Overview
EN ISO 2039-1:2003 (ISO 2039-1:2001) specifies the ball indentation method for determining the hardness of plastics and ebonite. The method uses a loaded, hardened steel ball indenter and measures the depth of impression under load to calculate a ball indentation hardness value. This standard is intended to provide reliable hardness data for research & development, quality control, and acceptance/rejection against specifications.
Keywords: EN ISO 2039-1:2003, ball indentation, plastics hardness, ball indentation hardness, plastic testing, hardness tester
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Hardness determination of plastics and ebonite using a loaded ball indenter.
- Indenter: Hardened, polished steel ball with diameter 5.0 ± 0.05 mm.
- Test loads: Selectable loads of 49.0 N, 132 N, 358 N, 961 N (tolerance ±1 %). An initial preload of 9.8 ± 0.1 N is applied.
- Depth measurement: Device range 0.4 mm with accuracy ±0.005 mm; depth is measured after 30 s under load.
- Target impression depth: Choose a test load yielding a corrected impression depth between 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm; limited extension (up to 20% by agreement) allowed for transition issues.
- Specimens: Smooth, flat specimens (example 20 mm × 20 mm), recommended thickness 4 mm. Thin specimens may be stacked, but results can differ.
- Apparatus stiffness: Frame deformation under maximum load must not exceed 0.05 mm along the load axis. Frame deformation is determined using a soft copper block and used to correct measured depths.
- Repetition and reporting: Perform ten valid tests (on one or more specimens), report load changes, range of results and test conditions.
- Conditioning: Test specimens must be conditioned per ISO 291 standard atmospheres.
Note: The standard defines how to compute the final ball indentation hardness from the reduced load and corrected impression dimensions - refer to the published standard for the exact calculation formulas.
Applications and users
- Materials engineers and R&D teams evaluating polymer formulations.
- Quality control and production laboratories performing acceptance testing.
- Product designers and specification authors requiring comparative hardness data.
- Independent testing labs and certification bodies.
- Manufacturers of hardness testing equipment seeking compliance and calibration guidance.
Practical uses include comparative material selection, monitoring ageing or heat-treatment effects on hardness, and contractual acceptance testing.
Related standards
- EN ISO 2039-2 / ISO 2039-2 - Plastics - Determination of hardness - Part 2: Rockwell hardness.
- ISO 291 - Plastics - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing.
- Adopted as EN ISO 2039-1:2003 by CEN (European Committee for Standardization).
For exact test procedures, calculation formulas and reporting requirements, consult the full EN ISO 2039-1:2003 / ISO 2039-1:2001 document.
