Micro Hardness Testing

Micro Hardness Testing

• Forcing a diamond indenter of specific geometry into

the surface of the test piece with a load (1 to 50,000
gf).
• Three type of test: i) Knoop ii) vicker iii)ultrasonic.
• IN knoop and vicker, size of resulting un-recovered
indentation by using a microscope.
• Measured change in the frequency of a vibrating
diamond-tipped rod (no microscope).
• All these testing methods produce an indentation
depth of less than 19 micron.
 Knoop indenter

Knoop indenter.
Highly polished,
rhombic-based
pyramidal diamond
that produces a
diamond shaped
indentation

Ratio between long and short diagonals of

about 7-1.The pyramid shape has an
angle, (longitudinal) 172-30, transverse
angle of 130-0.
 Vickers indenter
• Vicker indenter.
• Highly polished
• pointed square base
• pyramidal diamond
• with face angles of 136
Vicker Indenter
 Interesting information

• For same load the vicker indenter penetrates

about twice as far into the specimen as the
Knoop indenter.
• Therefore the vicker test is less sensitive to
minute differences in surface condition than
knoop test.
 Difference in Knoop and vicker
The basic differences are:
• i) diamond indenter shape ii) Load
• Knoop indenter. Highly polished, rhombic-based
pyramidal diamond that produces a diamond shaped
indentation.
• Ratio between long and short diagonals of about 7-1.The
pyramid shape has an angle, (longitudinal) 172-
30, transvers angle of 130-0.
• Vicker indenter. Highly polished pointed square base
pyramidal diamond with face angles of 136.
 Measuring the Indentation
A microscope in conjunction with the hardness tester
is used to determine the size of indentation. Proper
magnification is important for accurate
measurements. max---min
Indentation length (micron) Mag.( max---min) Less
then 76 measurement. 400
• 76-----------125 800---------300
• More then 125 600---------200
• The ends of indentation diagonals must be brought
into sharp focus.
 Testing equipment

• Tester vary primarily in load range capabilities. (micro-

hardness to mac-rohardness)
• Most of them accommodate either the knoopor or vicker
indenters.
• Application of load by dead weight or by weights and a lever.
• Load from 1-10 gf are directly applied to the top of the
indenter.
• Application.
• Research and development, micro-constituents, small
parts, foil and wire ,hardened parts.
 Specific Application
• Measuring hardness of too small work pieces.
• Measuring hardness close to edges
• Foil or wire too thin or too small
• Monitoring of carburising or nitriding
operations
• Hardness of individual constituents (micro)
• Measuring hardness of surface layers such as
plating etc.
Strength from Brinell Hardness
Steel:
Su = 3.45 HB (MPa)

Cast Iron:
Su = 5.35HB -500
(MPa)

Brass:
Su = 2.9HB + 50
(MPa)