be verified at no greater than twelve-
monthly intervals and evidenced by a valid calibration certificate.

2.2 The calibration certificate should clearly identify the hardness machine and
the indenters and standard hardness block(s) used in its verification and,
normally, a statement of compliance that the testing machine complies with
the relevant hardness measurement specifications.

3 Traceability of reference hardness blocks

3.1 Valid certificates should be held for reference hardness blocks used for in-
house checks (see Section 7). Traceability to national or international standard
specifications may also be demonstrated by ;

(a) certification from Istituto di Metrolgia «G. Colonnetti» (IMGC), Turin,

Italy;

(b) certification by the issuing organisation which demonstrates that they

have met the requirements of the monitoring system for the relevant
hardness measurements.

3.2 Reference hardness blocks used for regular checks should be suitably
protected, maintained in a satisfactory condition in accordance with the
requirements of the relevant standard specification and used solely for this
purpose.

4 Diamond hardness indenters

4.1 Valid calibration certificates should be held for Vickers, Rockwell and
Rockwell Superficial diamond indenters.

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 LAB 25 Z Traceability of hardness measurements

5 Ball indenters
5.1 The relevant standards specify sampling requirements and limits for ball
diameter; roundness; surface finish; hardness; and, in the case of tungsten
carbide, chemical composition.

5.2 Ball indenters should be obtained from a bonded batch and evidenced by a
valid certificate confirming compliance with the relevant standard
specifications.

6 Indentation measuring equipment – microscopes

6.1 The indirect verification of integral indentation measuring equipment is
normally carried out as part of the indirect verification of a hardness machine,
eg, by a UKAS accredited calibration laboratory. Separate measuring
equipment (eg, hand microscopes), should also be verified and a valid
calibration certificate obtained. Such indirect verification should be done at
least annually and whenever the equipment becomes damaged or is repaired.

7 Regular monitoring by in-house checks

7.1 Laboratories holding accreditation for hardness testing should carry out
regular in-house checks using reference hardness blocks which meet the
requirements of Section 3.

7.2 These checks should be made at intervals specified by the testing standard. If
no period is specified, checks should be made before use on each day the
machine is used. The checks should be made under conditions of load and
hardness comparable to those to be used in the subsequent hardness test
measurements. Permanent records should be made of each check. A machine
should be deemed satisfactory if all hardness readings fall within the
tolerance values for monitoring hardness machines as stated in the relevant
standard specification. If not, an indirect verification should be performed.

7.3 Measuring microscopes should be checked before the hardness check in

paragraph 7.2 or as required by the relevant standard specification, by
measuring the reference indentation on a reference block. Permanent records
should be made of each check.

8 Portable hardness testing comparators

8.1 In cases where no route exists to establish the traceability of verification of
portable hardness testing machines, accreditation is limited to comparative
testing.

8.2 Portable hardness testing comparators should be serviced at intervals no

greater than twelve-months and be evidenced by a service report.

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 LAB 25 ✺ Traceability of hardness measurements

8.3 Laboratories holding accreditation for comparative portable hardness testing

should carry out regular in-house checks using suitable reference hardness
blocks or samples. These checks should include as a minimum:

(a) a check before use on each day the portable hardness comparator is
used;

(b) checks when different surface configurations are tested;

(c) checks before use whenever the orientation at which the comparator is
used is changed (eg from vertically upwards to horizontally);

(d) checks when a series of tests is to be carried out in the same orientation;
these checks should be made at intervals that are sufficiently short to
ensure that the portable hardness testing comparator is producing
consistent comparative hardness values.

8.4 For portable Brinell, Rockwell, Superficial Rockwell or Vickers hardness

comparators, reference hardness blocks with a valid certificate of calibration
should be used where possible.

8.5 Test reports issued by laboratories accredited for comparative portable

hardness testing should clearly state that the hardness tests results are
comparative. When the hardness readings originally obtained are reported as
a conversion to another hardness scale, this fact should be clearly indicated
on the test report.

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