10.6.

10 Test Method

Hardness tests shall be made in accordance with ISO 6506-1 or ASTM E10 for Brinell hardness tests and ISO 6508-
1 or ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness tests.

Two types of hardness test are used in these standards:

— external surface tests involving a single indentation, and

— through-wall hardness tests involving multiple indentations.

External surface tests may be made using either the Rockwell or the Brinell method and may be used for product
acceptance and process control as specified in this standard.

Through-wall hardness tests shall be made by the Rockwell method and used for product acceptance for maximum
hardness and allowable hardness variation and for as-quenched hardenability. Through-wall hardness tests shall be
made transverse to the axis of the product. When the hardness ring is removed from the end of the length, the
hardness tests shall be made on the side of the specimen farthest from the end of the length (that is, away from the
quenched end surface). The first indentation on each product test block or ring quadrant shall be performed mid-wall
and shall be disregarded in order to reduce the possibility of errors.

For Grades L80, C90, T95, and C110 the through-wall hardness test shall only be made using hardness testers with
digital readout (one or more decimal places).

When the specified wall thickness of a product is less than 7.62 mm (0.30 in.), three indentations in the mid-wall of the
specimen in each quadrant are acceptable for through-wall hardness tests. For all other products, in each quadrant
three indentations shall be made in each of three locations. The hardness numbers from three indentations in each
location, i.e. outside-wall, mid-wall and inside-wall, shall be combined to give a mean hardness number for each
location. A through-wall hardness test comprises mean hardness numbers for each location in a quadrant, in either
one or four quadrants as specified in this standard.

Indentations at the outside-wall and inside-wall locations shall be made between 2.54 mm (0.10 in.) and 3.81 mm
(0.15 in.) from the applicable outer or inner surface, but not closer than 2 1/2 indentation diameters from the center of
an indentation to the edge of the surface. Indentations shall be no closer than three indentation diameters from
another indentation, measured center to center. Alternate spacing of rows of indentations is permitted for thin-wall
product.

The surfaces of the product test block or ring that contact the anvil and the indenter shall be parallel within 0.5°. When
product test blocks or rings are prepared using a magnetic platen surface grinder, or other consistent machining
processes that ensure this requirement is met, verification of parallelism is not required. When other methods are
used to prepare the product test blocks or rings, the parallelism shall be verified on each product test block or ring.

The surface of the product test block or ring that contacts the anvil shall have a finish not rougher than that produced
by dry grinding with 240 (P240) grit paper.

The surfaces of the product test block or ring that contact the anvil and the test machine components (e.g. indenter,
indenter-holder, anvil and anvil seat) shall be visually inspected and shall be free of visible foreign matter, lubricants,
rust, and burrs.

Overhang of product test blocks or rings beyond the anvil support of less than or equal to 40 % of the surface area of
the product test block or ring is acceptable. The overhang may exceed 40 % of the surface area of the product test
block or ring when the testing equipment is designed and validated to yield consistently accurate results for such use.
External support is not permitted.
The anvil and anvil seat shall not have protrusions or indentations that adversely affect the hardness result.

When standardized test blocks are used for the verification of a hardness machine, the same anvil shall be used for
the verification as will be used for acceptance testing following the verification.

Only indenters that have been calibrated (verified) for use with the specific test machine to be used, such as during an
indirect verification, shall be used. When other indenters are used, they shall be verified using an indirect verification
with respect to a more accurate indenter (e.g. reference indenter with less error). The polished portion of the HRC
indenter shall be visually inspected periodically for damage (e.g. cracks, chips, pits, and so forth) with the aid of
adequate magnification (e.g. 20X or higher).

If two or more hardness indentations at a location (same outside-wall, mid-wall or inside-wall in a quadrant) are
greater than 20 HRC, and if the difference between the highest and lowest indentations at that location is greater than
2.5 HRC, then three additional indentations in the same location shall be taken. In such case, the mean hardness
number shall be based on the three additional indentations. The test report shall indicate that additional indentations
were made and the original test data shall be available upon request. Additional indentations are not allowed if any
Rockwell hardness number is over 27.0 HRC for Grades C90 or T95 or over 31.0 HRC for Grade C110.

The through-wall hardness test is usually made using the Rockwell C-scale. It is acceptable to use the Rockwell C-
scale on materials having a hardness below 20 HRC. Care should be exercised when evaluating hardness below 20
HRC because of a potential lack of precision, but nevertheless these results may be used to determine hardness. The
use of the Rockwell B-scale on materials having a hardness below 20 HRC is at the option of the manufacturer or as
specified in the purchase agreement. Rockwell hardness numbers and mean hardness numbers shall be reported in
Rockwell C, from actual or converted numbers, to the first or second decimal place.

Hardness conversions shall be made in accordance with an appropriate conversion table selected by the
manufacturer, unless otherwise specified in the purchase agreement.

Brinell hardness numbers shall be rounded to three significant digits and the test conditions reported if test forces
other than 29.42 kN (3000 kgf), ball diameters other than 10 mm (0.394 in.) and test force application duration other
than 10 s to 15 s are used.

Laboratory Rockwell C scale shall be used as a referee method in cases of disagreement.

10.6.11 Invalidation of Tests

Any test specimen that shows defective preparation or material imperfections unrelated to the intent of the test,
whether observed before or after testing, may be discarded and be replaced by another specimen from the same
length of product.

10.6.12 Periodic Checks of Hardness-testing Machines

Periodic checks of testing machines shall be made using the procedures in ISO 6506-1 or ASTM E10 for Brinell
hardness test machines, or ISO 6508-1 or ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness test machines.

NOTE Both relevant ISO texts are entitled “Procedure for Periodic Checks of the Testing Machines by the User” and both ASTM
paragraphs are entitled “Daily Verification”.

For through-wall hardness testing of Grades L80, C90, T95, and C110, the standardized test block shall have a
maximum non-uniformity of 0.4 HRC. For all other Grades and hardenability tests, the standardized test block shall
have a maximum non-uniformity of 1.0 HRC. The non-uniformity of the standardized test block shall be determined by
the difference between the highest and lowest indentation number stated in the standardized test block certificate.
At least two preliminary indentations on each standardized test block should be disregarded in order to reduce the
possibility of errors. After the preliminary indentations, at least three hardness indentations shall be made on the
standardized test block. For through-wall hardness testing of Grades L80, C90, T95, and C110 the error shall not
exceed ±0.5 HRC. For all other grades and hardenability tests, the error shall not exceed ±1.0 HRC. The error shall
be determined by the certified mean hardness number of the standardized test block minus the mean hardness
number determined during the periodic check.

The testing machine shall be checked at the beginning and end of a continuous run of testing and at such times as
are required to assure the operator of the equipment and the purchaser (or representative) that the machine is
satisfactory. In any event, checks should be made at least once every 8 hr of a continuous run of testing. Checks shall
be made on standardized test blocks within the following hardness ranges:

a) Grades L80 (all types), C90, and T95: 20 HRC to 27 HRC

b) Grade C110: 24 HRC to 32 HRC

c) Grade Q125: 24 HRC to 35 HRC

d) All hardenability tests: 35 HRC to 55 HRC

If the checks indicate that the testing machine results are unsatisfactory, the machine shall be verified by indirect
verification using standardized test blocks according to the procedures in ISO 6506-2 or ASTM E10 for Brinell
hardness test machines, or ISO 6508-2 or ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness test machines.

In cases of disagreement, for Grades C90, T95, and C110 one standardized test block shall be within 20 HRC to 26
HRC and another standardized test block shall be within 30 HRC to 46 HRC to confirm accuracy and linearity using a
two-block verification. The standardized test blocks shall have a maximum non-uniformity of 0.4 HRC (difference
between the highest and lowest indentation number stated in the standardized test block certificate). The error shall
not exceed ±0.5 HRC (determined by the certified mean hardness number of the standardized test block minus the
mean hardness number determined during the periodic check).

The results obtained from the periodic checks shall be recorded and should be analyzed using accepted Statistical
Process Control techniques, such as, but not limited to, X-bar (measurement averages) and R charts (measurement
ranges) and histograms.

10.6.13 Verification of Hardness—testing Machines and Indenters

Indirect verification of hardness testing machines shall be performed at least once every 12 months and after a direct
verification has been performed, in accordance with the procedures in ISO 6506-2 or ASTM E10 for Brinell hardness
test machines, or ISO 6508-2 or ASTM E18 for Rockwell hardness test machines.

The HRC standardized test blocks shall be within 20 to 55 HRC to confirm accuracy and linearity using a two-block
verification. The standardized test blocks used shall bracket the HRC range for acceptance testing. The standardized
test blocks shall have a maximum non-uniformity of 0.4 HRC (difference between the highest and lowest indentation
number stated in the standardized test block certificate). The error shall not exceed ±0.5 HRC (determined by the
certified mean hardness number of the standardized test block minus the mean hardness number determined during
the indirect verification).

The indenter should be directly verified at least every 24 months. HRC indenters shall be certified by the
manufacturer for performance error (deviation) with respect to a more accurate indenter (e.g. reference indenter with
less error) and standardized test blocks in the range being tested. HRC indenters shall have a maximum performance
error of ±0.4 HRC.
A calibration certificate (verification report) for the hardness tester shall be issued by an independent certifying
agency. The calibration agency that is used to conduct verifications of hardness testing machines and HRC indenters
should be accredited to the requirements of ISO 17025 (or an equivalent) by a recognized accrediting body that
operates to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011. As a minimum, the calibration certificate shall identify:

a) the reference standard (ISO 6506-2 or ASTM E10, or both; ISO 6508-2 or ASTM E18, or both)

b) method of verification (direct or indirect, or both)

c) means of verification (reference blocks, elastic proving devices, and so forth)

d) temperature

e) hardness scale(s) verified

f) date of the verification

g) standardized test blocks (mean hardness number, scale, serial number, manufacturer and non-uniformity)

h) results obtained

i) identification of the hardness test machine (manufacturer, model number and serial number)

j) serial number of indenter

k) certifying agency, and

l) name of their representative performing the verification

10.6.14 Retests—Grade L80

For Grade L80 products, if a through-wall hardness test specimen representing a lot fails to conform to the specified
requirements, the manufacturer may elect to make retests on two additional lengths from the same lot from the same
end as the original test specimen. If all the retests conform to the requirements, the lot shall be accepted except the
failed length. If one or more of the retest specimens fails to conform to the specified requirements, the manufacturer
may elect to test each of the remaining lengths in the lot or reject the lot.

10.6.15 Retests—Grades C90, T95, and C110 Products Except for Coupling Blanks, Pup Joints, or
Accessory Material Heat-treated after Cutting to Individual Lengths

For Grades C90 and T95, if any mean hardness number falls between 25.4 HRC and 27.0 HRC inclusive, three
additional indentations shall be made in the immediate area to determine a new mean hardness number. If the new
mean hardness number does not exceed 25.4 HRC, the piece shall be accepted. If the new mean hardness number
exceeds 25.4 HRC, the piece shall be rejected.

For Grade C110, if any mean hardness number falls between 29.0 HRC and 31.0 HRC inclusive, three additional
indentations shall be made in the immediate area to determine a new mean hardness number. If the new mean
hardness number does not exceed 29.0 HRC, the piece shall be accepted. If the new mean hardness number
exceeds 29.0 HRC, the piece shall be rejected.