Nano, Micro, Vickers & Rockwell Hardness
Quick Guide
Indentation Testing
Hardness
Elastic Modulus
Creep
Fracture Toughness
Scratch Testing
Adhesion
Scratch Resistance
Wear
Pin-on-Disk
Linear Reciprocating
Coefficient of Friction
Static
Dynamic
Dynamic with wear
Mechanical Testing
Tensile
Compression
Flexural
Shear
Profilometry
Data Processing
Service
Training & Consulting
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Indent on a rough surface |
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Precise positioning of indent |
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Fused silica |
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Testing includes: |
Hardness testing services include:
Nanoindentation (Vickers and MPa units)
Micro, Vickers
Rockwell
Nanoindentation, also known as instrumented indentation, can be used for bulk materials and thick coatings; it is however especially appropriate for small features, thin coatings and materials such as glass and ceramics that crack under too much load.
Properties such as hardness, elastic modulus and creep can be determined with a single indent. It is based on the analysis of the load-penetration curve measured while doing an imprint. It is computer-controlled and it is not influenced by the operator's judgement of the imprint' shape.
It is often the case that hardness testing is performed using too much load given the dimensions of the sample or feature to be measured. Many are mistakenly using conventional measurement techniques when they should be using nanoindentation.
Keep the following in mind when choosing a hardness testing technique:
- A hardness value is invalid if an indent shows sign of cracking or pile up;
- Ideally an indent should not be deeper than 1/7 to 1/10 of the coating thickness;
- When measuring the hardness of a coating using a cross-section, the distance between the edge of coating (surface/interface) and the indent itself should be at least 3 times the size of the diagonals;
- The hardness of most samples can be measured using instrumented indentation without the necessity to have a polished cross-section.
