DIN EN ISO 6507-1:2024-01

Reliable determination of the Vickers hardness of metallic materials and coatings

DIN EN ISO 6507-1 specifies the test method for Vickers hardness testing. It describes how to perform Vickers hardness tests on metallic materials as well as on metallic and other inorganic coatings. The standard helps manufacturers, testing laboratories and quality assurance professionals determine hardness values reproducibly, comparably and in accordance with standards.

What is DIN EN ISO 6507-1 about?

The standard defines requirements for testing machines, indenters, specimen preparation and measurement methods for determining Vickers hardness. It applies to conventional Vickers hardness testing, low-force hardness testing and Vickers microhardness testing. It also specifies requirements for tests on curved surfaces, measurement uncertainty, periodic verification of testing machines and determination of the hardness of metallic and other inorganic coatings.

Topics covered

• Vickers hardness testing for metallic materials
• Low-force and microhardness testing
• Requirements for testing machines and indenters
• Test force ranges, measurement methods and hardness determination
• Preparation of and requirements for test specimens
• Tests on curved surfaces
• Measurement uncertainty and traceability of hardness measurements
• Periodic verification of hardness testing machines
• Determination of the hardness of metallic and other inorganic coatings

Practical relevance

Vickers hardness testing is one of the most important materials testing methods and is used in development, manufacturing and quality assurance. DIN EN ISO 6507-1 provides a uniform basis for the determination and comparability of hardness values and helps companies assess material properties reliably.

The requirements concerning test forces, calibration, measurement uncertainty and traceability are particularly relevant because they have a significant impact on the validity and comparability of hardness tests. By extending its scope to metallic and other inorganic coatings, the standard also supports modern applications in coating and surface technology.

Changes compared with DIN EN ISO 6507-1:2018-07 and DIN EN ISO 4516:2002-10

The 2024 edition has been technically revised and expanded. The most important changes include:

• Extension of the scope to metallic and other inorganic coatings
• Addition of the new section “Metallic and other inorganic coatings”
• Addition of requirements for test reports for tests on curved surfaces
• New Annex H with specific requirements for hardness testing of coatings
• Replacement of the previous DIN EN ISO 4516 by the new provisions for coating tests
• Updating of normative references and editorial revision

Target groups

• Materials testing professionals
• Quality managers and quality assurance professionals
• Testing and calibration laboratories
• Manufacturers of metallic materials and components
• Specialists in materials testing and materials engineering
• Companies in the coating and surface technology sector
• Research and development institutions

Conclusion

DIN EN ISO 6507-1 provides the basis for performing Vickers hardness testing in accordance with standards. By extending its scope to metallic and other inorganic coatings, it supports the reliable determination of hardness values in materials testing, quality assurance and coating technology, providing an important basis for comparable test results.

This document replaces DIN EN ISO 4516:2002-10 , DIN EN ISO 6507-1:2018-07 .