SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 17 April 2019
STP160720170240

Using the Control Chart Approach to Evaluate Hardness Tester Performance

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The control chart data analysis approach is an ideal method to evaluate the quality of test data using a specific tester, such as a microindentation hardness tester, over a period of usage time with the same certified test block and indenter. The method described in ASTM E2554, Standard Practice for Estimating and Monitoring the Uncertainty of Test Results of a Test Method Using Control Chart Techniques, was used for this work. This analysis is done by plotting a means and a standard deviation control chart of the weekly or periodic verification data obtained with a certified hardness test block at a specific test force and a specific hardness level. The method is first illustrated using a Knoop hardness test block certified at a test force of 500 gf and with a long diagonal length of 116.18 μm (527.1 HK). From this data, one can easily calculate the uncertainty of the measurements. The second example is for a 300-gf Knoop test block with a certified long diagonal length of 154.5 μm (178.8 HK). Different problems were encountered during the use of each test block, which are readily detected using the control chart method plots.

Author Information

Vander Voort, George, F.
Vander Voort Consulting L.L.C., Wadsworth, IL, US
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Details
Developed by Committee: E04
Pages: 74–83
DOI: 10.1520/STP160720170240
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7660-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7659-1