Vickers Hardness Test

Introduction:
The Vickers hardness test is commonly used to measure
the hardness of materials, particularly those with
extremely hard surfaces. A four-sided diamond pyramid
angle of 136 ͦ is used as indenter. The load, varying from
1 to 120 kgf, is usually applied for dwell time of 10-15
seconds which produces indentation on the specimen.
The depth of the specimen should not be less than 1.5
times the diagonal of the impression. After removal of
load opposite diagonals of square base is measured and
average diameter is considered as final as a parameter to
find area of square. Hardness number is achieved by
dividing the load applied by the area of square indentation.
Fig 1: Indentation Process and indentation
Formula:
θ
2 F sin
2 where θ = 136o
VHN = 2
D
1.8544 F
VHN =
D2
F Load in kgf
D Arithmetic mean of the two diagonals, d1 and d2
VHN Vickers hardness

Procedure:
1. The samples were ground coarsely to remove grease.
2. The sample was subjected to fine grinding, polishing and
subsequent etching (to view phases). Then the sample was
placed on the anvil under the indenter of testing machine.
3. Using microscope, a suitable area was selected for
indentation.
4. The indenter was then swung over the work piece.
5. Then the machine was adjusted. Appropriate load and time
were selected for the test. ‘START’ button was then pressed.
6. Then for observations, the microscope was again swung
over the work piece. Two vertical lines were made coincident
first to avoid zero error. By placing one line over a corner, the
second line was moved diagonally over the other corner, the button was then pressed to record reading.
7. Then the eyepiece was rotated at 90 ͦ to observe second reading with theFig
same2: procedure.
Vickers hardness Tester
8. The diagonal lengths and the hardness number were automatically displayed on the screen.

Data Collection and Analysis:

Load Diagonal Length (mm) Average Length (mm) Vickers hardness
S. No Specimen
(kg) d1 d2 D VHN
1
2

Submitted to: Engr. Mohsin Iqbal Qazi Submitted by: Abbas Khan
Abdul Hadi
Afaq Ali Khan
Johira Sarwar