ISO 6508-1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 1: Test method. Specifies the test method for Rockwell regular and Rockwell superficial hardness tests (scales A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T and 45T) for metallic materials, applicable to stationary and portable hardness-testing machines.

Abstract

This standard defines the procedure, apparatus and reporting requirements for performing Rockwell hardness measurements on metallic materials using regular and superficial Rockwell scales. It indicates applicable scales and basic limitations, and notes where other material-specific standards apply (for example ISO 3738-1 and ISO 4498).

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 13 December 2023 (ISO edition published December 2023).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 77.040.10 (Mechanical testing of metals).
• Edition / version: Edition 5 (2023).
• Number of pages: 31 pages (ISO edition).

(Summary of bibliographic details from ISO and national adoption notices.)

Scope

Applies to Rockwell regular and superficial hardness tests for the scales listed (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T) on metallic materials. The standard covers requirements for test apparatus, indenters, test forces and cycle, specimen preparation and test execution, reporting of results and applicability to both stationary and portable hardness-testing machines. For certain materials or product types, complementary standards (for example ISO 3738-1 for hardmetals or ISO 4498 for sintered metals) may apply.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined Rockwell regular and superficial scales and their applicable ranges (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, N and T scales).
• Specification of indenters (ball and diamond cone types) and the current preference/recognition of tungsten carbide composite ball indenters; steel balls allowed only under specified conditions/annexes.
• Test forces, preloads and additional forces, and the defined testing cycle (dwell times, application/removal sequence).
• Machine and indenter verification/verification intervals (see related parts ISO 6508-2 and ISO 6508-3 for calibration and reference-block calibration procedures).
• Specimen preparation, surface finish and minimum thickness/edge-distance requirements to ensure valid results.
• Reporting requirements, units (Rockwell hardness numbers), and notes on uncertainty and repeatability.

(Core requirements and topic list drawn from the ISO text and companion parts.)

Typical use and users

Used by materials testing and quality-control laboratories, manufacturers (metalworking, heat treatment, hardmetals, sintered metals), inspection and certification bodies, R&D departments, and accreditation/verification labs. Typical applications include incoming inspection, production control, hardness specification verification, research on heat treatments and compliance testing for contractual or regulatory requirements.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 6508 series; directly related documents include ISO 6508-2 (Verification and calibration of testing machines and indenters) and ISO 6508-3 (Calibration of reference blocks). Other material-specific standards referenced for special cases include ISO 3738-1 (hardmetals, Rockwell A) and ISO 4498 (sintered metal materials).

Keywords

Rockwell hardness, Rockwell test, hardness testing, metallic materials, hardness scales (HRA, HRB, HRC, HRD, HRF, HRG, HRH, HRK, HR-N, HR-T), indenters, calibration, reference blocks, ISO 6508.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 6508-1:2023 is the international standard that specifies the test method for Rockwell hardness testing (regular and superficial scales) on metallic materials.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test procedure, required apparatus and indenters, test forces and cycles, specimen preparation, result expression and reporting, and general applicability to stationary and portable hardness testers. For machine verification and reference-block calibration, see ISO 6508-2 and ISO 6508-3.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials testing laboratories, production quality-control teams, heat-treatment shops, manufacturers and suppliers of metallic components, accreditation/verification bodies, and R&D groups working on mechanical properties of metals.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 6508-1:2023 is the current published edition (published December 2023) and replaces the previous edition. Consult national adoption notices (EN ISO, national bodies) for regional implementation dates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the ISO 6508 series. Companion parts include ISO 6508-2 (verification and calibration of machines and indenters) and ISO 6508-3 (calibration of reference blocks).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Rockwell, Rockwell hardness, hardness test, metallic materials, HRA/HRB/HRC (and other Rockwell scales), indentation, indenter calibration, reference blocks, ISO 6508.