Microhars testing applied in areas including metallography, precision mechanics, electroplating, material testing and material science. In order to determine micro hardness, different shaped indents are pressed into flat material samples with a defined force. Three methods available are :
BRINELL HARDS
In Brinell hards test, an indentation hards test in which a hardmetal ball is forced into the surface of a test piece, mean diameter of the indentation is left on the surface after removal of the test force is measured.
The Brinell hards HBW is obtained by software.
VICKERS HARDS
The Vickers hards test, measure length of the diagonals of indentation left in the surface in which a Square-based diamond pyramid, having an angle of 136 degree between the opposite faces at the vertex, is forced. The Vickers hards is obtained by dividing the test force by the area of the sloping faces of the indentation. The Vickers hards HV is displayed by software.
KNOOP HARDS
The Knoop hards test is an indentation hards test in which a rhombic-based diamond pyramid, having an included longitudinal edge angle of 172.5 degree and an included transverse edge angle of 130 degree, is forced into the surface of a test piece. The length of the long diagonal of the indentation left in the surface after removal of the test force. The Knoop hards HK is calculated by software.