STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

Duhok Polytechnic University

Lecturer's Name: Experiment No. (3)

Mr.Mahir Ismael Ahmed Group (A2)

Title of Experiment:

Vickers Hardness Test

Student Name:

Hayder Hassan Hussain

Date Expt. Performed:

10/02/2022

Date Report Submitted:

17/02/2022
Contents

Objective: .................................................................................................................. 1

Interodusion: ............................................................................................................ 1

Application of Vickers Method Depending on the respective Load Range .... 3

Theory: ...................................................................................................................... 3

Advantages of the Vickers Method ..................................................................... 3

Disadvantages of the Vickers Method ................................................................ 3

Difference between, Brinell, and Vickers Hardness Test ...................... 4

Equipment and Tools: ............................................................................................. 5

Procedure: ................................................................................................................ 6

Calculation: .............................................................................................................. 7

Discusion: .................................................................................................................. 8

Conclusion: ............................................................................................................... 9

Refrence: ................................................................................................................. 10
Objective:
To determin the hardness of the given specimen useing Vickers Hardness Test

Interodusion:
The Vickers hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with
a diamond indenter, in the form of a pyramid with a square base and an angle of 136
degrees between opposite faces subjected to a test force of between 1gf and 100kgf.
The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds. The two diagonals of the
indentation left in the surface of the material after removal of the load are measured
using a microscope and their average calculated. The area of the sloping surfaces of
the indentation is calculated. The Vickers hardness is the quotient obtained by
dividing the kg f load by the square mm area of indentation.

F Load in kgf
d Arithmetic mean of the two diagonals, d1 and d2 in mm
HV Vickers hardness

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 To convert HV to MPa, multiply by 9.807

To convert HV to GPa, multiply by 0.009807

When the mean diagonal of the indentation has been determined the Vickers
hardness may be calculated from the formula. Modern digital Vickers hardness
testers perform this calculation automatically and report the appropriate hardness
result. The Vickers hardness should be reported like 800 HV/10, which means a
Vickers hardness of 800, was obtained using a 10 kgf test force. Several different
loading settings give practically identical hardness numbers on uniform material,
which is much better than the arbitrary changing of scale with the other hardness
testing methods. The advantages of the Vickers hardness test are that extremely
accurate readings can be taken, and just one type of indenter is used for all types of
metals and surface treatments. The Vickers method is capable of testing the softest
and hardest of materials, under varying loads. With modern advances in technology,
PCs and software development, it is now possible to offer automatic indentation
measurement. This has the benefit of eliminating any operator influence over the
result, reducing R&R (repeatability and reproducibility) and uncertainty budgets.
Automatic test surface focusing, motorised XY tables and automatic effective case
depth determination are common place in advanced laboratories around the world
who require the latest technology offering fast, reliable and traceable testing.

Close up of a diamond tipped indentor Vickers Hardness Test indentor geometry.

2
Application of Vickers Method Depending on the respective Load Range

Theory:
Advantages of the Vickers Method

1. The Vickers method can be used with any and all materials and test specimens,
from soft to hard, as the procedure covers the entire hardness range.

2. There is only one type of indenter, which can be used for all Vickers methods.

3. Non-destructive testing is possible, so the test specimen can be used for other
purposes.
Disadvantages of the Vickers Method

1. The surface quality of the specimen must be good, because the indent is
measured optically. This means that the test location must be prepared
(ground and polished), otherwise precise evaluation is difficult.

2. The process is rather slow (compared with the Rockwell method). The test
cycle takes somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds, not including the time
taken to prepare the specimen.

3. Due to the need to conduct optical indent evaluation, Vickers hardness testers
must be equipped with an optical system, which makes them more expensive
to purchase than Rockwell testers.

3
 Difference between, Brinell, and Vickers Hardness Test

Brinell Vickers
The specimen surface can be rough Specimens need to be prepared
Good illumination of the test indent is
Due to the need to conduct optical indent
important for ensuring correct evaluation
evaluation, Vickers hardness testers
of the test indent (e.g. with the aid of a ring
must be equipped with an optical system
light).
The process is slow (by comparison with the The process is rather slow. The test cycle
Rockwell method). The test cycle takes somewhere between 30 and 60
takes somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds seconds
Limitation in applying the method on thin
Non-destructive testing is possible
specimens of very hard materials
High risk of deforming the material to be
More expensive to purchase than Rockwell
tested when testing in the macro range
testers due to optical system
with high test loads
The surface quality of the specimen must be
The surface quality of the specimen must
good, because the indent is measured
be good (ground and polished)
optically
Relatively large test indents that are easier to
measure the rather small Vickers Only one type of indenter
indentations
Can be used for testing non-homogeneous The Vickers method can be used with any
materials (e.g. castings) and all materials and test specimens

4
Equipment and Tools:
Hardness Testing machine

Pyramid diamond

Specimen

Microscope

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Procedure:
1. Set the machine to the required stage of test load and dwell time.

2. Place the specimen carefully on the testing table.

3. Bring the objective to the "set" position.

4. Turn the hand wheel slowly in the clockwise direction so that the specimen
gets focused on the front screen sharply.

5. Now bring the inventor to the "set" position and turn on the loading, dwell-
unloading cycle.

6. Bring the objective back to the "set" position.

7. The indentation is now projected on the front focusing screen.

8. Measure the diameters along each of the impression axis and record them
using a microscope.

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Calculation:

F = Applied load (kgf).

d = Arithmetic means of two diagonals (mm).

HV = Vickers hardness.

d1 = 0.85 mm

d2 = 1 mm.

𝑑1+𝑑2 0.85+1
𝑑= 𝑑= = 0.925 mm
2 2
𝐹 100
𝐻𝑉 = 1.854 ∗ 𝐻𝑉 = 1.854 ∗ (
𝑑2 0.925)2

HV = 216.68 kgf/mm²

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Discusion:
The indentation produced by the Vickers test is relatively small, and therefore,

it is extremely useful in testing the hardness of small parts or sections and very

thin objects like foils for example.

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Conclusion:
The Vickers Hardness test is easy to use, and its benefits far outweigh any

potential disadvantages. The versatility of its use – the fact that it can be used to

measure the hardness of almost any type of material – still makes it very

attractive and widely applicable.

Error:

It is possible that while a force is applied to the angle of the sample, deformation

occurs in the sample. Also, when removing the sample, if we rotate the rotating

drum against the opening, an excessive force will occur on the sample, and this

will lead to an error in the measurements.

Result:

HV = 216.68 kgf/mm²

9
Refrence:
https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/vickers-hardness-test/2478/

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