Instead of using the projected area, the Vickers hardness number is determined using the indent’s surface area. Should the hardness be calculated based on the average of the two diagonals if the imprinted shape is deformed as a result of elastic recovery (particularly prevalent in anisotropic materials)? Based on the projected area of the impression, which may be determined using image analysis, it is possible to determine the Vickers hardness. Although there are few thorough investigations of this issue in the literature, the diagonal measurement is now the recommended method even for deformed indents. To meet all testing requirements, the Vickers hardness test offers two distinct force ranges: “Microindentation Vickers” (10–1000g) and “Macroindentation Vickers” (1–100kg). Vickers hardness values are continuous over the entire range of metal hardness since the indenter is the same for both ranges (typically HV100 – HV1000). As long as the test specimen is fairly homogenous, the HV value is constant, within statistical precision, over a very large test load range because the shape of the Vickers indentation is geometrically comparable at all test loads.

These conditions include test specimens below the minimum thickness for the depth of indentation; a test impression that falls too close to the edge of the specimen or another impression; or testing on cylindrical specimens. The maximum height of the specimen is 8.5cm, and the maximum depth of the specimen is 12cm.

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