Microhardness & Macrohardness Testers (Vickers & Knoop)

MT90 Automatic Traverse Case Depth Micro-Harndess TesterC.A.M.S. (TM)  Computer Assisted Microhardness Testing System

MT90 Automatic Case Depth Hardness Traverse System
A Complete Case Depth in a Few Minutes.
MT90 Microhardness Traverse System provides the fastest possible case depth analysis using Rockwell-type depth measurement. Improve productivity ten times compared to standard methods. Reduced sample preparation and operator influence. Used by most major automotive and aerospace companies.
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C.A.M.S.TM Microhardness Tester Computer Add-on
Get a PC Upgrade Your Old or New Micro.
C.A.M.S. will retrofit almost all models of micro testers for less than buying new. CAMS provides reduced operator influence with automatic or manual on-screen measurement. It significantly improves productivity. Options available for total automation with manual or motorized X/Y tables and automatic focus.
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Shimadzu HMV2 Vickers or Knoop Micro-hardness TesterShimadzu HMV-M Vickers or Knoop Micro-hardness Tester Shimadzu Model HSV Macro Vickers Hardness Tester

SHIMADZU HMV-2 Advanced Vickers or Knoop Microhardness Tester
The HMV-2 uses touchpad screen controls, automatic turret, and automatic load change features for easier operation. Applies loads from 10g to 2kg.

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SHIMADZU HMV-M Basic Vickers or Knoop Microhardness Tester
The HMV-M uses an ingenious mechanical system to provide motor controlled loading. A simple, cost effective system for microhardness measurement.
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SHIMADZU HSV Macro Vickers Tester
The HSV system provides the capability of Vickers testing at macro loads for testing case hardened parts, welds, and a range of materials.

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Microhardness Tester Technical Information (Vickers & Knoop)

The Fundamentals of Microhardness Scale Testing

The Microhardness tester operation according to ASTM E-384 specifies a range of loads using a diamond indenter
to make an indentation which is measured and converted to a hardness value. It is very useful for testing
on a wide type of materials as long as test samples are carefully prepared. There are two types of indenters,
a square base pyramid shaped diamond for testing in a Vickers tester and a narrow rhombus shaped
indenter for a Knoop tester. Typically loads are very light, ranging from a few grams to one or several
kilograms, although "Macro" Vickers loads can range up to 30 kg or more. The Micro-hardness methods
are used to test on metals, ceramics, composites - almost any type of material.

Since the test indentation is very small, the Microhardness testing is useful for a variety of applications:
testing very thin materials like foils or measuring the surface of a part, small parts or small areas,
measuring individual microstructures, or measuring the depth of case hardening by sectioning a part
and making a series of indentations to describe a profile of the change in hardness. The Vickers
method is more commonly used. The Knoop method is commonly used when indentations are
closely spaced or testing is close to the edge of a specimen due to the narrow shape of the
indentation. The width of the Knoop indentation can provide more resolution for measurement and the
indentation is also less deep so it is useful for thinner materials.


Vickers indentation

 

There are a number of considerations in Microhardness testing. Sample preparation is usually
necessary in order to provide a specimen that can fit into the tester, make a sufficiently smooth
surface to permit a regular indentation shape and good measurement, and be held perpendicular to
the indenter. Usually the prepared samples are mounted in a plastic medium to facilitate the
preparation and testing. The indentations should be as large as possible to maximize the
measurement resolution. (Error is magnified as indentation sizes decrease) The test procedure is
subject to problems of operator influence on the test results.