Vickers Microhardness Test
1. Objective: To study the Vickers microhardness testing machine and perform the Vickers
microhardness test.
2. Introduction:
Very Hard materials (e.g. Mild steel, case hardened steel, etc,) can be tested by the Vickers’
method. If the moderately hard materials like Brass, Copper and Aluminium are tested in this
machine, the indenter makes a deep impression. Hence, a proper indentation cannot be made
on the specimen and correct value of the hardness cannot be obtained for these materials by V.
H. Test. VHN = Load Sloping or pyramidal area of the indentation This test is similar to the
Brinell hardness test similar relationship and eliminates most of the errors. The produced
impression is projected onto a focusing screen and the diagonals of the impression are
measured by means of the measuring equipment. Due to small impressions, it is very suitable
for testing polished and hardened material surfaces. This test is rapid and accurate. The required
load as calculated by P/D ratio is applied on the specimen for a standard time of 8- 10 seconds
and BHN is calculated by the ratio of load and the spherical area of indentation. The diameter
of the indentation is measured on the focusing screen of the machine.
• Hardness is the property of material which resist the plastic deformation against
scratching/indentation on the surface of workpiece.
• Hardness measurement is non-destructive test, that also provide useful information
about the strength of material.
• Higher the hardness of the material, the more it is difficult to make an indentation or
scratch.
Principle of hardness test:
The basic principle of hardness test is forcing an indenter into the sample surface, whose
hardness is to be measured. Then followed by measuring dimensions of the indentation (actual
surface area of the indentation).
Hardness number = Applied load / Actual surface area of the indentation
Suitable application:
• Vickers hardness test is used for hardness testing of all solid materials, including
metallic materials.
• It is suitable for a wide range of applications.
• It can also be used for a sub-group of hardness testing of welds.
Advantages:
• It can be used with all materials and from softer to harder hardness range.
• There is only one type of indenter, which can be used for all Vickers methods.
Disadvantages:
• The surface quality of the specimen must be good. Because the indent is measured
optically.
• In general, evaluation of the hardness value is laborious
Principle:
136°
2𝐹 𝑆𝑖𝑛( 2 )
𝐻𝑉 =
𝑑2
Where,
HV = the Vickers hardness number
F = the imposed load in kgf
d = Average diagonal of indenter in mm
Types of Hardness Test:
Sample preparation:
3. Procedure:
1. Take a well-polished flat sample. because the surface quality must be good enough to
allow correct optical
2. Place it under microscope and identify the place where to test hardness.
3. The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force.
4. The force is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 - 15 seconds.
5. When the dwell time is completed, the indenter is removed leaving a indent on the
surface of sample.
6. The size of the indent is determined optically by measuring two diagonals of the indent
using microscope.
7. Calculate indent diagonals (d1 & d2) using apparatus and get hardness results.
Precaution:
To avoid affecting the test result, care must be taken to ensure that the test is not disturbed by
any shock or vibration (i.e.- an anti-vibration table may be required).
4. Results and Analysis
Phases R1 R2 R3…. R6 Mean HV St. deviation
Base metal
HAZ
Cladded region
Micro-Vicker’s Hardness Measurement
Plots: Plot the variation of microhardness across different regions of the sample and comment
on the observed hardness values.
Homework
Question 1. Present the results about the hardness of base metal, HAZ zone & the cladded
region. Find the mean and slandered deviation.
Question 2. Plot diagram of mean Vicker’s hardness (HV) vs Region with error bar.
Question 3. Write conclusions and sources of error.
Question 4. Write the definition of Brinell, Rockwell and Knoop hardness tests with their two
advantages and two disadvantages. And also write their conversion formula to the Vicker’s
hardness number.
Question 5. Vickers hardness test was conducted on a material with an applied load of 10 kgf.
If the measured diagonal distances of the indentation made by the diamond indenter, d1 and d2
were 210 m and 227.5 m respectively. Calculate the Vickers hardness (HV) of the material.