VickersHärteprüfung

Vickers hardness testing is a method used to determine the hardness of materials. It is based on indenting the material surface with a specific indenter under a specific load for a specific time. The indenter used in Vickers testing is a square-based diamond pyramid with an angle of 136 degrees between opposite faces. After the indentation is made, the length of the two diagonals of the indentation is measured under a microscope. The Vickers hardness number (HV) is calculated by dividing the applied load in kilograms-force by the surface area of the indentation in square millimeters. The formula is HV = 1.854 * P / d², where P is the applied load and d is the average length of the diagonals in millimeters.

This testing method is versatile and can be used on a wide range of materials, from very soft metals to very hard ceramics. It is particularly useful for testing thin materials or small specimens because the indentation is relatively small. The Vickers hardness test is also known for its accuracy and reproducibility. The test can be performed with different loads, ranging from a few grams to 120 kilograms, allowing for the testing of materials with a broad spectrum of hardness. The choice of load depends on the material being tested and the desired depth of indentation. A key advantage of the Vickers test is that it provides a single hardness value regardless of the applied load, making it easier to compare results across different tests.