Aim: To determine the hardness of test pieces using Vicker’s Hardness test.

Principle:
The basic principle of Vicker’s Hardness test is to apply a load using the indenter
on the surface of the specimen. Measuring the area of indenter and converting it
into a Vicker’s hardness number. The smaller the area of indentation the harder
the substance.

Theory:
Vicker’s is made up of diamond in the form of square based pyramid with an
included angle of 136 degree between the opposite faces. Angle 136 degree is
selected because it corresponds to the most desirable ratio of indentation diameter
to ball diameter of 0.375. Loads are applied in the range of 1 to 120 kg. For case
hardened components 1 to 2.5 kg loads are suitable and for cast irons and cast
components higher loads are desirable.
CASE STUDY:
Introduction:
Vicker’s Hardness test is the micro hardness test. Microscopic method may be
used for laboratory determination of total case and effective case depths in the
hardened condition. Vicker’s test is suitable for variety of material as the load
applied is quite small as compared to other methods. This allows to test hardness
for number of small components. Various material like composites, ceramics and
epoxy can be test using Vicker’s Hardness test.
The continuous monitoring of the force and the depth of the indentation can
permit the determination of hardness and materials properties. The Diamond
indenter is an orthogonal pyramid with a square base and in an inner angle α=136º
between the opposite faces at the vertex.
We can calculate the Vickers Hardness using the following formula:

HV = 1854.4 P/d2

Where: P: the test load (gf)

d: the average diagonal length (µm)
The Vickers hardness value is calculated with the formula HV = 0.102·F/A,
where F is the applied force and A is the contact surface area A of the resultant
indentation after the indenter has been withdrawn. The area is computed from the
mean diagonal d of the indentation (d = mean average of the two measured
diagonals d1 and d2.

Procedure:
1. Polish surface of the test specimen 1/0, 2/0 polish paper to obtain parallel
surfaces.
2. Insert and fastened the indenter in the fixture of the machine.
3. Select suitable load with the help of push button.
4. Actuate switch of lamp which is used for projecting device.
5. Place the specimen on the machine table and rotate the hand wheel
clockwise until the surface of specimen is sharply displayed on focusing
the screen of measuring equipment.
6. Actuate loading with the help of front push button and do not release until
hand lever start moving in upward direction.
7. When hand lever moves to its extreme position release load by pushing
hand lever to its original position.
8. Measure diagonal length of indentation on test specimen.
9. Determine Vicker’s hardness number by given formula.
Experimental part

Among the applications concerning case depth determination carried out in the
metallurgical laboratory is the case depth of a pin in a diameter of 16 mm used in
conveyor belts at PPC / SA Open Cast Lignite Mines. From the metallurgical
analysis is concluded that the material structure is of perlite and ferrite.

The above picture depicts the plan view of the sample that has been prepared
using the metallographic preparation practices mounted in a cylindrical form in a
diameter of Ø 30 mm made of epoxy resin. It is obvious that after the etching
process has displayed a distinguished area which is the transition zone.

The above picture on the top in macro mode depicts brightly the transition zone
contrast which is similar to that of the sun’s corona phenomenon. Figure
represents the lower right part of the fig. 2 magnified to show the indentations
through the transition zone in detail. Apart from that it represents the length of
indentations towards to the core.
The ‘effective case’ depth at this point is determined by measurement of
microhardness at the distance from the surface to a designated hardness level.
By a further metallographic investigation to the distance from the surface to the
core it could be defined as ‘observed case depth’.
The pictures above have been obtained from the micro hardness tester camera.
The indentations presented are among the series of the test. The above picture on
the left depicts the 1st indentation of the indenter close to the edge of the test
piece. Fig. on the right is the 21st indentation to the core which is definitely larger
than the 1st and the largest. The size difference confirms the hardness by giving
the hardest to the surface.

Conclusion:
Using Vicker’s hardness test we came to know about the case hardness of
specimen. It was found that the area of indentation increased as we move from
edge to the core depicting more hardness at the edge as compared to the core.