Cost effective Vickers Hardness Tester
The Vickers Hardness Test: What Is It?
The Vickers test is one of many hardness tests used by quality assurance specialists to ascertain whether a certain material or component in a machine will work together. The Vickers test is distinctive since it was created especially to evaluate items with a limited surface area or that are very small in size. As a result, it is also known as the microhardness test.
The test’s concept is pretty straightforward. The testing device would exert pressure on the component with a set load that terminates in a diamond-tipped indenter in order to determine its strength. The Vickers test gauges a component’s strength based on the size of the depression that remains after sufficient pressure has been applied.
As a general rule, the strength and resistance of the material are inversely correlated with the size of the indentation. Simply put, the component will be more durable the smaller the indentation that is left.
Each analogue Vickers hardness tester maker will have a unique variant of the fundamental design to satisfy particular sample sizes and other requirements. However regardless of the Vickers hardness tester, the test’s fundamental principles would always be the same.
Hardness tester types
There are essentially two different options for hardness testing. Which are:
A. Benchtop – This is how conventional hardness testers are often categorized. These stationary equipment pieces are made to conduct NDT testing on materials. To conduct the test, the materials—also referred to as specimens—are placed on the tester’s anvil-shaped table. The units are intended to be placed in just one area of the lab.
The weight of these testers is a crucial feature. A bench tester would need to be mounted to the shop floor and could weigh at least 50 kg. Despite this, bench-type testers are very reliable since they use traditional scaling techniques to determine a material’s hardness.
B. Transportable Portable hardness testers are lighter, hand-carried, and equipped to test materials with various hardness scales than their bench-type counterparts. Because of this, a portable tester’s main benefit is the ability to bring the tester to the test object rather than the other way around. Hence, the need for an operator to collect, transport, and feed samples to the device is eliminated. For huge and irregularly shaped specimens that just cannot fit on your typical Bench Top tester, the portable type of equipment is quite helpful.
According to the preferences of the operator, the portable testers can be either analogue or electronic equipment. Electronic equipment is typically more accurate, minimising the possibility of human error. Every portable tester will come with a variety of features that extend their value to an operator. The capacity to store measurements and transfer them to a computer for additional processing is included in this.
Which type of device is best?
Both benchtop and portable hardness testers have benefits and drawbacks. It’s up to you to evaluate each feature they offer and choose the ones that suit you the most.
A bench type tester would be preferred if the workshop in question handles numerous manufacturing processes that need the movement of materials from various locations. A portable gadget is more suggested if, on the other hand, the workshop focuses more on quality assurance and control.
The portable Vickers hardness tester would be the better option if price were an issue. These variations have a number of characteristics that would improve an operator’s experience with the device and are less expensive to purchase. The Portable Vickers test method used by the Ultrasonic Hardness Testing device is a relative measurement method, it is important to note. The bench top approach is the more accurate choice if your specimens are smaller or better suited for metallography laboratories and the budget permits.
The final consideration is human error, which is an inevitable part of any action based on a process. You should invest in a tool that will help the user avoid mistakes, particularly when interpreting the measurements. Portable devices have an advantage in this aspect because they simply provide the measurements, rather than requiring the operator to read and comprehend what is displayed on the scale.
Do You Suggest Used Testers?
Vickers Hardness Tester that is affordable
There is no law that forbids you from obtaining old testers, even if it is suggested that you always purchase brand-new ones. Many hardness testers are long-lasting and dependable as a result, even after years of use.
If you choose to buy second hand, analogue gadgets are typically advised. As their systems are relatively simpler, they often survive longer and are simpler to fix in the event of a breakdown. Similar to digital testers, the repair procedure could be pricey and challenging.
You should also think about the function that these used devices would serve if you bought them. These can at most be used as backup testing equipment in case your main machines break down.
Nonetheless, you may always utilize an especially well-kept secondhand tester in addition to your new ones if you can find one. As a result, you can evaluate materials while they are in the production process using a variety of hardness scales.
