ASME SA194 Hardness Testing

[keithshaw]

For the last 25 years I have issued 3.1. certs showing hardness of ASME SA194 Nuts in EITHER Brinell, OR Rockwell B, OR Rockwell C. Suddenly I have a rejection from a French customer who has accepted my certs for all those years, stating that ASME requires hardness tests and results to be shown in ALL THREE systems. The grade in question is 8T. I suspect he has a new inspector who is interpreting the standard HIS way. OK, I could just convert from one to the other mathematically using the conversion charts, but he is suggesting that there should be 3 separate tests. Surely just one testing system is required, but where can I find this spelled out clearly so that I can convince my customer he is wrong.

 

[TVP]

I think you need to contact ASME and/or ASTM directly to discuss the legal requirements of this. At first I agreed with your assessment, but then I re-read the entirety of section 8, and the following section has made me reconsider the issue:

8.1.3.1 Each nut shall be tested by Brinell or Rockwell methods to ensure product conformance.

Why would this section state the requirement this way if it did not pertain to the others? It is somewhat disturbing to me that this standard may require a product to be hardness tested (and reported) using three different methods/scales. The ASTM staff contact should be able to assist in getting you the official interpretation. His contact information can be found here:

http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/COMMITTEE/A01.htm

 

[stanweld]

TVP,
8.1.3.1 is only applicable for Grades 2HM and 7M nuts per 8.1.3.

Kiethshaw,
Your Customer is in error. The requirements for testing are defined in 8.1.4. The hardness of the sample nuts must be within the hardness ranges define in Table 2. When using the Brinell test method, the acceptable range is 126 to 300 BHN. When using the Rockwell test method, the acceptable range is between 60 Rb to and including 32 Rc.

 

[metengr]

stanweld is correct.

 

[rmw]

metengr,

Can you say that in French?

rmw

 

[QAFitz]

Review these and determine which best suites your needs. Then, discuss one or both of these two items with your customer:

1) Since you have accepted certifications in the past without this requirement, I must report to the regulators that the items previously accepted are now suspect and that an investigation should be conducted to determine the extent of use by (your customer).

or

2) We will perform the testing if it gives us a competitive edge and you (your customer) will pay for it.