E18 − 19

TABLE A2.2 Standardization Laboratory Environmental A2.6 Periodic Verification Procedures

Requirements
A2.6.1 Perform Cleaning and Maintenance—If required,
Environmental Accuracy of
Parameter
Tolerance
Measuring Instrument cleaning and routine maintenance of the standardizing machine
Temperature 23.0 ± 3.0 °C ±1.0 °C shall be made before conducting direct or indirect verifications
(73.4 ± 5.4 °F) (1.8 °F) in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and in-
Relative humidity #70 % ±10 % structions.
A2.6.2 Direct Verification—Perform a direct verification of
the standardizing machine in accordance with the schedule
shall be as given in Table A2.2. The display of the temperature given in Table A2.3. The test forces, depth measuring system,
measuring device shall have a resolution of at least 1 °C. and machine hysteresis shall be verified.
A2.6.2.1 Verification of the Test Forces—For each Rockwell
A2.4.2 The temperature and relative-humidity of the stan-
scale that will be used, the associated forces (preliminary test
dardizing laboratory shall be monitored beginning at least one
force, total test force, and test force during elastic recovery)
hour prior to standardization and throughout the standardizing
shall be measured. The test forces shall be measured by means
procedure.
of a Class AA elastic force measuring instrument having an
A2.4.3 The standardizing machine, indenter(s), and test accuracy of at least 0.05 %, as described in Practices E74.
blocks to be standardized must be in an environment meeting A2.6.2.2 Make three measurements of each force. The
the tolerances of Table A2.2 for at least one hour prior to forces shall be measured as they are applied during testing.
standardization. A2.6.2.3 Each preliminary test force F0 and each total test
A2.4.4 During the standardization process, the standardiz- force F shall be accurate to within 0.25 % in accordance with
ing machine shall be isolated from any vibration that may Table A2.4.
affect the measurements. A2.6.2.4 Verification of the Depth Measuring System—The
depth measuring system shall be verified by means of an
A2.4.5 The power supply to the standardizing machine shall
instrument having an accuracy of at least 0.0001 mm.
be isolated from any electrical surges that could affect its
A2.6.2.5 Verify the standardizing machine’s measurement
performance.
of depth at not less than four evenly spaced increments of
A2.5 Verifications approximately 0.05 mm at the range of the normal working
depth of the standardizing machine. The normal working depth
A2.5.1 The standardizing machine shall undergo direct and range shall correspond to the lowest and highest hardness
indirect verifications at periodic intervals and when circum- values for the Rockwell scales that will be standardized or that
stances occur that may affect the performance of the standard- will be used for indenter calibrations.
izing machine, according to the schedule given in Table A2.3. A2.6.2.6 For testing machines with long stroke actuators
A2.5.2 A standardizing machine used for the standardiza- and fixed anvils, the depth measurement verification shall be
tion of test blocks shall undergo monitoring verifications each repeated at positions corresponding to each thickness of test
day that standardizations are made, according to the schedule block that will be standardized or that will be used for indenter
given in Table A2.3. calibrations.
A2.5.3 All instruments used to make measurements re- A2.6.2.7 The indentation depth measuring device shall have
quired by this Annex shall be calibrated traceable to national an accuracy of at least 0.0002 mm over the normal working
standards where a system of traceability exists, except as noted depth range which corresponds to 0.1 regular Rockwell hard-
otherwise. ness units and 0.2 Rockwell Superficial hardness units.
A2.6.2.8 Verification of Machine Hysteresis—Most Rock-
A2.5.4 The standardizing machine shall be directly and well hardness machines will undergo flexure in the machine
indirectly verified at the location where it will be used. frame and some machine components each time a test is made.
If the flexure is not entirely elastic during the application and
removal of the additional force F1, the testing machine may
TABLE A2.3 Verification Schedule for a Rockwell Hardness
Standardizing Machine exhibit hysteresis in the indenter depth measuring system,
resulting in an offset or bias in the test result. The goal of the
Verification
Schedule
Procedure
Direct Shall be every 12 months. TABLE A2.4 Tolerances on Applied Force for the
verification When a standardizing machine is new, moved, or when Standardizing Machine
adjustments, modifications or repairs are made that could
affect the application of the test forces, the depth measuring Force, kgf (N) Tolerance, kgf (N)
system, or the machine hysteresis. 10 (98.07) 0.025 (0.245)
60 (588.4) 0.150 (1.471)
Indirect Shall be within 12 months prior to standardization testing. 100 (980.7) 0.250 (2.452)
verification Following a direct verification(limited number of scales). 150 (1471) 0.375 (3.678)
3 (29.42) 0.008 (0.074)
Monitoring Shall be before and after each lot is standardized, and at the 15 (147.1) 0.038 (0.368)
verification end of each day and the start of the following day when a 30 (294.2) 0.075 (0.736)
single lot is standardized over multiple days. 45 (441.3) 0.113 (1.103)

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