scope:

This document specifies a method of measuring the case hardening depth, surface hardening depth, nitriding hardness depth and total thickness of surface hardening depth obtained, e.g. thermal (flame and induction hardening, electron beam hardening, laser beam hardening, etc.) or thermochemical (carbonitriding, carburizing and hardening, hardening and nitriding, etc.) treatment.

NOTE Surface-hardened layer can be produced by mechanical method (shot blasting, shot peening, etc.). The depth of these layers is generally shallow. Measuring a profile of hardened depth may require lower test force of hardness test.