ISO 2039-1-2001 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 2039-1:2001 — Plastics — Determination of hardness — Part 1: Ball indentation method. This international standard specifies a laboratory method for determining the ball‑indentation hardness of plastics and ebonite using a loaded ball indenter; results are intended for research, development, quality control and acceptance testing.

Abstract

This part of ISO 2039 describes a ball‑indentation test in which a specified steel ball is pressed into the surface of a conditioned plastic specimen under a defined load and dwell time. The depth (or calculated surface area) of the resulting impression is used to calculate a ball indentation hardness value which can be reported for material comparison, specification or quality control purposes.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: December 2001 (Edition 3, 2001‑12).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), technical committee ISO/TC 61/SC 2.
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 — Plastics.
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2001); an Approved Work Item to revise/replace this part is recorded as ISO/AWI 2039-1.
• Number of pages: 6 pages.

Scope

Applies to plastics and ebonite test specimens and specifies the apparatus, test specimen conditioning, test procedure (application of preload and test load, dwell times), measurement of indentation depth and the calculation of ball indentation hardness (load divided by indentation surface area). The method is intended for macro‑hardness ranges and for applications where ball‑indentation hardness data are useful for material comparison, R&D and quality control.

Key topics and requirements

• Use of a spherical (steel) ball indenter of specified diameter and geometry.
• Application of defined preloads and test loads with specified dwell times and measurement of residual indentation depth.
• Calculation of ball indentation hardness from applied load and computed impression surface area (or depth‑based formula specified in the standard).
• Specification of specimen conditioning and support to avoid edge, thickness or backing effects.
• Reporting requirements (test conditions, indenter details, loads, dwell times, specimen conditioning and measured values).

Typical use and users

Used by materials laboratories, plastics manufacturers, quality control and R&D groups, testing houses and standardization bodies to characterise the indentation hardness of thermoplastics, thermosets and hard rubbers (ebonite) for specification, comparison, acceptance testing and material development.

Related standards

ISO 2039 is a multi‑part series. Closely related documents include ISO 2039‑2 (Rockwell hardness method for plastics), ISO 868 / ASTM D2240 (Shore durometer methods) and other hardness/indentation standards for polymers and rubbers (for example ISO 7619 series for rubber). Laboratories commonly reference these standards together when selecting an appropriate hardness test and reporting comparable data.

Keywords

ball indentation, ball indentation hardness, plastics hardness, ebonite, ISO 2039-1, hardness testing, indentation depth, test loads, specimen conditioning, quality control.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2039-1:2001 is an ISO International Standard that defines the ball‑indentation method for measuring the indentation hardness of plastics and ebonite.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, test specimen preparation and conditioning, test procedure (preload/test load/dwell time), measurement of indentation and calculation/reporting of the ball indentation hardness value.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and polymer testing laboratories, plastics and rubber manufacturers, R&D teams, independent test houses and purchasers/specifiers who need standardized indentation hardness data for plastics.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2001 edition (Edition 3) is the published version; ISO records show it has been confirmed in periodic systematic reviews but an Approved Work Item (ISO/AWI 2039‑1) is registered to revise/replace this part, so users should check for any newly published revisions before assuming the 2001 text is the most current.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 2039 is a multi‑part series on determination of hardness of plastics. Part 1 is the ball indentation method and Part 2 covers Rockwell hardness; other related standards cover durometer (Shore) and indentation tests for rubber and polymers.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Ball indentation, indentation hardness, plastics, ebonite, ISO 2039, test loads, indentation depth, hardness calculation, specimen conditioning.