__________ of test specimens is not involved in any hardness testing method.

ANS:A - Fracture

Fracture of test specimens is not involved in any hardness testing method. Hardness testing methods typically involve measuring the resistance of a material to indentation, wear, or scratching. These methods assess the material's ability to withstand localized deformation or damage under an applied load. Fracture, on the other hand, refers to the separation of a material into two or more pieces due to stress or force exceeding the material's strength. Therefore, fracture is not a parameter typically measured in hardness testing methods.