Hardness Testing
Hardness Testing
IRISNDT measures microhardness with a Vickers Pedestal Static machine. This is calibrated to UKAS standards and allows use of 10Kg and 30Kg loads for a broad range of material hardness values.
Hardness is measured by applying a diamond indenter to the material surface. This leaves a very small indent in the region of 0.3mm across the diagonals. Hardness values are obtained by dividing the indentation area by the load. The small indentation size means hardness values can be measured and profiled over localised areas such as weld heat affected zones.
Samples are prepared in our machine workshop to leave parallel surfaces. These are polished to a mirror finish and we have the ability to hot mount small samples to ensure no distortion occurs during testing. Pictures of test samples are included in the final report showing the indentation pattern specified in the applicable code.