1. What is Vickers Hardness Number?

Definition: Vickers hardness (HV) is a measure of a material's resistance to plastic deformation by indentation.

Purpose: It helps materials scientists and engineers evaluate the hardness of metals, ceramics, and other materials.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( HV \) — Vickers hardness number (dimensionless)
• \( F \) — Applied force (Newtons)
• \( d \) — Average length of the two diagonals of the indentation (mm)

Explanation: The constant 1.8544 comes from the geometry of the Vickers pyramid indenter (136° angle between opposite faces).

3. Importance of Vickers Hardness Testing

Details: Vickers testing provides accurate hardness measurements across a wide range of materials and is scale-independent.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the applied force in Newtons and the average diagonal length in millimeters. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical force range for Vickers testing?
A: Common test forces range from 1 N to 30 kN, depending on material hardness and test standard.

Q2: How do I measure the diagonal length accurately?
A: Use a calibrated microscope to measure both diagonals and take the average.

Q3: What materials is Vickers testing suitable for?
A: Metals, ceramics, thin sheets, small parts, and case-hardened surfaces.

Q4: How does Vickers compare to other hardness scales?
A: Unlike Rockwell or Brinell, Vickers uses the same indenter for all scales and provides consistent measurements.

Q5: What's the advantage of Vickers testing?
A: It's applicable to very hard materials and thin sections, with a single scale covering all hardness ranges.