Indentation Modulus, Indentation Work and Creep of Metals and Alloys at the Macro-Scale Level: Experimental Insights into the Use of a Primary Vickers Hardness Standard Machine

In this work, the experimental method and the calculation model for the determination of indentation moduli, indentation work, and indentation creep of metallic materials, by means of macroscale-level forces provided by a primary hardness standard machine at the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) at the at room temperature were described. Indentation moduli were accurately determined from measurements of indentation load, displacement, contact stiffness and hardness indentation imaging and from the slope of the indentation unloading curve by applying the Doerner-Nix linear model; indentation work, representing the mechanical work spent during the force application of the indentation procedure, was determined by calculating the areas under the loading–unloading indentation curve, through fitting experimental data with a polynomial law. Measurements were performed with a pyramidal indenter (Vickers test). The applied force was provided by a deadweight machine, and the related displacement was measured by a laser interferometric system. Applied forces and the occurring indentation depths were simultaneously measured: the resulting loading–unloading indentation curve was achieved. Illustrative tests were performed on metals and alloy samples. Discussion and comments on the suitability of the proposed method and analysis were reported.

Creation of a New European Metrology Network on Pollution Monitoring (POLMO)

Driven by a wide set of European regulations, strategies and action plans, to cope with and to minimize environmental pollution in Europe, the need for pollution monitoring especially on chemicals and radionuclides is constantly growing in importance as it supports the ambition of the European Union: “In 2050, we live well within the planet’s ecological limits”. This can be reached only on the basis of high-quality data on pollution monitoring as well as strong metrological cooperation between all relevant European partners and stakeholders. To foster this goal a strong, collaborative, multi-disciplinary, long-term and self-sustaining “European Metrology Network on pollution monitoring”, as a metrological reference infrastructure, needs to be generated and managed. Such a metrological network will be developed over the next years within the framework of an EMPIR network project called POLMO. POLMO will focus first on chemicals and radionuclides pollution in the different compartments of the environment (water, air, soil) but also will strive to expand its expertise to other areas such as light or noise pollution on longer terms. The detailed objectives of the POLMO network are: To become an international point of focus and create stronger connections for all the different stakeholder communities (active networks and associations, research centres, testing laboratories, manufacturers, industry, standardization bodies, regulators) with NMIs/DIs. This should allow new approaches to meet stakeholder requirements by developing multidisciplinary metrological research overpassing current regulatory principles. To maximize efficiency of NMIs/DIs activity and minimise resources (human, infrastructures, financial) as well as knowledge, data and best-practice transfers between NMIs/DIs and with the main EU organisations as well as stakeholders in the POLMO context. Demonstrate the role of metrology in the European research area. Moreover, to define the place and role of the metrology in the pollution monitoring chain of measurements and to demonstrate its added value and benefit. To maximize and accelerate dissemination of reliable metrology practices for pollution monitoring through mutually recognized and agreed approaches The goal of this poster is to describe how the POLMO Metrology Network will be implemented from mid 2022 in particular by the means of an EMPIR JNP (Joint Network Programme) in the framework of EURAMET (European Association of National Metrology Institutes). The project could support the need for harmonization and reliability of e-DNA measurements, as necessary to support their recognition, by organizing the development of missing metrological tools at European level

Research of metrological support in chemical analysis of organic substances

The article describes the main provisions, as well as the Standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of metrological support in the development of standard reference samples in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The overreaching objective of the work is the development and metrological research of the mass fraction of water in organic liquids using the 1 class accuracy burette with a one-way valve for titration. The preparation of titrating substances is described in the form of a solution of known concentration and devices for the potentiometric (volumetric) Karl Fischer’s titration method. The progress of work on determining the mass fraction of water in carbon is described in detail. The results of the determination of water in hydrocarbons are shown in tabular form. The determination of the stability of the test sample of the mass fraction of water is described in an organic liquid. The proposals for studying is given the possibility of using the developed samples and their certification as state standard samples.

O fragmentaryzacji srebra wczesnośredniowiecznego: na ile wiarygodne są dane metrologiczne? Przypadek skarbu z Mózgowa na Warmii (t.p.q. 1009)

For years, a discussion has been held about the circulation of silver in the early Middle Ages and the role played by fragments of coins and ornaments. This multi-faceted discussion has also revolved around the function of the smallest fragments. Metrological research has indicated certain regularities in the incidence of fragments of a specified weight depending on region and chronology. New data for this discussion was provided by a treasure trove originally discovered in 1868 in Mózgowo in Warmia. Only slightly more than 400 coins have survived from the items discovered in the 19th century; they are a part of a collection of the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum in Braunschweig. The place where the treasure was discovered was identified in 2010; more than 800 coins and fragments thereof were unearthed. In 2012, the area was examined as a site of excavation where subsequently over 370 specimens were discovered. The treasure trove must have been hidden sometime after 1009, most probably around 1015. The coins from the museum in Braunschweig are not suitable for metrological analysis because they were intentionally separated for a systematic collection. Following an analysis of the specimens discovered in 2010 and 2012, considerable discrepancies in weight frequencies were observed. It turns out that in the collection of objects excavated by professional metal detector operators, very small fragments of silver prevail. Before, they were rarely registered in early medieval treasures (fragments weighing more than 1 gram represent only 6.66%, pieces weighing less than 1 g represent 93.33%, fragments of up to 0.5 g represent 87.61%, while pieces weighing less than 0.1 g represent a whopping 55% of the entire collection).The differences in the weight of silver fragments in the specific parts of the treasure trove from Mózgowo shed new light on both the methodology of examining treasure troves and how representative the data used so far in statistical and metrological analyses are.

Measurement setup to characterize electrical standards

At the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) a measuring setup able to vary, accurately and in a selective way, the temperature, humidity and pressure to detect eventual hysteretic phenomena and to evaluate their effects on electrical standards as high precision standard resistors and Zener-diode based DC Voltage standards. Main element of the setup is a pressure-tight case housing the standards and acting the stresses due to the desired parameters. By means of pressure-tight-connectors, the standards under test are connected to the measuring instruments, while the climatic conditions are acquired through inner and external sensors. Humidity is controlled by means of two conditioning containers filled respectively with water and silica-gel, which regulate the air-moisture percentage the case in a range of 10-90%. A pumping system establishes the pressure in the case from 600 hPa to 1400 hPa. The characterization vs. humidity and pressure is made at constant temperature by means of a commercial air-bath acting from 15 and 45 ° C. Preliminary results have been obtained for pressure dependence of commercial 100 Ω resistors and of an INRIM-developed 10 V Zener-diode based DC Voltage standard.

Investigation on automated Multiple Decade Ratios precision Divider for Generation of low DC Voltages

At the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) an automatable precision DC voltage fixed-ratios divider allowing the division ratios of DC Voltages from 10:1 to 107:1. It can be quickly calibrated when necessary and involved in traceability transfer. Its resistors are selected bulk metal foils ones connected in series in four terminal configuration whose values are 90 kΩ, 9 kΩ, 900 Ω, 90 Ω, 9 Ω, 0.9 Ω, 90 mΩ and 10 mΩ. The main advantage of this divider is that it can be automatically calibrated with a calibrator and a digital multimeter. Its calibration starts from a10 V value. It takes advantage of the DMM linearity, in particular in the 10 V range that allows improving its calibration uncertainty. After calibration, it can be used to divide DC Voltages lower than 10 V. Preliminary evaluation of its calibration uncertainties and mid-term stabilities (a week) span respectively from 1.4×10-6 to 6.0×10-4 and from 2.4×10-7 to 4.5×10-4 for ratios from 10:1 to 107:1. This divider could be involved in the calibration of nanovoltmeters in a typical range from 10 V till down to 100 nV.