ASTM E4-21
Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines

Standard No.

ASTM E4-21

Release Date

2021

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM E4-21

Scope

1.1 These practices cover procedures for the force calibration and verification, by means of force measurement standards, of tension or compression, or both, static or quasistatic testing machines (which may, or may not, have forceindicators). These practices are not intended to be complete purchase specifications for testing machines. 1.2 Testing machines may be verified by one of the three following methods or combination thereof. Each of the methods require a specific measurement uncertainty, displaying metrological traceability to The International System of Units (SI). 1.2.1 Use of standard weights, 1.2.2 Use of equal-arm balances and standard weights, or 1.2.3 Use of elastic force measurement standards. 1.3 The procedures of 1.2.1–1.2.3 apply to the calibration and verification of the force-measuring systems associated with the testing machine, including the force indicators such as a scale, dial, marked or unmarked recorder chart, digital display, etc. In all cases the buyer/owner/user must designate the force-measuring system(s) to be verified and included in the certificate and report of calibration and verification. 1.4 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inchpound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. 1.4.1 Other non-SI force units may be used with this standard such as the kilogram-force (kgf) which is often used with hardness testing machines 1.5 Forces indicated on displays/printouts of testing machine data systems—be they instantaneous, delayed, stored, or retransmitted—which are verified with provisions of 1.2.1, 1.2.2, or 1.2.3, and are within the specifications stated in Section 15, comply with Practices E4. 1.6 The requirements of these practices limit the major components of measurement uncertainty when calibrating testing machines. These Standard Practices do not require the allowable force measurement error to be reduced by the amount of the measurement uncertainty encountered during a calibration. As a result, a testing machine verified using these practices may produce a deviation from the true force greater than 61.0 % when the force measurement error is combined with the measurement uncertainty. 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM E4-21 Referenced Document

• ASTM E467 Standard Practice for Verification of Constant Amplitude Dynamic Forces in an Axial Fatigue Testing System
• ASTM E6 Standard Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
• ASTM E74 Standard Practices for Calibration and Verification for Force-Measuring Instruments

ASTM E4-21 history

• 2021 ASTM E4-21 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2020 ASTM E4-20 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2016 ASTM E4-16 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2015 ASTM E4-15 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2014 ASTM E4-14 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2013 ASTM E4-13 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2010 ASTM E4-10 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2009 ASTM E4-09a Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2009 ASTM E4-09 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2008 ASTM E4-08 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2007 ASTM E4-07 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2003 ASTM E4-03 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2002 ASTM E4-02 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 2001 ASTM E4-01 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 1999 ASTM E4-99 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
• 1979 ASTM E4-79 Standard Methods of Load Verification Of Testing Machines