Quick Guide to Precision Hardness Testing Machines

Measuring Instruments

Methods of Hardness Measurement

(1) Vickers (2) Knoop
Vickers hardness is a test method that has the widest application range, As shown in the following formula, Knoop hardness is a value obtained
allowing hardness inspection with an arbitrary test force. This test has by dividing test force by the projected area A (mm2) of an indentation,
an extremely large number of application fields particularly for hardness which is calculated from the longer diagonal length d (mm) of the
tests conducted with a test force less than 9.807 N (1 kgf). As shown indentation formed by pressing a rhomboidal diamond indenter (oppo-
in the following formula, Vickers hardness is a value determined by sing edge angles of 172˚30' and 130˚) into a specimen with test force F
dividing test force F (N) by contact area S (mm2) between a specimen applied. Knoop hardness can also be measured by replacing the Vickers
and an indenter, which is calculated from diagonal length d (mm, mean indenter of a microhardness testing machine with a Knoop indenter.
of two directional lengths) of an indentation formed by the indenter
F F F F F: N
(a square pyramidal diamond , opposing face angle θ=136˚) in the HK=k =0.102 =0.102 2 =1.451 2 d: mm
specimen using a test force F (N). k is a constant (1/g =1/9.80665). A A cd d c: Constant

F F
HV=k =0.102 =0.102 2Fsin 2 F
=0.1891 2
q
F: N (3) Rockwell and Rockwell Superficial
S S d2 d d: mm
To measure Rockwell or Rockwell Superficial hardness, first apply a
preload force and then the test force to a specimen and return to the
The error in the calculated Vickers hardness is given by the following preload force using a diamond indenter (tip cone angle: 120˚, tip radius:
formula. Here, Dd1, Dd2, and ‘a’ represent the measurement error that 0.2 mm) or a sphere indenter (steel ball or carbide ball). This hardness
is due to the microscope, an error in reading an indentation, and the value is obtained from the hardness formula expressed by the difference
length of an edge line generated by opposing faces of an indenter tip, in indentation depth h (µm) between the preload and test forces.
respectively. The unit of Dq is degrees. Rockwell uses a preload force of 98.07 N, and Rockwell Superficial
29.42 N. A specific symbol provided in combination with a type of
DHV DF Dd1 Dd2 a2
-2 -2 - 2 3.5×10 -3Dq indenter, test force, and hardness formula is known as a scale. Japanese
HV F d d d
Industrial Standards (JIS) define various scales of related hardness.

Relationship between Vickers Hardness and the Relationship between Rockwell/Rockwell Superficial
Minimum Allowable Thickness of a Specimen Hardness and the Minimum Thickness of a Specimen
Hardness symbol Test force
F: N 1.8 3.3 1.4
HV0.0005 4.903×10 -3 1.7 3.15
Minimum thickness of specimen (mm)

Minimum thickness of specimen (mm)

Minimum thickness of specimen (mm)

1.6 3 1.2
Minimum thickness Diagonal length 0.001 9.807×10 -3 1.5 2.85
of specimen of indentation 1.4 1.0
0.002 1.3 2.7
t: mm d: mm 19.61×10 -3
1.2 2.55 0.8
0.001 0.003 29.42×10 -3 1.1 2.4
0.001 0.005 49.03×10 -3 1.0 2.25 0.6
0.002 0.9 2.1
d Vickers hardness 0.003 0.002 0.01 98.07×10 -3 0.8 1.95 0.4
HV 0.003 0.7
0.005 0.02 0.1961 0.6 1.8
0.2
2000 0.005 0.03 0.2942 0.5 1.65
0.01 0.4 1.5 0
1000 0.01 0.05 0.4903 0.3 1.35 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
h

0.02
t

0.2 1.2
500 0.03 0.02 0.1 0.9807 0.1 1.05
300 0.05 0.03 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
0.2 1.961 0.9
F 200 0.05 0.3 2.942 0.75
HV=0.1891 2 0.1 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
t>1.5d d 0.1 0.5 4.903
100
h≒ d/7 0.2
50 0.3 0.2 1 9.807
t : Thickness of specimen (mm) 0.3
30 0.5 2 19.61
d: Diagonal length (mm) 20 0.5 3 29.42 Rockwell hardness
h: Depth of indentation (mm) 1
1 5 49.03
[Example] 2 Rockwell Superficial hardness
Specimen thickness t: 0.15 mm 3 2 10 98.07
Specimen hardness: 185 HV1 20 196.1
Test force F: 9.807 N (1 kgf) 30 294.2 Rockwell hardness
Diagonal length d: 0.1 mm 50 490.3

M
Rockwell Hardness Scales Rockwell Superficial Hardness Scales
Scale Indenter Test force Application Scale Indenter Test force Application
A 588.4 N Carbide, sheet steel 15-N 147.1 N
Thin surface-hardened layer on steel such
D Diamond 980.7 N Case-hardened steel 30-N Diamond 294.2 N
Steel (100 HRB or more to 70 HRC or less) as carburized or nitrided
C 1471 N 45-N 441.3 N
F Sphere of 588.4 N Bearing metal, annealed copper 15-T Sphere of 147.1 N
B 1.5875 mm 980.7 N Brass 30-T 1.5875 mm 294.2 N Sheet of mild steel, brass, bronze, etc.
G diameter 1471 N Hard aluminum alloy, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze 45-T diameter 441.3 N
H Sphere of 588.4 N Bearing metal, grinding wheel 15-W Sphere of 147.1 N
E 3.175 mm 980.7 N Bearing metal 30-W 3.175 mm 294.2 N Plastic, zinc, bearing alloy
K diameter 1471 N Bearing metal 45-W diameter 441.3 N
L Sphere of 588.4 N 15-X Sphere of 147.1 N
M 6.35 mm 980.7 N Plastic, lead 30-X 6.35 mm 294.2 N Plastic, zinc, bearing alloy
P diameter 1471 N 45-X diameter 441.3 N
R Sphere of 588.4 N 15-Y Sphere of 147.1 N
S 12.7 mm 980.7 N Plastic, lead 30-Y 12.7 mm 294.2 N Plastic, zinc, bearing alloy
V diameter 1471 N 45-Y diameter 441.3 N

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