What is Vickers hardness?

Axiotek inform #4

The Vickers hardness test is one of the static mechanical tests that can be used to measure the hardness of materials.

In specific, the force used for the indentation of the material is determined, followed by the optical measurement of the size of the indentation.

This means that it is the optical acquisition of the indentation size generated by the indenter, together with the value of the load force, that determines the hardness value.

The range of hardnesses applicable in this case is very wide. For the purpose of convenience, we speak of two “families”, separate from each other:

Vickers micro hardness “family”: range of forces between 0.009807 N (1gf) and 0.9807 N (100gf), according to ISO 6507-1;

Vickers macro hardness “family”: force is greater than 0.9807N (100gf and up), according to ISO 6507-1.

However, there are variables that must be considered when choosing which load forces to use, including:

the thickness and the sizes of the test sample;

the size of the area to be measured.

We recommend identifying the best procedure based on specific personal needs with the help of the ISO 6507-1, ASTM E92 and ASTM E384 standards (the latter in the case of Vickers micro hardness).

Click on "more information" to read the full article and find out how Vickers hardness works and how to use it!