EXPERIMENT EL3-2 : VICKERS HARDNESS TEST

1.0

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this experiment,the student should be able to determine metal hardness

2.0
3.0

APPARATUS / EQUIPMENT
Vickers Hardness Tester (MV-1) & Specimen
SAFETY AND HEALTH
3.1 Make sure the student follows the laboratory or workshop safety regulator.
3.2 Experiment must be conducted by lectures or experienced lab assistance.
3.3 Always know the hazards associated with the materials that are being utilized in
3.4
3.5
3.6

the lab.
Always wear appropriate protective clothing.
Never perform unauthorized work,preparations or experiments.
Be familiar with the location of emergency equipment fire alarm , fire
extinguisher , emergency eye wash and safety shower.Know the appropriate

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emergency response procedures.

THEORY
The Vickers hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a diamond
indenter , in the form of a pyramid with a square base and an angle of 136 degrees
between opposite faces subjected to a load of 1 to 100 kgf.The full load normally
applied for 10 to 15 seconds.The two diagonals of the indentation left in the surface of
the material after removal of the load are measured using a microscope and their average
calculated.The area of the sloping surface of the indentation is calculated.The Vickers
hardness is the quotient obtained by dividing the kgf load by the square mm area of
indentation
The definition of Vickers hardness using the folloowing formula:

F=Load
S=surface area of indenter
d=average value of diagonal
=angle between indenter surface
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PROCEDURES
5.1 The light are adjusted to get a suitable visual brightness for the microscope.
5.2 The specimen being held into anvil and the load change over are set to suitable load.
5.3 The gap between specimen and the pyramid shaped diamond indenter are adjusted
about 0.5mm.
5.4 The eye lense are adjusted properly and the turret are turned until the diamond
Indenter touch specimen to get a clear images.
5.5 the switch are turned on from the control panel and the pyramid diamond indenter are
pressed into the surface of material. After the process finished,the indicator light will
switch off automatically.
5.6 The diagonal of the resulting indention is measured under microscope and the Vickers
hardness value are stated on the conversion table once the process is finished.

RESULTS /DATA

Load
0.05 kgf
0.1 kgf
0.2 kgf
0.3 kgf
0.5 kgf
1.0 kgf
2.0 kgf

Microscope reading

Vickers hardness

13.5m
19 m
26.5 m
31.5 m
40 m
56.5 m
79.5 m

no.
509
514
528
561
579
581
587