Quality Test & Inspection: Small Technology Plays Big Role
Technology has made micro-hardness testing easier to do and generates more accurate results.
Hardness tests are performed on myriad materials and at a variety of scales, such as Rockwell HRC, HRB and superficial scales. Microindentation, formally referred to as microhardness testing, is a method for measuring the hardness of a material using microscopic scale indentations.
Microindentation tests are the most difficult hardness tests to do automatically. Because of the light test forces frequently used for microindentation testing, the instruments used to apply the force must be more delicate and more precise than traditional Rockwell or Brinell testers. Light test forces are often required because of the size of the part. Gears for watches, for example, are too small for any other test method.