1、Designation: G 171 03 (Reapproved 2009)1Standard Test Method forScratch Hardness of Materials Using a Diamond Stylus1This standard is issued under the fixed designation G 171; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the yea
2、r of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTEDeleted erroneous reference in 8.4 editorially in May 2009.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers laboratory procedures for
3、 de-termining the scratch hardness of the surfaces of solid materi-als. Within certain limitations, as described in this guide, thistest method is applicable to metals, ceramics, polymers, andcoated surfaces. The scratch hardness test, as described herein,is not intended to be used as a means to det
4、ermine coatingadhesion, nor is it intended for use with other than specifichemispherically-tipped, conical styli.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard. No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-tions,
5、 and equipment. This standard does not purport toaddress all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with itsuse. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard toestablish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Re
6、ferenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2G40 Terminology Relating to Wear and ErosionG117 Guide for Calculating and Reporting Measures ofPrecision Using Data from Interlaboratory Wear or Ero-sion Tests3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms applicable to thisstandard see Terminology G40.3
7、.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 scratch hardness number, na quantity, expressed inunits of force per unit area, that characterizes the resistance ofa solid surface to penetration by a moving stylus of given tipradius under a constant normal force and speed; namely,HSP5kPw2whe
8、re:HSP= scratch hardness number,k = a geometrical constant,P = applied normal force, andw = scratch width.NOTE 1The constant k may be chosen to include conversion factorsfor expressing HSPin units of GPa. For HSPin GPa, P in grams-force, andw in m, k = 24.98.3.2.2 scratching force, nthe force that o
9、pposes relativemotion between a moving stylus and the surface that is beingscratched by that stylus, and which is perpendicular to thenormal force exerted by the stylus.3.2.3 stylus drag coeffcient, nin scratch testing, thedimensionless ratio of the scratching force to the normal forceapplied to the
10、 stylus; namely,Dsc5FscrPwhere:Dsc= stylus drag coefficient,Fscr= scratching force, andP = normal force.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This test involves producing a scratch in a solid surfaceby moving a diamond stylus of specified geometry along aspecified path under a constant normal force and with
11、aconstant speed. The average width of the scratch is measured,and that value is used to compute the scratch hardness numberin units of pressure.4.2 As an option, the scratching force may be measuredduring this test and used to compute a stylus drag coefficient,which is a dimensionless measure of the
12、 resistance of the testsurface to deformation by a tangentially-moving stylus.4.3 This test is usually conducted under unlubricated con-ditions and at room temperature; however, it is possible to1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G02 on Wearand Erosion and is the direct re
13、sponsibility of Subcommittee G02.30 on AbrasiveWear.Current edition approved May 1, 2009. Published May 2009. Originallyapproved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as G 17103.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at service
14、astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.conduct scratch hardness tests under lubricated and elevat
15、edtemperature conditions. The provisions of this standard allowtesting under both conditions provided that requirements forvalid scratch hardness testing are met and that the testingconditions are fully reported.4.4 Effects of moisture in the air and other ambient atmo-spheric conditions may affect
16、results depending on the sensi-tivity of the test material to the environment. If such effects areeither expected or observed during the course of testing,precautions to control the surrounding atmosphere and todocument the relative humidity level should be taken andreported.5. Significance and Use5
17、.1 This test method is intended to measure the resistance ofsolid surfaces to permanent deformation under the action of asingle point (stylus tip). It is a companion method to quasi-static hardness tests in which a stylus is pressed into a surfaceunder a certain normal load and the resultant depth o
18、r impres-sion size is used to compute a hardness number. Scratchhardness numbers, unlike quasi-static hardness numbers, in-volve a different combination of properties of the surfacebecause the indenter, in this case a diamond stylus, movestangentially along the surface. Therefore, the stress state u
19、nderthe scratching stylus differs from that produced under aquasi-static indenter. Scratch hardness numbers are in principlea more appropriate measure of the damage resistance of amaterial to surface damage processes like two-body abrasionthan are quasi-static hardness numbers.5.2 This test method i
20、s applicable to a wide range ofmaterials. These include metals, alloys, and some polymers.The main criteria are that the scratching process produces ameasurable scratch in the surface being tested without causingcatastrophic fracture, spallation, or extensive delamination ofsurface material. Severe
21、damage to the test surface, such thatthe scratch width is not clearly identifiable or that the edges ofthe scratch are chipped or distorted, invalidates the use of thistest method to determine a scratch hardness number. Since thedegree and type of surface damage in a material may vary withapplied lo
22、ad, the applicability of this test to certain classes ofmaterials may be limited by the maximum load at which validscratch width measurements can be made.5.3 The resistance of a material to abrasion by a single pointmay be affected by its sensitivity to the strain rate of thedeformation process. The
23、refore, this test is conducted underlow stylus traversing speeds. Use of a slow scratching speedalso minimizes the possible effects of frictional heating.5.4 This test uses measurements of the residual scratchwidth after the stylus has been removed to compute the scratchhardness number. Therefore, i
24、t reflects the permanent deforma-tion resulting from scratching and not the instantaneous state ofcombined elastic and plastic deformation of the surface.6. Apparatus6.1 General DescriptionThe apparatus consists of (1) therigid stylus mount and specimen holding fixture, (2) a means toapply a normal
25、force while traversing the stylus along thesurface at constant speed, and (3) a means to measure the widthof the scratch. Optionally, the apparatus can be equipped witha sensor to detect the magnitude of the scratching force.6.1.1 StylusThe stylus shall be conical of apex angle 1206 5, and the cone
26、shall terminate in a hemispherical tip of 200m (6 10 m) radius. The material of the tip shall be diamond.NOTE 2The smaller the tip radius, the higher the contact stress undera given normal force. If a tip radius other than that indicated here is used,results shall indicate that a modified version of
27、 the standard was used, andthe size of the tip radius shall be reported (see also 10.1.1).6.1.2 ApparatusA means to traverse the specimen underthe stylus, or the stylus across the specimen, under constantspeed and normal force, shall be provided. Fixtures shall besufficiently rigid to withstand the
28、normal, lateral, and tangentialforces associated with the scratching process without undueelastic or plastic deflection. The path of the stylus may be in astraight line or an arc, as produced using a rotating table-typedevice.6.1.3 Scratch Width Measurement SystemA means formeasuring the width of th
29、e scratch shall be provided. This canconsist of any imaging system that is capable of magnifying thescratch such that its width can be accurately determined. Themeasuring system shall be capable of measuring the width ofthe scratch to a precision of at least 2 %. For example, therequired resolution
30、for a measuring optical microscope neededfor an average 50 m-wide scratch shall be (0.02 3 50 m) =1.0 m or better. Reflecting-type, optical microscopes usingmonochromatic illumination or interference-contrast and hav-ing a measuring eyepiece are suitable for scratch measurement.Alternatively, photog
31、raphic or video images may be used aslong as the magnifications are properly calibrated.6.1.4 Scratching Force (Optional)A load cell or similarforce-sensing device can be used to measure the scratchingforces generated during sliding. This standard does not specifya method for measuring the scratchin
32、g force, only that thesensor shall be capable of being calibrated in the direction ofthe scratching force and in line with the contact point betweenthe stylus and surface.7. Calibration7.1 The parts of the apparatus that require calibration are (1)the normal force application system, (2) stylus trav
33、erse speed,and optionally (3) the scratching force sensor.7.2 Loading SystemThe normal force applied to the styluswhile it is traversing the surface shall be calibrated in such away that the normal force is known to within 1 %. Forexample, a normal force of 1 N shall be applied to within anaccuracy
34、of 6 0.01 N. The means to calibrate the scratch testershall be determined by its individual design; however, themethod of normal force calibration shall be stated in the report.NOTE 3One method to calibrate the normal force on the stylus is touse a quasi-static system such as a button-type load cell
35、 placed under thestylus tip in the position where the test specimen is located.7.3 Stylus Traverse SpeedThe speed of the stylus acrossthe surface s may be calibrated in any suitable manner such astiming the period t required to produce a scratch of length L.Thus:s 5Lt(1)G 171 03 (2009)127.4 Scratchi
36、ng Force Sensor (Optional)The scratchingforce sensor shall be calibrated periodically in the direction ofthe scratching force, and as closely as possible in line with thepoint of contact between the stylus and specimen. The intervalbetween calibrations shall be determined by the user to ensureaccura
37、te readings of scratching force and compensate for anyelectronic signal drift.8. Procedure8.1 Specimen PreparationThe test specimen shall beprepared in such a way as to represent the application ofinterest or polished to facilitate observation and measurementof scratch width. A surface may be unsuit
38、able for scratchtesting if its roughness or porosity is such that the edges of thescratch are indistinct or jagged, or if the stylus cannot traversethe surface without skipping along it or catching in a pocket. Ina polished condition, the surface should be as free as possiblefrom preparation artifac
39、ts such as grinding-induced cracks,gross grinding marks, and grain pull-out. Surface roughnessesof 0.02 to 0.05 m Ra(arithmetic average roughness) are typicalof polished surfaces. Surfaces may be scratch tested in theas-fabricated condition as long as the characteristics of thescratch do not display
40、 the types of artifacts described in thisparagraph.8.2 Specimen CleaningSince many different kinds ofmaterials can be scratch tested, one specific cleaning treatmentcannot be given. Specimens shall be cleaned in such a way thatthe surface is free from grit, grease, fingerprints, or othercontaminants
41、. Metals and alloys may be cleaned in non-polarsolvents. Plastics may require alternative cleaning with eye-glass cleaner or similar. If contact with solvents or cleanerscould result in changes to their properties, surfaces may betested as-received. The method of cleaning, if any, shall bedescribed
42、in the report.8.3 Inspection of the StylusInspect the stylus tip with amicroscope or other topographic inspection method to ensurethat there are no defects (cracks, chips), wear or adheringmaterial left from manufacturing or resulting from a previoustest. Wiping the stylus with a soft cloth moistene
43、d with acetoneor other cleaning solvent is usually suitable.NOTE 4Oily residues on the stylus can lubricate the surface, reducethe scratch width, and increase the apparent scratch hardness number.Chipped styli can increase the scratching force and produce striae thatextend along the entire bottom of
44、 the scratch.8.4 Normal ForceThe normal force shall be selected so asto produce a measurable groove in the surface, but it shall notbe so large as to cause fracture, spalling, delamination, or otherform of gross surface damage. A series of scratches at differentnormal forces may be used to assess th
45、e resistance of the testmaterial to increasing localized stresses.8.5 Stroke Length and ShapeThe stroke length shall be atleast 5 mm. Strokes need not be linear, but may be in the shapeof an arc, as in the case of turntable-type scratching apparatus.8.6 Scratching SpeedThe scratching speed shall be
46、con-stant along the measured portion of the scratch, and in therange of 0.2 to 5.0 mm s-1.8.7 Conducting the TestEnsure that the instrument isleveled and that the stylus is normal to the test surface whilescratching. Lower the stylus to apply the load on the specimensurface gently to avoid impact da
47、mage. Activate the traversingdrive to produce the scratch of desired length. Raise the stylusoff of the surface. Select another location at least 5 scratchwidths away from the previous scratch and produce anotherscratch parallel to the first. Repeat as necessary, but with aminimum of three (3) scrat
48、ches per value of the normal force.Measure the scratch width as described in 8.8.8.8 Scratch Width MeasurementUsing a measuring mi-croscope or other calibrated magnifying or surface profilingsystem, measure the width of each scratch at three locationsspaced approximately equally along the length of
49、the scratch.The width of the scratch shall be determined optically, asshown by the examples in Fig. 1. Owing to acceleration anddeceleration effects, scratch widths should not be measurednear the ends of the scratch.NOTE 5Other methods, such as surface profiling, may produce valuesdifferent from optical measurements. Therefore, to improve consistency,widths should be measured on enlarged images.8.8.1 Special Considerations in Optical ScratchMeasurementThe characteristics of the surfaces being tested,such as their roughness, color, degree of ligh
