EN 1043 is a European standard series used for hardness testing on welded joints in metallic materials. It is commonly referenced when a fabrication, WPS/PQR program, or inspection plan calls for hardness mapping across weld metal, heat-affected zone (HAZ), and adjacent base metal.
Because EN 1043 is part-based and often cited alongside newer EN ISO hardness-testing documents, the exact part number and edition matter for test setup, load selection, indentation spacing, and reporting expectations. If you want help matching your weld hardness requirement to the right test approach and equipment, talk with our team.
EN 1043 — Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials (hardness testing)
In practice, EN 1043 is best understood as a series of destructive test procedures focused on hardness measurement on prepared cross-sections of welded joints.
The most frequently encountered parts are EN 1043-1 (hardness testing on arc welded joints) and EN 1043-2 (microhardness testing on welded joints). Many organizations now reference later EN ISO documents for the same workflows, so purchasers should confirm what the controlling specification or customer requires.
Quick Definition
EN 1043 specifies how to perform hardness testing on welded joints of metallic materials, including microhardness where needed to resolve steep hardness gradients in and around the weld and HAZ.
What This Standard Covers
EN 1043 addresses hardness measurement on welded joints using indentation hardness methods on a prepared section through the weld.
- Hardness testing on transverse sections of welds (typically across weld metal, HAZ, and base material)
- Microhardness testing (Vickers microhardness) for fine-scale hardness profiling where macro indentations are too large
- Specification of hardness indentation patterns and documentation of results as a hardness “map” across the joint
EN 1043 is focused on how hardness testing is performed and recorded. Acceptance criteria (pass/fail limits) are usually defined elsewhere (e.g., a welding procedure qualification requirement, product standard, code, or customer specification).
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Hardness testing is widely used to verify welding quality, heat input control, and post-weld heat treatment outcomes. It can also help identify brittle microstructures, unintended hardening/softening, or process variability across production welds.
From an equipment standpoint, EN 1043-style work is often less about the load frame and more about getting reliable indentation measurement on correctly prepared samples, with appropriate loads and optics for the indentation size you need to resolve.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
EN 1043 hardness testing is commonly applied to welded joints in metallic materials across many industries that require documented weld quality and repeatable procedures.
- Structural and pressure-containing fabrications where weld procedure qualification includes hardness checks
- Pipes, plates, and welded assemblies where the HAZ hardness profile is a key quality characteristic
- Production weld verification programs that require periodic hardness mapping on sectioned coupons
Because hardness response depends strongly on alloy, thickness, and heat treatment condition, the controlling specification typically defines where hardness must be measured and what limits apply.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical EN 1043-driven workflow centers on producing a clean, measurable cross-section and executing a repeatable indentation pattern.
Typical steps: Section the weld coupon, mount (as needed), grind and polish the cross-section, perform hardness indentations at specified locations/spacing, measure and record hardness values, and report results as a table and/or hardness map across the weld/HAZ/base metal.
Practical caution: Indentation quality and spacing depend heavily on surface finish and sample stability. Microhardness work is especially sensitive to polishing quality, vibration, and optical measurement capability.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
EN 1043 hardness testing typically points to metallographic sample preparation plus a suitable hardness tester (often Vickers), selected based on required indentation size and gradient resolution.
Common equipment: Precision abrasive cut-off saw (or sectioning system), mounting press/consumables (optional), grinding and polishing system, optical microscope or integrated hardness measurement optics, and a Vickers hardness tester capable of the required macro and/or micro loads.
Common accessories: Certified hardness reference blocks, fixturing to keep the weld cross-section flat and stable, and software for indentation patterning and reporting (hardness maps, location labels, and traceable results).
If you are specifying a new Vickers microhardness tester or upgrading your weld hardness workflow for repeatability and reporting, you can request a detailed quote based on your sample size range and required load/optics capability.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
EN 1043 is typically cited with a part number and publication year.
- EN 1043-1: Part 1 covering hardness testing on arc welded joints (often referenced in legacy documentation).
- EN 1043-2: Part 2 covering microhardness testing on welded joints (Vickers microhardness is commonly used for this purpose).
Revision sensitivity: Test loads, indentation patterns, and reporting details can vary by the cited part and edition. Purchase specifications and inspection plans should reference the exact designation used in your contract or customer requirement.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
EN 1043 is often encountered alongside newer EN ISO hardness-testing documents for welds, as well as the base hardness method standards used to define the indentation procedure.
- EN ISO 9015-1: Hardness test on arc welded joints (commonly cited as a replacement for EN 1043-1 in many systems).
- EN ISO 9015-2: Microhardness testing of welded joints (commonly cited as a replacement for EN 1043-2 in many systems).
- ISO 6507-1: Vickers hardness test method referenced for Vickers hardness execution in microhardness workflows.
When a drawing, ITP, or customer document calls out “EN 1043” without a part number, it is usually worth clarifying whether the intent is macro hardness mapping, microhardness profiling, or both.
Get help selecting equipment for EN 1043-style weld hardness testing
If you are aligning a weld hardness requirement to the right Vickers hardness tester range (macro vs micro), optics, and sample-prep setup, you can contact our team to scope a configuration that matches your weld geometry, material condition, and reporting needs.