The presentation examines fundamental problems of widely-defined measurement that lie outside the representation concerns of measurement theory, in order to act as a starting point of a research agenda. It shows that measurement is applied in a wide range of diverse domains of domains of knowledge and enquiry for which a widesense definition of measurement is necessary. It examines philosophical objections to the application of measurement. It considers problems of measurand concept formation, It examines problems presented by widely-defined measurements requiring further study.

This communication will deal shortly with the objectives of IMEKO, the Instrumentation and Measurement Confederation, will inform on its structure, will highlight its imeko_proceedings and will present an overview on the activities of the 24 IMEKO Technical Committees.

One of the most important trends now is the application of nanoindentation for fundamental investigations of elementary mechanisms of mechanical deformation under very high pressure in the local contacted region. Representative examples are given. We have studied in detail the homogeneous generation of dislocations at room-temperature by nanoindentation in locally dislocations-free monocrystals. The discontinuity of load-penetration depth-curve referred to as Pop-in-effect is the result of the nucleation of the first dislocation loops and subsequent drastic plasticity response of the material by indentation due to multiplication processes. The mechanical stresses responsible for this process were calculated in the framework of elastic contact theory (Hertz, Sneddon). The measured critical stresses for loop nucleation are in good agreement with theory of dislocations within the isotropic approach. Corresponding dislocation loops were proved by means of microscopy imaging techniques (transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cathodoluminescence imaging (CL), and imaging of dislocation-etched surfaces.

The aim of this study is to determine Young’s modulus by means of measured indentation load, depth and elastic recovery displacement of an indenter during loading and unloading processes using a developed horizontal ultramicro hardness tester. In order to determine correctly Young’s modulus of materials in narrower and shallower area of nanometer or micrometer level, authors use very small ball indenters that are made by bearing ball of a diameter in 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. Several metal specimens [carbon steel, stainless steel, high tension brass and aluminum alloy] are used in test. Young’s moduli of metal specimens calculated on the ball indentation theory show good agreements with that of uniaxial compression test. As a result, effectiveness of evaluation method of determining Young’s modulus with a small ball indenter is confirmed.

The aim of this round robin test was to discover what needs to be done to achieve the worldwide unification of Rockwell hardness scales using diamond indenters (HRC, HRA, HRD, HR15N, HR30N and HR45N). These scales are the most commonly used and their unification is of high industrial importance. The current degree of unification at an international level was assessed by conducting a round robin test. Seventy four specially developed hardness test blocks were all calibrated by twelve laboratories in eleven countries and the results were compared. Test parameters were specified that were more precise than those required by the standards. The indenters used to make hardness measurements have a significant effect on the measured result. To separate these indenter effects, measurements were made using common indenters as well as the indenters normally used by the laboratories.