ISO 28079:2009规定了用压痕法测量室温下硬质金属和金属陶瓷的Palmqvist韧性的方法。ISO 28079:2009适用于韧性测量，称为Palmqvist韧性，根据维氏硬度压痕角部产生的裂纹总长度计算，该韧性测量适用于金属结合碳化物和碳氮化物（通常称为硬质合金、金属陶瓷或硬质合金）。ISO 28079:2009中提出的测试程序旨在在环境温度下使用，但可通过协议将其扩展到更高或更低的温度。ISO 28079:2009中提出的试验程序也适用于正常的实验室空气环境。它们不适用于腐蚀性环境，如强酸或海水。

ISO 28079:2009 specifies a method for measuring the Palmqvist toughness of hardmetals and cermets at room temperature by an indentation method. ISO 28079:2009 applies to a measurement of toughness, called Palmqvist toughness, calculated from the total length of cracks emanating from the corners of a Vickers hardness indentation, and it is intended for use with metal-bonded carbides and carbonitrides (normally called hardmetals, cermets or cemented carbides). The test procedures proposed in ISO 28079:2009 are intended for use at ambient temperatures, but can be extended to higher or lower temperatures by agreement. The test procedures proposed in ISO 28079:2009 are also intended for use in a normal laboratory-air environment. They are not intended for use in corrosive environments, such as strong acids or seawater.