James E. Blair is marketing manager at Newage Testing Instruments Inc. (Southampton, PA). For more information, call (800) 806-3924 or www.hardnesstesters.com.
The long awaited ASTM E18-07 Rockwell Hardness Standard has been released. While it is technically similar to the older version, some changes affect both users and service providers.
Hardness testing is being strongly affected by manufacturing’s demands for increased hardness accuracy, reduced labor and rapid feedback. Two approaches have emerged for achieving these goals: the automation of each aspect of existing test methods and the application of depth of indentation measurement techniques.