Scope:

The Vickers indentation hardness of advanced ceramics is measured using the ASTM C1327 test methodology. The test standard specifies a test force that is large enough to bring hardness close to or near the cracking level, but not large enough to cause severe cracking. The Vickers hardness test is appropriate for assessing both hard and soft materials, such as steel, ceramics, and plastic.

Test Procedure:

A calibrated equipment is employed in this ASTM C1327 test technique. This machine embeds a pyramidal diamond indenter with a pointed square base and specific face angles into the material’s surface. This is done while a predefined force is already being applied and the surface-projected diagonals of the resulting impression are measured after the load is withdrawn.

Specimen Size : 

The surface of the ASTM C1327 test specimen is ground and polished. The specimen has a  roughness of less than 0.1 µm and a thickness of 0.50 mm.

Data:

As per ASTM C1327, Vickers hardness is calculated by dividing the applied load by the area of contact with the four faces of the undeformed indenter. 

The Vickers hardness of ceramics normally decreases as the size or force of the indentation increases.

Conclusion:

The ASTM C1327 test protocol is used to assess the Vickers indentation hardness of advanced ceramics.