Hardmetals - Palmqvist toughness test (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025)

This document specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at room temperature by an indentation method. This document is applicable to a measurement of toughness, called Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures specified in this document are applicable for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by agreement. The test procedures specified in this document are also applicable for use in a normal laboratory-air environment. This document is not applicable for use in corrosive environments, such as strong acids or seawater.

Hartmetalle - Palmqvist-Härteprüfung (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025)

Métaux-durs - Essai de ténacité de Palmqvist (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025)

Le présent document spécifie une méthode pour mesurer la ténacité de Palmqvist des métaux-durs et des cermets à température ambiante par une méthode d’empreinte. Le présent document est applicable au mesurage de la ténacité, dite ténacité de Palmqvist, calculée à partir de la longueur totale des fissures émanant des angles d’une empreinte de dureté Vickers, et il est destiné à être utilisé avec des carbures liés à des métaux et des carbonitrures (normalement appelés métaux-durs, cermets ou carbures cémentés). Les modes opératoires d’essai spécifiés dans le présent document sont applicables à des températures ambiantes, mais ils peuvent être étendus à des températures plus élevées ou plus basses après accord. Les modes opératoires d’essai spécifiés dans le présent document sont également applicables à une utilisation dans un environnement de laboratoire normal. Le présent document ne s’applique pas à une utilisation dans des environnements corrosifs, tels que les acides forts ou l’eau de mer.

Trdine - Palmqvistov preskus žilavosti (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025)

General Information

Status
Not Published
Public Enquiry End Date
29-Sep-2024
Technical Committee
I13 - Imaginarni 13
Current Stage
5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
Start Date
27-Oct-2025
Due Date
15-Dec-2025
Completion Date
28-Oct-2025

Overview

FprEN ISO 28079 - Hardmetals - Palmqvist toughness test (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025) - specifies a standardized indentation method to measure Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets. The test quantifies toughness by measuring the total length of cracks that emanate from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation. The method is intended primarily for metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (cemented carbides, cermets) at room temperature in a normal laboratory-air environment (not for corrosive environments). This third edition updates ISO 28079:2009 and aligns hardness references with the ISO 6507 series.

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Test scope and applicability
    • Measures Palmqvist toughness for hardmetals and cermets using Vickers indentations.
    • Intended for ambient laboratory conditions; extensions to other temperatures require agreement.
    • Not suitable for corrosive environments (e.g., strong acids, seawater).
  • Sample preparation
    • Requirements for test-piece size, sampling and meticulous surface preparation to minimise residual surface stresses that affect crack formation.
  • Apparatus and indentation
    • Use of calibrated Vickers hardness indenters and measurement equipment for indentation and crack-length determination.
  • Procedure and measurement
    • Controlled indentation procedure, crack-length measurement from four indentation corners, and validation criteria for test results.
  • Analysis and reporting
    • Calculation of Palmqvist toughness from measured crack lengths and concurrent Vickers hardness values.
    • Guidance on measurement uncertainty and required test report contents (including a pro forma report in an annex).
  • Quality and traceability
    • Clauses on test validity, measurement uncertainty and recommended reporting ensure reproducible, comparable results across laboratories.

Applications and who uses it

  • Industrial quality control - routine hardness and toughness checks during production of cemented carbides and cermets.
  • Materials selection and design - comparative screening of hardmetal grades for wear- or fracture-sensitive components.
  • R&D and failure analysis - correlating microstructure, hardness and crack resistance for new compositions or processes.
  • Testing laboratories and certification bodies - standardized method for interlaboratory comparisons and supplier declarations.
  • Typical users: metallurgists, powder-metallurgy engineers, materials testing laboratories, tooling manufacturers, and standards or compliance teams.

Related standards

  • ISO 6507-1 / ISO 6507-2 / ISO 6507-3 - Vickers hardness test methods (referenced for hardness measurement).
  • ISO 3252 terminology - definitions for hardmetals / cemented carbides / cermets.
  • Previous edition: ISO 28079:2009 (superseded by this edition).

Keywords: Palmqvist toughness, hardmetals, Vickers indentation, cermets, cemented carbides, ISO 28079, hardness testing, fracture toughness, materials testing.

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oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024

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Frequently Asked Questions

kSIST FprEN ISO 28079:2025 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Hardmetals - Palmqvist toughness test (ISO/FDIS 28079:2025)". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at room temperature by an indentation method. This document is applicable to a measurement of toughness, called Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures specified in this document are applicable for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by agreement. The test procedures specified in this document are also applicable for use in a normal laboratory-air environment. This document is not applicable for use in corrosive environments, such as strong acids or seawater.

This document specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at room temperature by an indentation method. This document is applicable to a measurement of toughness, called Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures specified in this document are applicable for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by agreement. The test procedures specified in this document are also applicable for use in a normal laboratory-air environment. This document is not applicable for use in corrosive environments, such as strong acids or seawater.

kSIST FprEN ISO 28079:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.040.10 - Mechanical testing of metals; 77.160 - Powder metallurgy. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

kSIST FprEN ISO 28079:2025 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
01-september-2024
Trdine - Palmqvistov preskus žilavosti (ISO/DIS 28079:2024)
Hardmetals - Palmqvist toughness test (ISO/DIS 28079:2024)
Hartmetalle - Palmqvist-Härteprüfung (ISO/DIS 28079:2024)
Métaux-durs - Essai de ténacité de Palmqvist (ISO/DIS 28079:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 28079
ICS:
77.040.10 Mehansko preskušanje kovin Mechanical testing of metals
77.160 Metalurgija prahov Powder metallurgy
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 28079
ISO/TC 119/SC 4
Hardmetals — Palmqvist toughness
Secretariat: DIN
test
Voting begins on:
Métaux durs — Méthode d'essai de dureté de Palmqvist
2024-07-08
Voting terminates on:
ICS: ISO ics
2024-09-30
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 28079
ISO/TC 119/SC 4
Hardmetals — Palmqvist
Secretariat: DIN
toughness test
Voting begins on:
Métaux durs — Méthode d'essai de dureté de Palmqvist
ICS: ISO ics Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
ii
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Test pieces and sample preparation . 2
4.1 Test piece size and sampling .2
4.2 Surface preparation .2
4.3 Surface condition .2
5 Apparatus . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Indentation .3
5.3 Indentation and crack measurement .3
6 Procedure and conditions of testing . 3
6.1 Indentations .3
6.2 Indentation and crack length measurement .3
6.3 Test validity .5
7 Analysis . . 5
7.1 Vickers hardness .5
7.2 Toughness .5
8 Measurement uncertainty . 6
9 Test report . 6
Annex A (informative) Report pro forma — Palmqvist toughness measurements on hardmetals . 7
Bibliography . 9

iii
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 119, Powder metallurgy, Subcommittee SC 4,
Sampling and testing methods for hardmetals.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 28079:2009), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— References on ISO 3878 replaced by ISO 6507-1, ISO 6507-2 and ISO 6507-3;
— Clause 3, Deletion of the symbol “H” for hardness;
nd
— Clause 4.1, 2 paragraph: last sentence deleted;
— Modification of the note in clause 4.1;
— Clause 4.2 “Surface preparation” created;
— Modification in clause 4.3 “surface condition”;
— Formula 1 modified, according to modifications in clause 3;
— Deletion of the note in clause 7.1.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
Introduction
Good test methods are those which enable a user or manufacturer to clearly discriminate between different
materials.
Fracture toughness values are required for three reasons:
a) for product design and performance assessment;
b) for selection of materials;
c) for quality control.
1)
A specific International Standard for the toughness of hardmetals has not been developed to date,
primarily because of the difficulty of introducing stable precracks into these tough but hard materials.
However, Palmqvist tests for toughness are widely used because of their perceived apparent simplicity.
Cracks are formed at the corners of Vickers hardness indentations and these can be used to calculate a
nominal surface toughness value. This value is sensitive to the method of measurement and to the method
of surface preparation of the sample. This document outlines good practice to minimize uncertainties due to
these issues.
There are several possible methods for the measurement of the fracture toughness of hardmetals. The
−3/2
results can be expressed either as a stress intensity factor, in MN·m , or as a fracture surface energy,
−2 −3/2 −3/2
in J·m . The range of values for typical WC/Co hardmetals is from 7 MN·m to 25 MN·m . There is a
general inverse trend of hardness against fracture toughness (see [1] and [2] in the Bibliography).
When applied unqualified to hardmetals, “toughness” can have several meanings.
−3/2
a) Plane-strain fracture toughness, K , in MN·m , is a value obtained from tests on specimens with
Ic
appropriate geometries for plane-strain conditions and containing a well-defined geometry of crack.
There is no standard method for hardmetals and different organizations use different test methods for
introducing the precrack.
b) Strain-energy release rate (or work of fracture), G, is an alternative expression for toughness, often
2 2
obtained by converting plane-strain toughness, K, to G [i.e. G = K /E(1 − ν ), where E is Young’s modulus
−2
and ν is Poisson's ratio]. G has units of J·m . Again, there is no standard method.
c) Palmqvist toughness, W, is a value obtained by measuring the total length of cracks emanating from the
four corners of a Vickers hardness indentation. For a given indentation load, the shorter the crack, the
tougher the hardmetal.
d) Finally, toughness is also widely used, in a loose sense, to describe the empirical relation between
perceived resistance to dynamic impacts. This is neither standardized nor quantified, but is clearly
important for many industrial applications of hard materials. Also, principally for hardmetals, it can
be more realistically assessed through either fatigue tests or high-rate strength tests, rather than a
conventional fracture toughness test.
There is a considerable body of published information on Palmqvist toughness tests for hardmetals (see [5]
to [29] in the Bibliography). Palmqvist toughness, W, is a toughness value obtained by measuring the crack
lengths at the corners of a Vickers indentation. It can be evaluated by making indentations either at a single
load, usually 30 kgf, or from the inverse of the slope of a plot of crack length against load for a range of applied
loads. For hardmetals, the crack depth profile is normally of the Palmqvist type, i.e. independent shallow
arcs emanating from each indentation corner. The measurement of surface crack length is, however, open
1) Terminology — There is a range of terms used for this type of material, especially including cemented carbides and/
or cermets, as well as hardmetals. The word “hardmetals” has been used in this document. It includes all hard materials
based on carbides that are bonded with a metal. In ISO 3252 terminology, “hardmetal” is stated to be “a sintered material
characterized by high strength and wear resistance, comprising carbides of refractory metals as the main component
together with a metallic binder phase”. “Cemented carbide” is synonymous with “hardmetal”. A “cermet” is defined as
“a sintered material containing at least one metallic phase and at least one non-metallic phase, generally of a ceramic
nature”.
v
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
to operator error. It is widely recognized that test surfaces are carefully prepared to remove the effects of
residual surface stresses (see [8] in the Bibliography). The test also has a poor fracture-mechanics pedigree
because of the uncertainties associated with residual stresses introduced by the indentation.
One advantage of the Palmqvist method is that parallel measurements are made of sample hardness, which
is required for quality-control purposes. The crack length, and thus toughness measurements, do not
therefore require much more effort and can yield equally useful material characterization data, provided
the measurements are obtained carefully in line with the methods proposed in this document.
This document is based on a “Good Practice Guide for the Measurement of Palmqvist Toughness” published
by the UK National Physical Laboratory in 1998. This document recommends good practice to minimize
levels of uncertainty in the measurement process. The procedure has been validated through underpinning
2)
technical work within the VAMAS framework (see [29] in the Bibliography). An interlaboratory exercise
was conducted to generate underpinning technical information on toughness tests for hardmetals.
More than ten industrial organizations participated, either by correspondence, supply of materials or by
conducting tests. Eight organizations were able to complete Palmqvist tests. Good statistics were obtained
on the Palmqvist data that enabled a quantitative assessment of uncertainties to be performed for this
relatively simple test. Single-edge precracked beam data was thought to be closest to the “true” value, and
the mean values from the Palmqvist test data compared reasonably well with these results. However, care
was needed in test piece preparation to ensure a good correlation between data from the Palmqvist tests
and the single-edge precracked beam results.
2) VAMAS, Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards, supports trade in high technology products through
international collaborative projects aimed at providing the technical basis for drafting codes of practice and specifications
for advanced materials. The scope of the collaboration embraces all agreed aspects of enabling science and technology,
i.e. databases, test methods, design methods, and materials technology, which are required as a precursor to the drafting
of standards for advanced materials. VAMAS activity emphasises collaboration on pre-standards measurement research,
intercomparison of test results, and consolidation of existing views on priorities for standardization action. Through this
activity, VAMAS fosters the development of internationally acceptable standards for advanced materials by the various
existing standards agencies.
vi
oSIST prEN ISO 28079:2024
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 28079:2024(en)
Hardmetals — Palmqvist toughness test
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at
room temperature by an indentation method. This document applies to a measurement of toughness, called
Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers
hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally
called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures proposed in this document are
intended for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by
agreement. Th
...

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