Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Microhardness Testing
Microhardness tests offer precise and accurate insights into materials characterised by fine microstructures. This testing method is specifically applied to assess very thin, layered samples of metals, using extremely light loads.
Microhardness testing is a specialised technique used to determine the hardness of small-scale specimens or thin sections with exceptional precision.
Unlike traditional hardness testing methods like Rockwell or Brinell, which are mainly performed on larger samples, microhardness testing focuses on examining tiny and specific areas of a material. This approach is particularly beneficial when dealing with small or delicate samples, as well as when evaluating variations in hardness within a material’s different phases or structures.
This allows for a more detailed and localised analysis compared to standard hardness tests, leading to a deeper understanding of how materials behave under different conditions and environments.
The meticulous nature of microhardness testing enables practitioners to identify subtle differences in hardness distribution, helping to pinpoint potential weak points, defects, or variations within the material’s structure.
As a result, this level of detail enhances the precision of material characterisation and enables more informed decision-making in areas such as material selection, process optimisation, and quality control.
Discover the hidden strength within materials with microhardness testing!
Get in touch today! Get in touch today! Get in touch today!Our Microhardness Tests
Vickers Microhardness
The Vickers microhardness test uses a pyramid-shaped indenter applying a constant load, specifically on delicate samples. Vickers microhardness testing is particularly well-suited for fragile samples that demand very low loads.
We carry out Vickers Micro-hardness testing to the following standards:
- BS EN ISO 6507-1:2018
- ASTM E384 Micro indentations
- Micro-hardness Vickers tests (HV0.1)
Knoop Microhardness
Knoop testing uses an elongated pyramid-shaped diamond to press into the material’s surface, creating a measurable impression that yields a specific hardness result. The distinctive long and narrow shape of this diamond is well-suited for examining various phases within a material, including Austenite/Ferrite phases in duplex materials or assessing hardness differences within banded microstructures.
We offer Knoop hardness testing to the following standards:
- ISO 4545-1:2018
Microhardness testing is ideal for smaller samples or fragile materials
Microhardness testing is widely employed in materials science, metallurgy, and quality control for various purposes, including:
- Thin Film Evaluation: Assessing the hardness of thin films or coatings on substrates.
- Phase Identification: Determining variations in hardness between different phases or constituents within a material.
- Heat Treatment Assessment: Evaluating the effectiveness of heat treatments on localized areas of a material.
- Microstructure Analysis: Studying the hardness of specific microstructural features in metals or alloys.
- Small-Scale Sample Testing: Testing small or delicate samples where traditional hardness tests may not be practical.
Microhardness testing provides valuable insights into the mechanical properties of materials on a smaller scale, allowing for more detailed and localised analysis compared to standard hardness tests.
Related Services
Why Choose Us?
35,000 satisfied customers
We've built a strong reputation for providing exceptional service to over 35,000 satisfied customers from diverse industries. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has resulted in long-standing partnerships and unwavering trust.
800+ expert engineers
Our team of over 800 skilled engineers possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of disciplines. Their deep understanding of your equipment and operating conditions ensures that they deliver proactive solutions that optimise asset performance and minimise downtime
Accredited Service
Our engineers are highly qualified and experienced, and our services are accredited by a number of regulating bodies. This means that you can be confident that you are receiving the best possible service.
Sectors we work with
Contact us today!
