ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 6

A Better Way to Present Results from a Least-Squares Fit to Experimental Data: An Example from Microhardness Testing

Sargent, PM
Materials Group, Cambridge University Engineering Department, Cambridge,

Abstract

Fitting a straight line to data using the least-squares method is very often the method of choice when presenting experimental results. When there are a number of sets of data, each with its fitted line, it can be difficult at first to appreciate the meaning of the results. Also, parameters calculated from least-squares fits are often quoted without estimates of accuracy, even when the original data contain considerable scatter.

A method is described here that aids the assimilation of a number of least-squares fits and takes full account of estimates of accuracy.

Keywords:
microhardness, microindentation, size effect, ISE index, hardness, indentation, error ellipsoids, ceramics plasticity

Paper ID: JTE10330J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE10330J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.