MTT 3306/02

TESTING THE SURFACE HARDNESS OF

CERAMIC TILES BY VICKERS'
INDENTATION METHOD

Demonstrated by:
Mr. G G S B K Dharmarathna
Mr. W T Jayalath

Group 03 Members:
ENT/2018/2019/089
ENT/2018/2019/091
ENT/2018/2019/087
ENT/2018/2019/082 NAME :K.G.N.S.B. EKANAYAKA

ENT/2018/2019/074 REG. NO : ENT/2018/2019/026

ENT/2018/2019/085 INDEX : 0883

ENT/2018/2019/100 DATE OF CON : 19 /07/2023

ENT/2018/2019/020 DATE OF SUB :26/07/2023

OBJECTIVE

To determine the Vickers hardness of a ceramic tile using the Vickers hardness testing method.

To gain practical experience in hardness testing techniques and understand the mechanical

properties of ceramic materials.

INTRODUCTION

The Vickers hardness test is a widely used method to assess the hardness of materials, including
ceramics. Surface hardness is crucial for determining a material's ability to withstand scratches, cuts,
and various stresses, which directly impacts the durability of ceramic surfaces in practical applications
like tiled floors and walls. Understanding the hardness of ceramic tiles is essential for evaluating their
suitability for specific uses, such as flooring and structural applications. The Vickers hardness test
offers numerous advantages, including its ability to measure a wide range of materials with high
precision, making it ideal for quality control and material characterization. However, it's essential to
consider that the Vickers test is destructive, leaving a permanent indentation, so careful selection of
the ceramic tile section for testing is necessary to avoid compromising its usability. Overall, this
laboratory exercise aims to equip participants with the ability to determine the Vickers hardness of
ceramic tiles and interpret the results to assess their suitability for various applications.
THEORY

Hardness is a fundamental mechanical property that characterizes a material's resistance to indentation

or deformation. In the Vickers hardness test, a pyramidal-shaped diamond indenter is pressed into the
surface of the material, creating an indentation. The hardness value is determined by measuring the size
of the indentation.

The Vickers hardness test is based on the principle of measuring the diagonals of the indentation left by
the indenter. The test is performed using a machine that applies a controlled load to the indenter, which
is typically a square-based pyramid with a diamond tip.

The Vickers hardness (HV) is calculated using the following formula:

𝐹
HV = 1.8544 × 𝑑2

Where:

HV = The Vickers hardness value.

F = The applied load on the indenter.

d = The average of the two diagonals measured on the indentation.

The Vickers hardness value represents the material's resistance to indentation and is typically reported
in units of kilogram-force per square millimeter (kgf/mm2) or gigapascals (GPa).
MATERIALS AND APPARATES

Ceramic sample tiles

Vickers hardness testing machine

Microscope

Diamond indenter

Specimen holder

Grinding and polishing equipment (grinder, abrasive papers, polishing cloth, etc.)

Digital scale
METHOLOGY

The ceramic tile section was prepared by grinding it with coarse abrasive papers to eliminate any
surface irregularities and achieve a flat testing surface. Afterward, the polished surface was
meticulously cleaned using distilled water and a soft cloth to ensure the removal of any debris or
residues.

To ensure accurate testing, the Vickers hardness testing machine was thoroughly calibrated and
set up following the manufacturer's instructions. The polished ceramic tile section was then carefully
positioned on the specimen holder of the testing machine.

To establish the optimal test conditions, the testing parameters, including the load and dwell
time, were adjusted on the machine. For ceramic materials, a typical load range of 1 to 10 kg was used.
Precise positioning of the diamond indenter was crucial, as it was placed over the desired location on
the ceramic tile surface.

Once the test parameters were in place, the load was applied by activating the testing machine,
and the material was allowed to dwell for the specified time. Afterward, the load was removed, and a
close examination of the resulting indentation was conducted using the microscope attached to the
testing machine.

To obtain accurate hardness values, the diagonal lengths of the indentation were meticulously
measured using the microscope's measuring scale. Care was taken to ensure precise measurements for
each indentation on various locations of the ceramic tile, ensuring reliability.

The procedure was repeated for multiple indentations to gather comprehensive hardness data.
Finally, the Vickers hardness was accurately calculated using the appropriate formula based on the
measured indentation dimensions.
OBSERVATION SHEET

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
{2𝐹. }
2
HV = 2
applying 𝜃 =136º
𝑑

𝐹
HV = 1.8544 × 𝑑2

F=10 Kg

𝑑1 + 𝑑2 𝐹
d1 and d2 values 𝑑= HV = 1.8544 × 𝑑2
Attempts 2
0.281
1 0.1975 475.4871
0.114
0.157
2 0.1405 941.3197
0.124
0.455
3 0.3555 146.8250
0.256

 Total = 475.4871 + 941.3197 + 146.8250

=1563.6318

 AVG = 1563.6318 / 3

=521.2106

The Vickers hardness of the ceramic tile is HV( 10kg ) = 521.2106GPa

DISCUSSION

1. What is the purpose of the Vickers hardness test on the ceramic tile?

The main purpose of the Vickers hardness test of ceramic tiles is to help determine their durability
and suitability for various applications, assessing resistance to indentation and hardness.

2. Why is hardness an important mechanical property to measure in ceramic materials?

 Strength and Durability: Stiffness correlates the material's strength and resistance to
deformation by applied loads. Hard ceramics are stronger and more durable, making them
suitable for structural applications.

 Material Selection: In order to choose the best ceramic material for a certain application,
hardness must be measured. To ensure optimal performance, various ceramic kinds can be
selected depending on the needed amount of hardness.

 Machinability: The hardness of a ceramic material can be determined by whether it can be

easily machined or formed properly. Extremely hard ceramics can damage machines and
damage high setting tooling.

 Wear Resistance

 Quality Control

3. What factors could have influenced the hardness values, such as sample preparation or
testing conditions?

 Sample Size and Shape: The ceramic sample's size and shape can have an impact on the
hardness rating. Small or thin samples could show size-dependent effects, and irregular
forms might cause uneven stress distributions when indenting.

 Elastic/Plastic Deformation: Some materials exhibit elastic or plastic deformation during

hardness testing. But the amount of indentation and hardness affect the value

 Indentation size: The hardness reading can be impacted by the size and depth of the
indentation formed on the surface of the material.Surface roughness differences may have an
impact on smaller indentations resulting in less precise.

 Environmental: The result of the hardness test can be affected by environmental factor like
humidity and temperature particular for materials that are susceptible to temperature
changes.

 Strain Rate: The rate at which the load is delivered during dynamic hardness testing can
affect the hardness value. Hardness values may vary depending on the strain rate..
  Instrument Calibration: To provide precise and consistent measurements, hardness testing
equipment needs to be calibrated on a regular basis.

4. Did you encounter any challenges or variations in the results? If so, how were they
addressed or explained?
 Elastic Recovery: Some materials show elastic recovery once the force is released, where
the indentation partially rebounds. This may cause the values of hardness to be
underestimated. To lessen the impacts of elastic recovery during testing, certain procedures
can be used, such as retaining the load for a longer period of time.
 Instrument Calibration: To guarantee accurate and similar findings, regular calibration of
the hardness testing equipment and adherence to defined testing techniques are essential.
 Indentation Size Effect: The indentation size effect can cause the hardness value at very
small scales to differ from macroscopic values.
 Surface Preparation: Hardness measurements can be considerably impacted by sample
preparation and surface roughness. It is essential to ensure proper surface finishing and
cleaning

5. What conclusions can be drawn from the results of the Vickers hardness test on the ceramic
tile?

The ceramic tile's 521.2106 Vickers hardness test score demonstrates the material's high degree of
hardness and mechanical strength. This indicates that the ceramic material is incredibly strong,
resistant to bending and wear, and suited for applications requiring tough and long-lasting
surfaces. since of its high hardness rating, ceramic tile is a good choice for use in high-traffic
areas, commercial buildings, and industrial settings since it can withstand wear and tear from
heavy use. The tile's mechanical qualities will remain constant across its surface thanks to the
dependable hardness measurement's indication of consistent material quality and homogeneity.
Overall, the Vickers hardness test highlights the higher quality, dependability, and applicability of
ceramic tile.

6. What further investigations or experiments could be conducted to expand on the findings of

this study?
 Chemical Resistance
 Testing Impact Testing
 Wear and Abrasion Testing
 Fracture Toughness Testing
 Microstructural Analysis
 Water Absorption Testing
 Statistical Analysis
 Comparative Studies
CONCLOSION
The Vickers indentation method is a reliable and widely used technique to test the
surface hardness of ceramic tiles. By measuring the size of the indentation left by a
diamond indenter, this method provides valuable information about the hardness and
mechanical properties of the material. The Vickers hardness test offers several
advantages such as the ability to test small samples, high accuracy and suitability for a
wide range of materials including ceramic tiles. It is a non-destructive test, the tested
tiles can be used even after the test. The results obtained by Vickers's indentation can
aid in quality control and ensure that ceramic tiles meet the required hardness standards
for various applications, such as flooring and wall coverings. Additionally, the
obtained hardness data can be used for testing.
REFERENCES
1. ASM International. (1991). ASM Handbook Volume 8: Mechanical Testing and Evaluation. Materials
Park, OH: ASM International.
2. ASTM International. (2018). ASTM E384-18: Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of
Materials. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
3. Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2018). Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction (10th
ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
4. Dieter, G. E. (2017). Mechanical Metallurgy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
5. Katsumoto, K. (2013). Mechanical Properties of Ceramics (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
6. Shetty, D. K., & Tippabhotla, S. K. (2019). Hardness Testing and its Applications. In Advanced Topics
in Mechanical Behavior of Materials (pp. 93-119). Singapore: Springer