ISO 6507-1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 6507-1:2023 — Metallic materials — Vickers hardness test — Part 1: Test method. This international standard specifies the Vickers hardness test method for metallic materials (including hardmetals and cemented carbides) and for metallic and other inorganic coatings, covering the definitions, test procedure, measurement and reporting for Vickers hardness determinations.

Abstract

ISO 6507-1:2023 defines the Vickers hardness test for three ranges of test force, applicable to metallic materials and many inorganic coatings. It specifies the permitted lengths of indentation diagonals (typically between about 0.020 mm and 1.400 mm), provides requirements for specimen preparation, loading, optical measurement of indentations, calculation and reporting of Vickers hardness values (HV), and a periodic verification method for hardness-testing machines. The standard explicitly notes limitations for very thin coatings and refers to instrumented indentation standards for very small indentations.

General information

• Status: Published / Current.
• Publication date: October 2023 (Edition 5).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted identically as EN ISO / national adoptions as applicable.
• ICS / categories: 77.040.10 — Mechanical testing of metals.
• Edition / version: Edition 5 (2023).
• Number of pages: Approximately 35–36 pages (published ISO edition reported as 35–36 pages; national/EN publications may show slight pagination differences).

Scope

This part of ISO 6507 specifies the Vickers hardness test for the three defined ranges of test force for metallic materials, including hardmetals and other cemented carbides, and for metallic and other inorganic coatings (electrodeposited, autocatalytic, sprayed, anodic on aluminium, etc.). It applies to measurements normal to coated surfaces and to cross-section measurements when coating characteristics permit accurate diagonal readings. The standard excludes the use of this optical indentation method for extremely small indentations (below the stated diagonal limits) and for coatings below specified thickness thresholds; for very small indentations instrumented indentation testing standards (for example ISO 14577‑1) are referenced.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of Vickers hardness (HV) and hardness-symbol conventions for the different test-force ranges.
• Specified test-force ranges and test classifications (conventional, low‑force and micro‑Vickers test ranges) and related symbols.
• Limits on indentation diagonal lengths (nominally ≥0.020 mm up to about 1.400 mm) and the related measurement accuracy requirements.
• Requirements for specimen preparation (surface condition, flatness, mounting) and for selection of test locations to avoid edge and substrate effects on coatings.
• Measurement procedure: loading/unloading, optical measurement of diagonals, calculation of HV, rounding/reporting rules and required test data in reports.
• Machine verification and periodic verification procedures for in-service hardness-testing machines (including use of reference blocks and indirect verification methods).
• Notes on limitations (minimum coating thickness for reliable results when tested normal to/through cross-sections) and reference to instrumented indentation standards for very small indentations.

Typical use and users

Used by metallurgical and materials testing laboratories, quality assurance and inspection teams in manufacturing (metal fabrication, heat treatment, coatings), calibration laboratories, research and development groups, and standards bodies. Applicable where Vickers hardness values are required for material specification, process control, conformity testing and equipment verification.

Related standards

Key related documents in the hardness/indentation family include ISO 6507 (other parts such as ISO 6507‑2 and ISO 6507‑3 covering verification/calibration and reference blocks), the Knoop hardness standard ISO 4545‑1:2023, and instrumented indentation standards (for very small indentations) such as ISO 14577‑1. The 2023 edition of ISO 6507‑1 replaces or consolidates earlier documents (for example ISO 6516/4545/4516 legacy items and ISO 6507‑1:2018).

Keywords

Vickers, HV, hardness, microhardness, indentation, metallic materials, coatings, test method, verification, calibration, reference blocks, ISO/TC 164/SC 3.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 6507-1:2023 is the international standard that specifies the Vickers hardness test method for metallic materials and certain inorganic coatings (Part 1 of the ISO 6507 series).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, permitted test-force ranges, specimen preparation, test procedure (loading, measurement of indentation diagonals), calculation and reporting of Vickers hardness (HV), and periodic verification of testing machines; it also states limitations for very small indentations and thin coatings.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing and calibration laboratories, QA/QC personnel in manufacturing and heat‑treatment/coatings industries, R&D labs and standards organizations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 6507-1:2023 is the current published edition (October 2023) and supersedes earlier editions of ISO 6507‑1 and several related legacy documents. National and regional adoptions (for example EN ISO versions) have been published to adopt this edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is Part 1 of the ISO 6507 series (Vickers hardness test). Related parts address verification/calibration of testing machines and calibration of reference blocks (for example ISO 6507‑2 and ISO 6507‑3) and other international hardness standards (for example ISO 4545‑1 for Knoop).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Vickers, HV, hardness test, microhardness, indentation diagonal, metallic materials, coatings, verification, calibration, ISO 6507.