Buehler Obtains ISO Certification for Vickers and Knoop Reference Hardness Testing Blocks

LAKE BLUFF, IL — The Buehler Wilson Reference Block Laboratory in Binghamton, NY achieved accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 by A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) for Rockwell, Knoop, Vickers and Brinell hardness test blocks and indenters.

A2LA is in full conformance with the standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC), including ISO/IEC 17025. Buehler markets the reference blocks along with the Wilson hardness testers and DiaMet software globally.

Process of Calibration

The testers used in the calibration process undergo a stringent monitoring process using NIST traceable devices and Buehler conducts 100% inspection to ensure that every single test block meets the physical requirements of ASTM (thickness, flatness, parallelism, surface roughness and magnetism). The laboratory then uses specialized hardness testers to calibrate blocks according to Rockwell, Vickers and Brinell scales which comply to ASTM and ISO standards for calibrating test blocks.

According, to Matthias Pascher, Hardness Product Manager, “The hardness readings are taken and statistics calculated according to the applicable standards. Each test block will get its own certificate, thus achieving full traceability. In addition to in-house daily verifications, standards also require indirect verifications to be completed periodically by an accredited third-party. After the indent certification, the blocks are engraved with a laser engraver to add a grid (if applicable) and the hardness value with tolerance according to the standards. All hardness test blocks ship with ASTM and ISO certificates. Buehler is the only global supplier in the metallographic solution market that produces and calibrates hardness reference blocks.”

For more information, visit buehler.com.

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