Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Tester

As with every other hardness test, however, the Vickers procedure is not without some flaws. Here are some of them:

1. Extensive Material Preparation

Since optical evaluation is featured in the Vickers test, the quality of the specimen’s surface must be considered good. This means that the place where the indenter is going to make contact with the specimen must be cleaned, ground, and polished. Otherwise, the test results are unreliable.

2. Slow Test Cycles

Compared to the Rockwell method, the Vickers test is comparatively slower. It would take 30 to 60 seconds for the test to be conducted. This does not include the time taken to prepare the test location for the procedure.

3. Price

Due to the need for optical evaluation during the test, a Vickers Hardness tester must be equipped with an optical measurement system. As such, a Vickers hardness tester is more expensive to purchase brand new compared to a Rockwell tester.

If you are looking for more information or would like to get a personalized quote, you can click here.

NextGen Material Testing, Inc. is committed to providing every client with the highest quality equipment for the lowest possible price. We achieve this through our corporate infrastructure. Low overhead, high production volumes, and cutting out any potential middlemen allow NextGen Material Testing, Inc. to deliver better quality testing equipment at a lesser cost.

We understand that purchasing Quality Control Equipment is the equivalent of entering into a long-term relationship with your Quality Provider that can last for decades and beyond. This is why NextGen is honoured to provide you with the highest quality products to reflect the same loyal, long-term commitment back to you. The quality of relationships NextGen develops with all of our clients is one of our secrets to success that creates a mutual win-win situation and leads to your ultimate satisfaction. NG1000 Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester Power Source 110V/60Hz/1Ph and overall Dimensions are 49cmx18.5cmx51.5cm (LxWxH). Weight is 45kg.

If you are looking for more information or would like to obtain a personalized quote, you can click here.

Usable specimen height and throat depth on the NG-1000 depend on the configuration and the fixture the part sits in, so we confirm both against your drawing at quotation. The standard X-Y testing table measures 10 × 10 cm with 2.5 × 2.5 cm of travel, which suits mounted metallographic samples, small parts and cut sections.

For parts that do not sit flat, the NGFixture1000 set adds flat, thin specimen and filament clamping tables, and the NG-FLS2000 universal leveling fixture helps meet the parallelism requirement of the hardness test. A surface that is not square to the indenter distorts the indentation, so the fixture matters as much as the free height.

Specimen size also has to respect the method. Thickness must suit the depth of the indentation, and each indent needs enough distance from the edge and from its neighbours, as covered in ASTM E384. Cylindrical and curved specimens need careful preparation.

Send us a sketch or photo of your largest part and we will show you how it mounts on the NG-1000.

The NG1000 Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester features an easy-to-see LCD display in all lighting environments, a motorized turret, a built-in mini printer and a user-friendly menu for operation. By entering these values into the NG1000 LCD panel, the system will generate a Vickers/Knoop hardness value and display it to be written down or printed on the mini printer. NG1000CCD has all the features of the NG1000DGEN hardness tester with the addition of a CCD camera and user-friendly NG VickSoft software.

The user-friendly control panel allows you to navigate through the NG1000 menu easily. Test parameters can quickly be changed to suit your testing requirements. The NG1000CCD VickSoft software lets you view all your hardness results in an easy viewing panel. You can store and look back at your indentation images for re-measuring when necessary. The NG-VickSoft also allows you to plot your case depth curves and create reports for your hardness testing measurements.

If you would like to obtain a personalized quote, you can click here.

NextGen Material Testing, Inc. prides itself on providing you with fully calibrated equipment which is over 90% ready for use. Our user-friendly interface, installation and training videos, and easy-to-read operations manuals allow the operator to grasp the operation of the equipment for immediate use swiftly. Additionally, our service engineers are happy to further assist you by phone, e-mail, Skype, as well as Team Viewer to provide you with the ability to operate your equipment right away.

Yes, training and installation are available for all of our equipment. A team of trained professionals stands ready to serve your quality service needs. As a global company, we can provide training and installation anywhere our clients are. Please contact your product consultant to request the training and installation quotation based on your purchased equipment. NextGen Material Testing, Inc. offers a highly precise and cost-effective option for all Vickers and Knoop testing requirements. The NG1000 hardness tester is available in different configurations (AGEN, DGEN and CCD) to meet all requirements for sample volumes and required accuracy.

If you would like to obtain a personal quote or if you have any other questions, you can click here.

The following international standards are used by the NG-1000 Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Tester: ISO 6507 and ASTM E-384.

For the three separate test force ranges for metallic materials, including hard metals and other cemented carbides, ISO 6507 specifies the Vickers hardness test technique. As a function of the test force, the Knoop indenter does not create an indentation that is geometrically equivalent. Under the same test conditions, the indentation depth for a Knoop indentation is shallower than for a Vickers indentation because of its rhombic shape. The Knoop indenter can therefore be particularly helpful for assessing thin coatings or hardness gradients on sectioned samples.

The accepted test procedure for determining a material's Knoop and Vickers hardness is ASTM E384. Test loads normally vary from 100 to 500 grams but can be as low as 1 gram and as high as 1,000 grams. At all test forces, the Vickers indenter often creates an indentation that is geometrically comparable. The list of requirements that adhere to our A2LA and ISO accreditation is provided below.

• Knoop: 100, 500 HK
• Vickers: 100g, 300g, 500g, 1000g HV
• ASTM E384
• ASTM F606
• ASTM F606M

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Yes. The whole NG-1000 series is built to ASTM E92, together with ASTM E384 and ISO 6507, and every configuration from the AGEN to the CCD FA carries the same standards listing.

ASTM E92 covers Vickers and Knoop hardness of metallic materials, with Vickers forces from 1 gf up to 120 kgf and Knoop forces up to 2 kgf. The NG-1000 works in the micro part of that span, with eight test forces from 10 g to 1000 g, which is why the same machine also falls under ASTM E384 for microindentation work.

The standard also sets requirements for the testing machine and includes annexes on verifying machines, indenters and test blocks. For that reason we supply certified, NIST traceable Vickers and Knoop test blocks and indenters, so your lab can check the machine the way the method expects.

If your customer cites a particular edition of E92, tell us which one and we will check the setup against it.

On the instrument, a measured Vickers value converts to HRA, HRB, HRC, HR15N, HR30N, HR45N and HB (HBW), and the converted reading appears next to the HV result on the touch screen. On CCD configurations, the VickSoft software adds HK, so one Vickers series can be reported on the scale your drawing uses.

The conversion scale is chosen before testing, along with any tolerance limit, so the OK / NG judgement and the converted value come out of the same test without extra steps.

A converted number is a reference figure taken from conversion tables, not a replacement for the test itself. Where a specification calls for Rockwell or Brinell hardness as the acceptance value, that test should be run directly, and we offer Rockwell and Brinell testers for exactly that.

For coatings, case hardened layers and thin sections, the HV value itself is usually the figure worth reporting, since this is the work micro Vickers resolves and bulk methods cannot.

Magnification is the process of enlarging something's apparent size rather than its actual size. This enlargement is measured in terms of a calculated quantity known as "magnification." The term "minification" or "de-magnification" is frequently used to describe a reduction in size when this number is less than one.

Magnification typically refers to procedures like enlarging graphics or images to show more detail, boosting resolution, using a microscope, printing methods, or digital processing. The viewpoint of the image is unaffected by image magnification in every situation. Optical magnification is a dimensionless number since it measures the difference between an object's apparent size (or its size in an image) and its actual size. Optical magnification is sometimes referred to as "power" (for example, "10× power"), although this can lead to confusion with optical power.

The NG-1000 - Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness testers have the following magnification: 100X (Observation), 400X (Measurement), (Can be extended to 150X or 600X).

The NG-1000 - Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester have a 10x Magnification Eyepiece.

Analogue Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester measurements are made through the eyepiece. The operator must first rotate the dial on the microscope to align the micrometres with the diagonals of the indentation. Once aligned, the user must manually read the lengths of the diagonals on the ruler visible through the eyepiece. You then enter the diagonal lengths into the tester through the numbered keypad, and the tester will automatically convert the diagonal lengths to your hardness value and display it on the LCD screen.

Digital Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester measurements are made through the eyepiece. This system is equipped with an encoder. After using the micrometres to measure the diagonals, the system will transmit your readings from the eyepiece into the system through a single click of a button. The system will generate your hardness reading and display it on the LCD.

CCD Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester measurements are performed through a CCD Camera combined with Analytical Software. The measurements can be made through the eyepiece, or they can be done through the analysis software and CCD camera. The advanced accuracy of this Vickers hardness testing system, the Motorized Turret and the Built-in-Printer make this machine the top pick for quality control laboratories. To obtain a personalized quote, click here.

Since the necessary calculations are independent of the indenter's size and the indenter may be used for any materials regardless of hardness, the Vickers test is frequently simpler to apply than other hardness tests. As with all accepted methods of determining hardness, the fundamental idea is to look at a material's resistance to plastic deformation caused by a typical source. All metals can be tested with the Vickers test, which also has one of the widest hardness scales available.

The Vickers Pyramid Number (HV) or Diamond Pyramid Hardness is the term for the hardness measurement provided by the test (DPH). Although the hardness value can be expressed in pascals, pressure, which also employs the same units, should not be mistaken. The hardness number is determined by the load over the surface area of the indentation and not the area normal to the force and does therefore not pressure. These are the Vickers Scales for the NG-1000 – Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness tester: HV0.01, HV0.025, HV0.05, HV0.1, HV0.2, HV0.3, HV0.5, HV1, HV2 (Optional).

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The NG-1000 measures indentation diagonals in micrometres, with a minimum measuring unit of 0.01 µm. For a Vickers indent the instrument reads both diagonals, D1 and D2, and calculates the hardness from their average.

How the reading is taken depends on the model. On the AGEN, the operator reads the diagonals on the eyepiece micrometers and types them in on the keypad. On the DGEN, the encoder in the digital eyepiece sends each diagonal to the instrument with one push of a button. On the CCD models, the VickSoft software measures the indentation from the camera image, and manual measurement stays available.

The electronic eyepiece is zeroed once after power-up by aligning its two lines before the first measurement, and diagonals are normally measured under the 40X objective.

Knoop works differently, because only the long diagonal is measured. The Knoop indent is a rhombus with diagonals in a ratio of about 7 to 1 and a depth of roughly 1/30 of the long diagonal, which is why Knoop suits thin coatings and surface layers.

Depending on how high your daily specimen testing volume is, you may want to consider our NG-5000 CCD - Macro Vickers Hardness Testing Systems. This digital macro Vickers hardness tester comes with all of the capabilities of the DGEN model as well as the added value of the optical software designed for ease-of-use and elimination of human error. In order to speed the process, you may choose to upgrade to our automated software for your macro Vickers hardness tester, which allows you to capture indentation automatically and received a readout virtually instantly. Contact us today to learn which macro Vickers hardness tester is the right solution for you.

The benefits of the digital Vickers hardness testing systems can be described on two levels. Firstly, all Digital Vickers systems come with a user-friendly touch pad interface. The machine is capable of performing indentations in seconds and provide an accurate reading. The digital Vickers hardness testing system can also be used with our CCD Optical Analysis upgrade for the highest degree of accuracy and full elimination of the human error factor. The solid framing and state of the art engineering will have you benefit from this machine for many decades to come. Learn more about our Digital Vickers Hardness Testing systems for your Macro Vickers or Micro Vickers needs.

Best experience shows that the optimal solution for your Micro Vickers Hardness testing needs is highly dependent on your technical specifications. For example, if unwavering accuracy is your only focus, we would suggest our NG 1000 CCD Model - Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Testing System with CCD Optical Analysis software. If you were looking for something more affordable, yet easy to use, we would suggest the NG 1000 AGEN Model - Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Testing System with Analogue Display. For the sweet spot of the two worlds, our most commonly purchased Micro Vickers Hardness tester is the NG 1000 DGEN Model - Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Testing System with Digital Display. This unit is exceptional for both accuracy and ease-of-use. Regardless of what your Micro Vickers hardness testing needs are, NextGen has you covered with the latest and greatest in the industry. Contact our qualified consultants today to learn which unit best fit your needs.

NextGen's Micro Vickers Hardness Testing line up consists of 4 primary options. The analogue, digital, digital with CCD optical analysis and advanced semi- or fully automatic Vickers hardness testing machines. NG-1000 Series - Micro Vickers Hardness Testers are sure to meet your metallographic and other hardness testing requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can meet your Vickers hardness testing needs.

No, we do not offer stands for our Micro Vickers Hardness Tester - NG-1000 Series. We advise to purchase such stands locally as a more cost-effective solution.

AGEN - Analogue Vickers Hardness Tester models:
In this model of Vickers Tester Manufacturing measurements are made with the eyepiece. The micrometers are used to measure the diagonals. The numbered keypad is then used to manually enter your measurements. The hardness testing results will be generated on the LCD screen.

DGEN - Digital Vickers Hardness Tester models:
In this model of Vickers Tester Manufacturing measurements are made with the eyepiece. Adjust the micrometer to the correct positioning of the diagonals. The equipped encoder allows for the readings to be transferred to the machine with a single click of a button. The hardness reading will then be generated on the LCD screen.

CCD - Digital Vickers Hardness Tester models with CCD Optical Analysis Software:
This Vickers Tester Manufacturing system's foundation is the NG-1000DGEN and is additionally equipped with a CCD Camera and Analysis software. The operator can make measurements using the eyepiece or the analytical software and the CCD camera. This unit provide the highest accuracy and eliminates all operator's error. 

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There are two options to go with for an additional load force requirements:

A. You could order the 2000g weight to conduct the 2kg Vickers hardness test with the standard configurations of 10-1000g. The 2kg test load can be found in the Optional Accessories section of the Micro Vickers Hardness Tester or Macro Vickers Hardness Tester's quotation.

B. Depending on your application requirements you may also want to consider our Macro Vickers Hardness Testing System - NG 5000 Series. The Macro Vickers Hardness Testing System - NG 5 can perform a test load range from 300g (1.96N) to 5kg (49N), while the Macro Vickers Hardness Testing System - NG 10 unit can perform a test range from 500g (4.9N) to 10kg (98N).

Learn more about Micro Vickers Hardness Testing Systems and Macro Vickers Hardness Testing Systems and request quotation today.

The NG-1000 is built for hard materials as well as soft ones. Cemented carbide, glass, ceramics and surface hardened, carburized and nitrided layers are all listed applications, and the 10X and 40X objectives cover materials from the softest to the hardest.

On very hard material the indentation is small, so the load matters. The highest force the specimen can take gives the largest indentation and the most reliable reading. For hard, thin layers, the Knoop indenter is often the better choice because its indent is shallow.

Where the parts can take heavier loads, our NG-5000 macro Vickers series applies the same method at higher forces.

Tell us the hardness you expect and the thickness of the layer, and we will confirm the configuration and the certified test blocks that match your range at quotation.

There is a "Standard Configuration" section including in every quotation which outlines all the lined items included with the purchase of the Vickers Hardness Testing System. NextGen prides itself in the ability to provide all of the required accessories, such as certified test blocks and indenters as part of the price of your Vickers Hardness Tester to ensure long-term unit operation.

NextGen Material Testing, Inc. built a reputation in robust quality equipment with an easy-to-use quality control equipment. Our Micro and Macro Vickers hardness testing are manufactured to order in accordance to the latest industry standards with an ergonomic design and user-friendly interface developed for any experience level operator. To top it all off, we offer support which extend to the life of the equipment, ensuring our customer's piece of mind for generations to come.

Please review what experts say at:http://www.vickershardnesstester.com

NextGen Material Testing has a wide clientele ranging from manufacturing, educational and government facilities. We offer discounts 15% off our regular priced Macro Vickers Hardness Testing Systems and Micro Vickers Hardness Testing Systems. We additionally give our famous Price Match Advantage Guarantee which offers to an additional discount of 10% of the price difference between NextGen and any other credible North American Micro Vickers Tester Manufacturer.

No. NextGen supplies new Vickers hardness testers only, and each NG-1000 is built to order in the configuration you choose, from the AGEN eyepiece model up to the fully automatic CCD FA.

A new machine ships with its product certificate and full standard configuration, and its indenter and optics carry no unknown history of wear. In a lab that reports to customers, that clean starting point is worth more than the saving on a used frame.

Our support covers installation, training and calibration and continues for the life of the equipment, with indenters and test blocks available as consumables when they wear.

If budget is the reason for looking at used units, ask us for a quotation on the configuration that fits your load range and reading method.

Usable working space on the NG-1000 is set by its configuration and fixtures, and large components are rarely tested whole on a micro Vickers machine. The usual route is to cut a section through the area of interest, mount it and polish it, which also gives the flat, prepared surface the method needs.

Our metallography sample preparation equipment, from precision cutters to mounting presses and grinder polishers, covers that preparation step.

Where the hardness has to be read on the finished part itself, a larger frame or a portable method is the better fit, and we offer both macro Vickers and portable hardness testers.

Send us the dimensions and weight of your largest part, and we will recommend the instrument and fixturing that suit it.

Indenters and test blocks are the consumables of a micro hardness lab, because the indenter wears and a block runs out of valid indentation sites. For the NG-1000 we supply the NG-VDI Vickers diamond indenter and the NG-KI Knoop indenter, both NIST certified to ISO 17025, and NG-860 micro Vickers and Knoop test blocks, certified and NIST traceable in all loads and ranges.

Upgrades are ordered the same way, for example the NG-XY-MICRO XY stage with digital micrometer.

To order, send us your request with the serial number of your tester, the parts you need and, for test blocks, the hardness range and test load. The serial number lets us match each part to your build.

We reply with a detailed quotation and lead time for every item on the list.

Yes. The NG-5000 macro Vickers tester is offered in semi-automatic and fully automatic CCD configurations. The SEMI build adds a motorized XY stage, and the FA build adds automated Z axis focus on top of it.

In the SEMI configuration the operator focuses with the Z axis hand wheel, and the software then runs boundary scans, plots the indentation pattern, tests and reports. The FA closes that last manual step, so a full series can run without an operator at the eyepiece.

The same two levels exist on this micro series as the NG-1000CCD SEMI and NG-1000CCD FA. Any NG-1000 model can be upgraded to the semi-automatic system later, so a lab can start with an eyepiece machine and add automation as the workload grows.

Tell us how many indents per sample you run and whether traverses or case depth profiles are routine, and we will match the level of automation.

Every NG-1000 comes with a motorized turret as standard. It carries the 10X observation objective, the 40X measurement objective and the indenter, and switches between them at the press of a button, so nobody has to swap lenses or move the sample by hand.

A test runs as one sequence. After focusing, pressing Start turns the turret to the indenter, applies the load, holds it for the dwell time you set between 1 and 99 seconds, unloads, and returns to the 40X objective so the indentation is already in view for measuring.

Because the sample stays put between indenting and measuring, the operator finds each indent where the optics expect it, and a series stays consistent from point to point. On the CCD FA the turret also has a manual mode and stepwise positioning for fine adjustment.

With the NG-VKI upgrade, a fourth turret position carries a Knoop indenter, so Vickers and Knoop tests run on the same sample without changing indenters.