Statement of Requirements.docx

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

Precision Instrumented Hardness Test System

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Material Science and Engineering Division (MSED) develops new and improved models, test methods and standards to facilitate accurate measurement of the microstructural and mechanical properties of additive manufactured (AM) materials, such as high strength steel and high temperature alloys. The divisions research includes evaluating the behavior of AM materials under a wide range of conditions to determine system performance within and outside design limits and to generate and disseminate reliable thermodynamic and mechanical property data. The goal of this research is to develop measurement science methods and data that prove to be of significant value to industry.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide and install a tabletop, instrumented, indentation hardness tester to measure the mechanical properties of additive-manufactured materials in a relatively small sample volume. The instrument provided must be fully instrumented and provided exceptional resolution of the force-displacement data during the indentation test.

III. SPECIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall provide one (1) Precision Instrumented Hardness Test System to determine mechanical properties, and an electronic operation manual. The unit must be fully compliant with ISO 14577-1, ASTM E2546 and ASTM E384 and meet at minimum the following technical requirements:

· Must generate a high-precision measurement of the local mechanical properties (derived from Vickers, Knoop, and Berkovich indentation data)

· Must provide graphical representations of the measurement data including the depth of the indentation versus the applied force, and hardness versus depth. The measurement data shall be exportable in a standard data format (e.g., ascii, xml or JASON).

The hardness indenter must meet the following:

· Independent load and displacement sensors.

· Automated measurement stage that is capable of identifying the indentation location and executing either a single indentation or a matrix of multiple indentations;

· Fully programmable X/Y-stage with minimum of 100 mm x 50 mm travel;

· X/Y-stage with direction-independent repeatability ≤ 1 μm;

· Motorized z-axis;

· Optical or video microscope with multiple objective lens capability;

· Full support for and interchangeability of Vickers, Knoop and Berkovich indenters;

· Control software that enables the determination of hardness using the Knoop and Vickers micro-indention test cycles (ASTM E384)

· Raw measurement data export capability (e.g., ascii, xml or JASON);

· Modular design to add additional features and capabilities at a later time.

· e.g., heating stage, cooling stage, high-precision stage, additional objective lenses

3.1.2 Performance Specifications

· Automatic/dynamic indenter shape correction for hardness (HM and HV) and elastic modulus;

· A minimum applied force < 50 mN and a maximum applied force ≥10 N;

· A measurable force resolution ≤ 2 nN and a displacement resolution ≤ 0.05 nm;

· Load noise floor ≤ 50 µN (rms);

· Depth noise floor ≤ 1nm (rms);

· Automated zero-point detection (no correction of indenter contact point required);

· Maximum penetration depth ≥ 500 µm;

· A physical mechanism to protect the indenter from unintended contact with specimen.

3.2 Government Provided Samples for Acceptance Testing

The Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) will provide two (2) specimens to demonstrate the performance of the instrumented hardness machine. One sample is a wrought nickel-based superalloy (Inconel 625), the other is an additively-manufactured martensitic stainless steel (SS17-4) in the as-built condition. Both samples have been metallographically polished to a colloidal silica finish (0.01 µm).

IV. DELIVERY/INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall deliver and install the instrument in Building 223, Room A-150, at NIST Gaithersburg, MD and shall be coordinated with the TPOC. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all components, set-up and hook-up of all components, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash. The Instrument will operate to manufacturer’s specifications upon installation. Upon installation, the Contractor shall provide a certificate of calibration for each parameter that influences the outcome of the hardness test.

V. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall include at minimum a one (1) year warranty on all parts, materials and labor for the equipment. The warranty shall commence upon successful acceptance testing.

VI. TRANINING

The Contractor shall schedule and facilitate training for up to three (3) NIST personnel. At minimum, training shall provide a demonstration of the system’s normal operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. Training shall be coordinated with the TPOC to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel. Training shall be completed on-site NIST campus and may commence immediately after installation and demonstration of specifications.

VII. DELIVERY

The Contractor shall deliver the instrument within 90 days of award.

VIII. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Installation, training, and acceptance shall be accomplished at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Normal duty hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the exception of Federal holidays.

IX. DELIVERABLES

X. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

Desired Output

Performance Standard Monitoring Method

XI. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with commercial installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and also is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. The Contractor shall provide the name and citizenship information of employees for on-site visits to the NIST TPOC/COR prior to arrival. The TPOC/COR will submit the name(s) and citizenship information to the NIST Office of Security in order for a given Contractor employee to enter the NIST campus. The Contractor employee is responsible for absences due to missing or expired identification and access documents. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID (which in most cases can be a valid driver's license), proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office.