APT�, E384 22

C!1ttW -

3. Terminology 3 . 3 Formulae-The formulae presented i n 3 . 3 . l 3.3.4 for -

3. 1 Definitions-For definitions of terms used in this test calculating microindentation hardness are based upon an ideal
method, see Terminology E7. tester and conditions. The measured value of the microinden­
tation hardness of a material is subjected to several sources of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: errors. Based on Eq 1 -9, variations in the applied force,
3.2. 1 calibrating, v-determining the values of the signifi­ geometrical variations between diamond indenters, and human
cant parameters by comparison with values indicated by a errors in measuring indentation lengths will affect the precision
reference instrument or by a set of reference standards. of the calculated material hardness. The magnitude of the error
3.2.2 Knoop hardness number, HK, n-an expression of that variations of each of these parameters have on the
hardness obtained by dividing the force applied to the Knoop calculated value of a microindentation measurement is dis­
indenter by the projected area of the permanent impression cussed in Section 1 0.
made by the indenter. 3.3 . 1 For Knoop hardness tests, in practice, test loads are in
3.2.3 Knoop indenter, n-a rhombic-based pyramidal­ grams-force and indentation diagonals are in micrometers. The
shaped diamond indenter with edge angles of L A= 1 72° 30' Knoop hardness number is calculated using the following:
and L B 1 30° O' (see Fig. 1 ) .
=
HK= l .000 x 1 03 x (PIA P) = l .000 X 103 X Pl(cP x c/2) ll)
3.2.4 microindentation hardness test, n-a hardness test
or
using a calibrated machine to force a diamond indenter of
specific geometry into the surface of the material being HK= 1 4229 X P/c/2 l2)

evaluated, in which the test forces range from l to 1 000 gf (9.8 LB

3 tan2
x 1 0- to 9.8 N), and the indentation diagonal, or diagonals, are
(3)
---

measured with a light microscope after load removal; for any

cp =

LA
2tan2
microindentation hardness test, it is assumed that the indenta­
tion does not undergo elastic recovery after force removal.
where:
NOTE 2-Use of the term microhardness should be avoided because it p force, gf,
implies that the hardness, rather than the force or the indentation size, is
d length of long diagonal, µm,
very low.
A
P
projected area of indentation, µm 2
3.2.5 verifying, v-checking or testing the instrument to LA included longitudinal edge angle, 1 72° 30'
assure conformance with the specification. LB included transverse edge angle, 1 30° O' (see Fig. l
3.2.6 Vickers hardness number, HV, n-an expression of and,
hardness obtained by dividing the force applied to a Vickers indenter constant relating projected area of the inden­
indenter by the surface area of the permanent impression made tation to the square of the length of the long diagonal,
by the indenter. ideally 0.07028.
3.2.7 Vickers indenter, n-a square-based pyramidal-shaped 3.3.2 The Knoop hardness, kgf/mm2 is determined as fol-
diamond indenter with face angles of 1 36° (see Fig. 2) . lows:

1.0 µm max.

FIG. 1 Knoop Indenter

2
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