1. What is Vickers Hardness?

The Vickers hardness test (HV) measures material hardness by pressing a diamond pyramid indenter into the material under a specific load and measuring the diagonal length of the resulting impression. It's suitable for all materials, from soft metals to hard ceramics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Vickers hardness formula and conversion equations:

Where:

• \( HV \) — Vickers hardness number
• \( P \) — Applied load (kgf)
• \( d \) — Mean diagonal length of the indentation (mm)

Conversion Formulas:

• Brinell (HB) = 0.95 × HV
• Rockwell B (HRB) = 0.0006 × HV² - 0.121 × HV + 100.4
• Rockwell C (HRC) = 0.0001 × HV² - 0.024 × HV + 20.7
• Knoop (HK) = 1.11 × HV

3. Importance of Hardness Conversion

Details: Different industries use different hardness scales. Converting between scales helps compare materials tested with different methods and ensures compliance with various standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Vickers hardness (required). You can optionally enter applied load and/or diagonal length for verification. Select the hardness scale you want to convert to.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the typical load for Vickers testing?
A: Common loads range from 1-120 kgf for macrohardness and 1-1000 gf for microhardness testing.

Q2: Why are conversions approximate?
A: Different hardness tests measure different material properties. Conversions are empirical and may vary slightly for different materials.

Q3: When should I measure the diagonal directly?
A: For precise results, always measure the diagonal under a microscope. The calculator can estimate it if unknown.

Q4: What materials is Vickers testing best for?
A: Vickers is versatile for metals, ceramics, thin materials, and case-hardened layers due to its small indentation.

Q5: How accurate are Rockwell conversions?
A: Rockwell conversions are least accurate as they measure depth not area. For critical applications, test directly in the desired scale.