Overview
The Micro Vickers Hardness Indenter is a critical component of microhardness testers, designed to measure material hardness at microscopic scales. It employs a diamond pyramid indenter with a 136° angle to create precise indentations under controlled loads. This tool is widely used in metallurgy, material research, and industrial quality control due to its ability to test thin films, small parts, and brittle materials. The indenter’s geometry follows the Vickers principle, where hardness is calculated based on the indentation’s diagonal lengths. Unlike macro-hardness testers, micro-indenters operate at lighter loads (often below 1 kgf), enabling minimal sample damage while providing repeatable results. Leading manufacturers ensure compliance with ISO 6507 and ASTM E384 standards.
Structure and Working Principle
The indenter consists of a diamond tip mounted on a rigid shank, typically made of steel or tungsten carbide. The diamond is ground to a perfect square-based pyramid with 136°±0.5° angles, ensuring geometric consistency. During testing, the indenter is pressed into the material surface at a specified load for a dwell time (usually 10–15 seconds). Post-indentation, an optical microscope measures the diagonal lengths of the residual impression. Hardness (HV) is calculated using the formula HV = 1.8544 * (F/d²), where F is the applied force (kgf) and d is the average diagonal length (mm). The micro-scale design allows testing on small grains, coatings, or heat-affected zones without bulk deformation.
Key Features
Precision diamond tips with mirror-polished surfaces ensure minimal friction and accurate impressions. The 136° angle provides hardness values independent of load magnitude, unlike Knoop indenters. High-end models feature automatic tip alignment and wear detection systems. Micro Vickers indenters support ultra-low loads (e.g., 10 gf to 1 kgf), enabling testing of delicate materials like semiconductor wafers or biological tissues. Their non-destructive nature makes them ideal for repeated measurements on the same specimen. Compatibility with automated testers enhances throughput in industrial labs.
Application Areas
Metallurgical labs use these indenters to evaluate heat-treated alloys, weld joints, and case-hardened layers. In electronics, they measure the hardness of solder bumps or thin-film coatings on PCBs. Ceramic and composite manufacturers rely on micro-indentation for quality assurance. Research institutions employ them to study material properties at microstructural levels, such as grain boundaries or phase distributions. Automotive and aerospace industries validate component durability, especially for lightweight materials like titanium or carbon fiber composites.
Maintenance and Precautions
Regular cleaning with alcohol wipes prevents contaminant buildup on the diamond tip. Avoid touching the tip directly; use protective caps when not in use. Periodic calibration with certified reference blocks (e.g., ISO 6507-3) ensures measurement accuracy. Inspect the tip for chips or cracks before use. Replace the indenter if wear exceeds 5% deviation in diagonal ratios. Store in a dry, vibration-free environment to prevent mechanical damage. Follow manufacturer guidelines for load limits to avoid diamond fracture.
B2B Procurement Guide
Buyers should verify ISO/ASTM compliance and request calibration certificates. Reputable suppliers provide traceable documentation for diamond quality (e.g., Type IIa diamonds). Consider compatibility with existing testers (e.g., Mitutoyo, Buehler, or Zwick models). Bulk orders (5+ units) may qualify for discounts. Lead times vary; custom tips (e.g., modified angles) require 4–8 weeks. For reference, premium EU/US-made indenters cost $1,500–$3,000, while Asian alternatives range from $500–$1,500. Prioritize vendors offering post-sale recalibration services.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：差示扫描量热仪、热重分析仪、差热分析仪、数显维氏硬度计价格、同步热分析仪、热变形维卡软化点测定仪、导热系数测定仪、熔体流动速率仪、万能试验机、工业内窥镜、熔指仪、导热仪、管材静液压试验机、转矩流变仪、激光粒度仪、纳米粒度仪、DSC差示扫描量热仪、TGA热重分析仪、比热容测定仪、综合热分析仪、炭黑含量测试仪、炭黑分散度测试仪、毛细管流变仪、电压击穿试验机、膨胀系数测试仪、体积表面电阻率测试仪
- 主营：卧式投影测量仪、膜厚仪、拉力试验机、数显显微维氏硬度计、硬度计、金相显微镜、视频显微镜、电子显微镜、金相分析显微镜、CCD显微镜、Hvs-1000B显微维氏硬度计、万能工具显微镜、水平仪、粘度计、扭矩检定仪、数显扭矩扳手、张力计、同心度测量仪、二次元投影仪、分光测色仪、影像测量仪、投影测量仪、二次元影像测量仪、2.5次元影像测量仪、二次元测量仪
- 主营：镶嵌机、触摸屏、测试机、硬度块、硬度计、显微镜、硬度仪、抛光机、镶埋机、铝合金、测量仪、磨抛机、检测仪、淬硬层、砂带机、切割机、测试仪、压平器、探伤仪、测厚仪、镶嵌粉、磨平机、切片夹、制样工具、磨抛设备
- 主营：金刚石测试头、硬质合金、天然金刚石、金刚石洛氏压头、金刚石维氏压头、布氏压头、金刚石努氏压头、布洛维硬度计、金刚石显微维氏压头、维氏硬度计、布氏硬度计、维氏压头、金刚石压头、塑料洛氏压头、克努普压头、RC 异形压头、HV 系列压头、HRC 压头、显微维氏压头、轻负荷维氏压头、天然金刚石压头、钢球压头、硬度计配件、120° 圆锥头、金属材料检测
- 主营：高温硬度计、金属橡胶硬度计、显微镜、球压痕硬度计、方向盘硬度计、胶辊硬度测试、胶囊硬度计、橡胶塑料硬度、环境试验箱、标准数显邵氏
- 主营：影像测量仪、拉力试验机、二次元测量仪、数显显微硬度计、考古元素分析仪、涂层分析光谱仪
- 主营：切割机、磨抛机、皮带/水泵、维氏硬度计、硬度计测头、抛光研磨机、探头传感器、手动切割砂轮、自动研磨抛光机、带背胶抛光绒布、电解抛光腐蚀仪、试样研磨抛兴机、数显压力试验机
- 主营：影像测量仪、万能试验机、合金分析仪、洛氏硬度计、便携式光谱仪
- 主营：切割机、抛光皮、抛光膏、硬度计、金相显微镜、磨抛机、切削液、镶嵌料、压平机、抛光机、金相砂纸、水磨砂纸、砂轮切割片、镶嵌机配件、表面粗糙度仪、透明环氧树脂
- 主营：金刚石、刚石工具、精密仪器、cube立方角压头、测量仪配件、纳米压痕测量、针尖纳米压痕仪
- 主营：arc系统、荧光光谱仪、三重四极杆、显微镜、硬度计、倒置显微、胶囊硬度测试器、维氏硬度测量仪、邵氏硬度标准块、液相色谱仪、精密切割机、拉曼分析仪、研磨抛光机、钻石切割机、超声波探伤仪、智能成像监测仪
- 主营：变电柜、分析仪、报警仪、硬度计、振动仪、电缆线、测量仪、电池组、电子秤、夹板线、传感器、计数器、扫描仪、内窥镜、磨平机、抛光机、测振仪、色度仪、黑光灯、测试仪、磨样机、千分尺、内径表、闪测仪、镶嵌机
- 主营：桔皮仪、铝合金、温度仪、硬度计、显微镜、色差计、测色计、毫欧表、雾影仪、色差仪、测厚仪、粘度计、细菌片、色差设备、反射率仪、遮盖力仪、端子测量、数字探头、航模电机、成像系统、背光键盘、温度测试仪、盐雾试验箱、小孔光泽仪、椎板流变仪
- 主营：金相显微镜、光谱仪、粗糙度轮廓仪、测厚仪
- 主营：硬度计、单双臂电桥、直流电阻测试仪、直流电阻箱