Question 1

What are the differences between the Vickers HV hardness tester and the micro Vickers hardness tester?

Accepted Answer

Vickers hardness testers (HV) and micro-Vickers hardness testers both belong to the Vickers hardness testing system, but there are certain differences between them.
From the perspective of the test force range, the test force of a Vickers hardness tester is larger, generally above 1N, and is suitable for larger-sized specimens and routine hardness testing; while the test force of a micro-Vickers hardness tester is extremely small, usually below 1N and as low as 0.001N, and is mainly used for hardness testing of micro areas, such as the microstructure of materials, grain boundaries, and small parts.
In terms of application scenarios, Vickers hardness testers are mostly used for the inspection of finished and semi-finished products in industrial production; micro-Vickers hardness testers are more commonly used in fields such as scientific research and material analysis, allowing for the study of the microscopic hardness distribution within materials. In addition, the optical system of the micro-Vickers hardness tester has a higher magnification, enabling clearer observation of tiny indentations.
The operating principles of the two are basically the same, but the micro-Vickers hardness tester has higher requirements for the operating environment and the skills of the operator.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. has an in-depth understanding of the differences and applications of these two types of instruments and can provide users with selection assistance. Taiwan Zhongze Company provides various models of Vickers hardness testers and micro-Vickers hardness testers. Welcome to call for inquiries and purchase.

Question 2

How should the indentation after Vickers hardness test HV be handled?

Accepted Answer

The treatment of indentations after measurement with a Vickers hardness tester (HV) depends on the purpose of the specimen and subsequent processing requirements.
For specimens that need to be preserved, such as samples used for archiving, secondary inspection, or display, the indentation should be kept as intact as possible, avoiding wiping or grinding; a protective cover can be used to shield the specimen to prevent the indentation from being contaminated or damaged. If the specimen requires subsequent processing, as the location of the indentation may affect processing precision, methods such as grinding or polishing can be used to remove the indentation, but care must be taken during operation to avoid damaging other parts of the specimen.
For discarded specimens after batch testing, they can be treated as general industrial waste, provided that environmental protection regulations are observed.
In addition, when recording measurement data, information such as the location and size of the indentation should be labeled in detail to facilitate subsequent traceability.
When handling indentations, never use hard objects to scrape them, so as to avoid destroying the specimen surface or causing indentation deformation, which would affect the reliability of the data.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide professional suggestions on indentation treatment. The FV810 / FV310 and other Vickers hardness testers from Taiwan Zhongze Company offer precise indentation measurement. For more knowledge regarding indentations, welcome to call for consultation.

Question 3

Can the Vickers HV hardness tester work normally in low temperature environments?

Accepted Answer

The working status of the Vickers hardness tester HV in low-temperature environments will be affected to a certain extent; whether it can work normally depends on the specific value of the ambient temperature and the performance of the instrument.
Generally speaking, the suitable working temperature for a Vickers hardness tester is 10-35°C. When the ambient temperature is lower than 10°C, the mechanical parts of the instrument may experience sticking or poor lubrication due to the low temperature, affecting the application accuracy and stability of the test force. The optical system may generate fog at low temperatures, leading to unclear observation of the indentation through the reading microscope and affecting measurement accuracy. In addition, low temperatures may cause the specimen to undergo cold contraction, changing its mechanical properties and subsequently affecting the hardness measurement results.
If it must be used in a low-temperature environment, thermal insulation measures should be taken, such as equipping the instrument with a constant temperature device to ensure the working environment temperature is within the appropriate range. At the same time, the instrument should be preheated in advance and maintained regularly to reduce the impact of low temperatures on the instrument.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide solutions for instrument use in low-temperature environments. The FV810 / FV310 and other Vickers hardness testers from Taiwan Zhongze Company have a certain degree of environmental adaptability; please call for details.

Question 4

How to calibrate the reading microscope of a Vickers hardness tester HV?

Accepted Answer

The calibration of the reading microscope of the Vickers hardness tester HV is an important step to ensure measurement accuracy and must be carried out according to standard procedures.
First, prepare a standard scale, place it on the instrument workbench, and adjust the microscope focus so that the scale markings are clearly imaged. Then, observe the crosshairs inside the microscope, align them with the zero scale line of the standard scale, and record the reading of the microscope drum at this time.
Next, move the workbench to align the crosshairs with a certain scale line of the standard scale, record the drum reading again, and calculate the deviation between the difference of the two readings and the corresponding scale value of the standard scale. If the deviation is within the allowable range, the calibration is qualified; if the deviation exceeds the range, it is necessary to adjust the mechanical transmission mechanism or optical system of the microscope and repeat the calibration steps until qualified.
After the calibration is completed, a calibration record must be filled out, and re-calibration should be performed regularly. Calibration work should be operated by professional metrology personnel using a certified and qualified standard scale.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide reading microscope calibration services and technical guidance. The FV810 / FV310 and other Vickers hardness testers from Taiwan Zhongze Company have high-precision reading microscopes. If you need help related to calibration, welcome to call for consultation.

Question 5

Can the Vickers HV hardness tester be used to test the hardness of welded joints?

Accepted Answer

The Vickers hardness tester HV is very suitable for testing the hardness of welded joints. A welded joint consists of the weld zone, fusion zone, heat-affected zone, and other parts; the hardness of each zone differs, and the structure is relatively complex. The Vickers hardness tester can precisely measure small hardness changes in different zones.
During testing, the welded joint specimen must be ground and polished to ensure the test surface is flat and smooth. Then, an appropriate test force, usually 1-10N, is selected to perform multi-point measurements at different positions of the joint to plot a hardness distribution curve, thereby analyzing the welding quality. For tiny areas such as weld edges and the vicinity of the fusion line, a small test force can be used for precise testing to avoid oversized indentations covering different zones and affecting the results.
The high precision and wide measurement range of the Vickers hardness tester can clearly reflect the hardness gradient of the welded joint, providing an important basis for evaluating the welding process and joint performance.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. has extensive experience in the hardness testing of welded joints and can provide professional support. The FV810 / FV310 and other Vickers hardness testers from Taiwan Zhongze Company can meet the testing requirements for welded joints. Welcome to call for consultation.

Question 6

How to accurately measure the indentation of a Rockwell hardness tester?

Accepted Answer

Accurately measuring the indentation of a Rockwell hardness tester is crucial.
Before measurement, ensure that the precision of the measuring tools meets the requirements; typically, a microscope or a specialized hardness tester measurement device is used. Place the specimen on the measurement platform and adjust the focal length of the microscope so that the indentation is clearly visible.
For indentations produced by a diamond cone indenter, the lengths of the two diagonals should be measured, and the average value taken as the characteristic dimension of the indentation; for indentations produced by a steel ball indenter, the diameter is measured directly.
During the measurement process, pay attention to the measurement direction; measurement should be conducted along the main axis of the indentation to avoid measurement errors caused by directional deviation. At the same time, multiple measurements should be taken and averaged to reduce accidental errors. Additionally, ensure a stable measurement environment and avoid interference from vibrations and light that could affect measurement precision.

The Rockwell hardness testers from Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. are equipped with high-precision measurement systems that can automatically and accurately measure indentation dimensions, improving measurement efficiency and accuracy.

Question 7

Applicable Scenarios for Different Rockwell Hardness Scales?

Accepted Answer

Different scales of the Rockwell hardness tester have their respective applicable scenarios.
The HRA scale adopts a diamond cone indenter, with an initial test force of 98.07N and a main test force of 588.4N, and is suitable for testing high-hardness materials such as cemented carbide and surface-hardened steel. These materials have high hardness and require a larger test force to enable the indenter to produce measurable indentations; the HRA scale can accurately reflect their hardness characteristics.
The HRB scale uses a steel ball indenter with a diameter of 1.5875mm, an initial test force of 98.07N, and a main test force of 882.6N, and is commonly used for testing softer materials such as annealed steel, non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, etc.), and their alloys. These materials have lower hardness; the smaller test force and steel ball indenter can avoid excessive indentation depth that damages the specimen, while accurately measuring its hardness.
The HRC scale also adopts a diamond cone indenter, with an initial test force of 98.07N and a main test force of 1471N, and is one of the most commonly applied scales, mainly used for testing medium-hardness materials such as quenched steel and tempered steel, which can meet the hardness testing needs of most metallic materials.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide users with detailed introductions to the applicable scenarios of each scale to help users make the correct choice.

Question 8

How to analyze Rockwell hardness test data?

Accepted Answer

Analyzing the test data of a Rockwell hardness tester requires consideration from multiple aspects.
It is necessary to check the rationality of the data to see if the test values are within the reasonable range of the selected scale. If the test value exceeds the scale range, it may be due to problems in the testing process, such as an incorrect scale selection or the specimen not meeting requirements.
Analyze the degree of dispersion of the data and calculate the standard deviation of multiple test results. If the standard deviation is large, it indicates that the repeatability of the test results is poor, which may be caused by an uneven specimen, unstable testing operations, or issues with the instrument. For the test data of the same batch of specimens, statistical analysis can be performed to calculate the average value and confidence interval to evaluate the overall hardness level of the batch.
In addition, the test data can be compared with relevant standards or historical data to determine whether the hardness of the specimen meets the requirements. If the test data is used for quality control, when the hardness value exceeds the specified range, the causes should be analyzed in time and corresponding measures should be taken.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. provides professional data analysis software and services to help users accurately analyze test results.

Question 9

What are the environmental requirements for using a Rockwell hardness tester?

Accepted Answer

Rockwell hardness testers have certain requirements for the operating environment.
Regarding temperature, it is generally required that the operating environment temperature be between 10-35°C; temperatures that are too high or too low will affect the precision and stability of the hardness tester. Excessively high temperatures may cause instrument components to expand, affecting the accuracy of the loading system and measurement devices; excessively low temperatures may cause the instrument's lubricating oil to solidify, affecting the normal movement of components. Regarding humidity, the relative humidity of the environment should be controlled between 30%-85%; excessive humidity can easily cause the instrument to rust, affecting the performance of electrical components; while insufficient humidity may generate static electricity, interfering with the normal operation of the instrument.
In addition, the operating environment should be kept clean to prevent dust, impurities, etc., from entering the interior of the instrument, which would affect its precision and service life. At the same time, it should be kept away from vibration sources and strong magnetic fields; vibrations will affect the formation and measurement of the indentation, and strong magnetic fields may interfere with the electronic system of the instrument.

The Rockwell hardness testers from Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. have good environmental adaptability and also provide users with suggestions regarding the operating environment.

Question 10

How to perform routine calibration of a Rockwell hardness tester?

Accepted Answer

Daily calibration of the Rockwell hardness tester is the key to ensuring test accuracy.
Prepare standard hardness blocks whose hardness values should cover the testing range of the hardness tester and possess valid calibration certificates.
Before calibration, check whether the appearance of the hardness tester is normal, whether the connections of all components are firm, and whether the indenter is clean and free of wear. Then, preheat the hardness tester according to the operating procedures to allow it to reach a stable working state. Place the standard hardness block on the workbench of the hardness tester, select the Rockwell hardness scale appropriate for the hardness value of the standard hardness block, apply the initial test force and the main test force, and measure the hardness value of the standard hardness block.
Compare the measured value with the nominal value of the standard hardness block and calculate the error. If the error is within the allowable range, it indicates that the hardness tester is normal; if the error exceeds the allowable range, the hardness tester needs to be adjusted, such as adjusting the loading system or measurement device, until the error meets the requirements.

Kunshan Fuze Testing Equipment Co., Ltd. can provide users with professional calibration services and calibration training to ensure that the hardness tester is always in an accurate working state.

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