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IS 1587:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for metallic materials - brinell hardness test. This standard specifies the method for determining the Brinell hardness of metallic materials. Engineers use this test to measure the material's resistance to permanent indentation, which correlates closely with its tensile strength, wear resistance, and ductility.
Specifies the method for conducting the Brinell hardness test on metallic materials.
! Ensure the test specimen surface is smooth, clean, and free from oxide scale to allow accurate measurement of the indentation diameter.
! Always select an F/D² ratio (force-diameter ratio) that yields an indentation diameter (d) between 0.24D and 0.6D for valid results.
! For materials with high hardness, tungsten carbide ball indenters (HBW) must be used instead of standard steel balls to prevent indenter deformation.
Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 1: Test method
Defines the method for the Brinell hardness test for metallic materials.
ASTM E10-18ASTM (US)
HighCurrent
Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
Covers the determination of the Brinell hardness of metallic materials.
EN ISO 6506-1:2014CEN (European Union)
HighCurrent
Metallic materials - Brinell hardness test - Part 1: Test method
European adoption of the ISO standard for Brinell hardness testing.
JIS Z 2243-1:2018JISC (Japan)
HighCurrent
Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test — Part 1: Test method
Japanese national standard which is technically identical to ISO 6506-1.
Key Differences
≠IS 1587:1993 has been withdrawn and superseded by IS 1500-1:2013, which is aligned with modern ISO standards. Current international standards like ISO 6506-1 and ASTM E10 are actively maintained.
≠Modern standards (ISO 6506-1, ASTM E10) have mandatory, detailed annexes and procedures for estimating the uncertainty of measurement, a topic not quantitatively addressed in IS 1587:1993.
≠Current international standards give strong preference to tungsten carbide ball indenters (HBW) for all materials. IS 1587:1993 allowed for both hardened steel (HBS) and tungsten carbide (HBW) with less stringent preference, reflecting the practice of its time.
≠Verification and calibration procedures for testing machines in modern standards are more rigorous and harmonized internationally (e.g., as specified in ISO 6506-2) than the requirements laid out in the older IS 1587:1993.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental principle of the test is identical: forcing a spherical indenter of a known diameter (D) under a specific load (F) into a material's surface and measuring the resulting indentation diameter (d).
≈The mathematical formula used to calculate the Brinell hardness number from the applied force and indentation geometry is the same across all standards.
≈All standards mandate similar requirements for the test surface preparation, requiring it to be smooth, flat, and free of oxide scale, foreign matter, and lubricants.
≈The method of measuring the indentation diameter, by taking the average of two readings at right angles, is a consistent requirement across both the Indian and international standards.
≈The principle of maintaining a constant force-to-diameter-squared ratio (F/D²) to ensure comparable results when changing test parameters is a core concept shared by all the standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Standard Dwell Time (Ferrous)
10 to 15 seconds
10 s to 15 s
ISO 6506-1:2014
Indenter Material
Hardened steel ball (HBS) or tungsten carbide ball (HBW)
Tungsten carbide ball (HBW) is the reference indenter. Steel balls (HBS) are only permitted for materials with hardness < 450 and by agreement.
ASTM E10-18
Standard F/D² Ratios
30, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25
30, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, 1 (wider range of standard ratios)
ISO 6506-1:2014
Minimum Specimen Thickness
At least 8 times the depth of indentation.
At least 8 times the depth of indentation.
ISO 6506-1:2014
Spacing of Indentations (Center to Center)
At least 3 times the mean indentation diameter (d).
At least 3 times 'd' for steel, nickel, and titanium alloys; At least 6 times 'd' for lead, tin and their alloys.
ASTM E10-18
Applicable Hardness Range for Steel Balls (HBS)
Up to 450
Generally limited to materials with a hardness less than 450 HBW. For hardness above 450 HBW, only tungsten carbide shall be used.
ISO 6506-1:2014
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum specimen thickness8 times the depth of indentation
Standard test force duration10 to 15 seconds
Minimum distance from edge2.5 times the mean diameter of indentation
Minimum distance between adjacent indentations3 times the mean diameter of indentation
Standard indenter diameters1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm
Acceptable indentation diameter range (d)0.24D to 0.60D (where D is indenter diameter)
Key Formulas
HBW = 0.102 * 2F / (π * D * (D - √(D² - d²))) — Brinell Hardness Number
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Test Forces and Ball Diameters for Different Force-Diameter Ratios