cf.

tr E384 -22

4.3 The size of the indentation is measured using a light metrically identical as a function of depth and there will be
microscope equipped with a filar type eyepiece, or other type variations in Knoop hardness, particularly at test forces <200
of measuring device (see Terminology E l 75). gf, over the force range defined in 1 .2 (and above this range);
4.4 The Knoop hardness number i s based upon the force consequently, Knoop hardness is not normally used to define
divided by the projected area of the indentation. The Vickers bulk hardness, except at 500 gf where E l 40 gives conversions
hardness number is based upon the force divided by the surface to other test scales, and Knoop tests should not be performed at
area of the indentation. test forces above 1 000 gf. The majority of Knoop tests of case
hardness variations are conducted at forces from 1 00 gf to 500
4.5 It is assumed that elastic recovery does not occur when gf. If the test is being conducted to meet a specified bulk
the indenter is removed after the loading cycle, that is, it is hardness value, such as HRC, then most such tests will be
assumed that the indentation retains the shape of the indenter conducted with Knoop at a 500 gf load. Because of the large
after the force is removed, but this is not always true. In Knoop difference between the long and short Knoop diagonals, the
testing, it is assumed that the ratio of the long diagonal to the Knoop indenter is often better suited for determining variations
short diagonal of the impression is the same as for the indenter, of hardness over very small distances compared to the Vickers
7 . 1 14, but this is not always true due to elastic recovery. indenter. Vickers and Knoop tests at forces :S25 gf are
susceptible to imprecision due to the difficulty in measuring
5. Significance and Use
extremely small indents (<20 µm) by light microscopy with
5. 1 Hardness tests have been found to be very useful for high precision and reproducibility. Tests made at forces :S25 gf
materials evaluation, quality control of manufacturing pro­ should be considered to be qualitative in nature. Likewise, test
cesses and research and development efforts. Hardness, al­ forces that create indents <20 µm in length should be avoided
though empirical in nature, can be correlated to tensile strength whenever possible and should be considered to be qualitative
for many metals and alloys, and is also an indicator of in nature. The success of the specimen preparation procedure in
machinability, wear resistance, toughness and ductility. removing preparation-induced damage can, and will, influence
5.2 Microindentation tests are utilized to evaluate and quan­ test results; this problem becomes more critical as the test force
tify hardness variations that occur over a small distance. These decreases.
variations may be intentional, such as produced by localized
surface hardening, for example, from shot blasting, cold 6. Apparatus
drawing, flame hardening, induction hardening, etc., or from 6. 1 Test Machine-The test machine must support the test
processes such as carburization, nitriding, carbonitriding, etc.; specimen and control the movement of the indenter into the
or, they may be unintentional variations due to problems, such specimen under a preselected test force, and should have a light
as decarburization, localized softening in service, or from optical microscope to select the desired test locations and to
compositional/microstructural segregation problems. Low test measure the size of the indentations produced by the test. The
forces also extend hardness testing to materials too thin or too plane of the surface of the test specimen must be perpendicular
small for macroindentation tests. Microindentation tests permit to the axis of the indenter and the direction of the force
hardness testing of specific phases or constituents and regions application. The plane of the test specimen surface must be flat,
or gradients too small for evaluation by macroindentation tests. and free of surface relief, in order to obtain valid, usable test
5.3 Because microindentation hardness tests will reveal data. The hardness test machine must meet the verification
hardness variations that commonly exist within most materials, requirements defined in Test Method E92.
a single test value may not be representative of the bulk 6. 1 . l Force Application-The test machine shall be capable
hardness. Vickers tests at 1000 gf can be utilized for determi­ of applying the test forces according to the following:
nation of the bulk hardness, but, as for any hardness test, it is 6. 1 . 1 . 1 The time from the initial application of the force
recommended that a number of indents are made and the until the full test force is reached shall not exceed 1 0 s.
average and standard deviation are calculated, as needed or as 6. 1 . l .2 The indenter shall contact the specimen at a velocity
required. between 1 5 µmis and 70 µmis. Indenter velocity is not usually
adjustable by the user.
5.4 Microindentation hardness testing is generally per­
6. 1 . l .3 The full test force shall be applied for 1 0 s to 1 5 s
formed to quantify variations in hardness that occur over small
unless otherwise specified.
distances. To determine these differences requires a very small
6. 1 . 1 .4 For some applications it may be necessary to apply
physical indentation. Testers that create indents at very low test
the test force for longer times. In these instances the tolerance
forces must be carefully constructed to accurately apply the test
for the time of the applied force is :::'::: 2 s.
forces exactly at the desired location and must have a high­
quality optical system to precisely measure the diagonal (or 6. 1 .2 Vibration Control-During the entire test cycle, the
test machine should be protected from shock or vibration. To
diagonals) of the small indents. Test forces in the upper range
of the force range defined in 1 .2 may be used to evaluate bulk minimize vibrations, the operator should avoid contacting the
machine, or the support table, in any manner during the entire
hardness. In general, the Vickers indenter is better suited for
determining bulk (average) properties as Vickers hardness is test cycle.
not altered by the choice of the test force, from 25 gf to 1 000 6.2 Vickers Indenter-The Vickers indenter normally pro­
gf, because the indent geometry is constant as a function of duces geometrically-similar indentation shapes at all test
indent depth. The Knoop indentation, however, is not geo- forces. Except for tests at very low forces that produce

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