Kõvadusväärtus

Kõvadusväärtus refers to a measurement of a material's resistance to permanent deformation, typically indentation or scratching. This property is crucial in material science and engineering for selecting appropriate materials for various applications. Different hardness scales exist, each employing specific testing methods and indenters, resulting in varying numerical values for the same material. Common scales include Mohs, Brinell, Rockwell, and Vickers.

The Mohs scale, primarily used for minerals, ranks materials based on their ability to scratch one another, with diamond being the hardest. The Brinell hardness test involves pressing a hardened steel or tungsten carbide ball into the material's surface under a specific load and measuring the diameter of the indentation. Rockwell hardness testing utilizes different indenters (balls or cones) and loads, measuring the depth of indentation. The Vickers hardness test employs a diamond pyramid indenter and is suitable for a wide range of materials, including thin films and very hard substances.

The kõvadusväärtus is influenced by factors such as the material's composition, microstructure, and heat treatment. It is an important indicator of wear resistance, machinability, and suitability for load-bearing applications. A higher kõvadusväärtus generally implies greater resistance to surface damage.