Experiment No.

3
EXPERIMENT WITH VICKERS HARDNESS TESTER

I. I. OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand the principle, structure, and method of experiment of Vickers hardness testing
machine.
2. To determine the Vickers hardness number (HV) of selected non-ferrous metals.

II. MATERIAL:

Copper, Brass, Bronze

III. PROCEDURE:

1. Turn on the power switch.

2. Set a proper test load using the load control dial.
3. Select a proper load duration time using the timer knob.
4. Place the specimen on the anvil.
5. Elevate the specimen by turning the capstan approximately 1 mm between the tip of the diamond
indenter and the specimen.
6. Turn the turret until the objective is set on the front side.
7. Check the image using the microscope eyepiece.
8. Gradually elevate the specimen until it is focused.
9. Turn the turret until the indenter is set on the front side.
10. Press the start switch board for 1-2 seconds. Loading, load duration and unloading operations are
automatically performed and then the pilot lamp comes on once again.
11. Turn the turret and confirm the focused condition. Measure the lengths of diagonal lines in X and
Y directions to calculate a mean value.
12. Calculate the hardness number using the formula:

Where: P is the indentation load; and

d is the average length of the diagonal of the indentation

Result and Discussion:

Table 1. Measured width of the indentation

Diameter (mm)
Specimen Average (mm) Hv
d1 d2
Copper 0.736 0.745 0.7405 67.637
Brass 0. 574 0.568 0.571 113.753
Bronze 0.347 0.313 0.330 340.569

For Copper:

1.8544(20)
Hv = 2 = 67.6368368 ≈ 67.637
0.7405

For Brass:

1.8544(20)
Hv = 2 = 113.7525649 ≈ 113.753
0.571

For Bronze:

1.8544(20)
Hv = 2 = 340.5693297 ≈ 340.569
0.330

Vickers hardness testing, also known as microhardness testing, is mostly utilized for small
components and thin sections. An optical measurement system is used in the Vickers method. The
indenter is a diamond, and the indentation is measured and converted to a hardness rating. Indentation
with a diamond indenter measures a set of modest stresses and converts them into hardness
value. Besides being useful for analyzing a variety of materials, it can also be used for
determining the size of impressions made by test samples that have been polished adequately.

The Vickers hardness test has the advantage of being able to take exceptionally accurate results
and using only one type of indenter for all metals and surface treatments. The Vickers method can be used
to evaluate both soft and hard materials under different stresses. As shown on the table above, Vickers
hardness test was performed with 20 kgf and three different metal specimens. The full load was
applied for 5 seconds. A microscope is used to measure the two diagonals of the indentation left
in the material's surface when the load is removed, and the average is determined. The area of the
indentation's sloping surfaces is determined. The table above shows the results of Vickers
Hardness test on Copper, Brass, and Bronze. According to the three elements, Bronze received
the highest Hv, 340.569 Kgf, while Brass ranked at 113.753 Kgf, and the Copper ranked at last
with a lowest Hv of 67.673 Kgf. The data clearly shows that the average diameter plays a
significant role in hardness testing. Hardness results are positively affected when the average
diameter decreases. Finally, the average diameter and the Vicker's hardness test result are
inversely proportional.