Metallic materials - Vickers hardness test - Part 1: Test method
1 Scope
This document specifies the principle, testing machine, test pieces, procedure, uncertainty of the results and test report of Vickers hardness test for metallic materials.
This document specifies the Vickers hardness test method for the three different ranges of test force for metallic materials (see Table 1).
Table 1 Ranges of test force
Ranges of test force/N Hardness symbol Designation
F≥49.03 ≥HV5 Vickers hardness test
1.961≤F<49.03 HV0.2 to 0.009807≤F<1.961 HV0.001 to
The Vickers hardness test is specified in this document for lengths of indentation diagonals between 0.020mm and 1.400mm. Using this method to determine Vickers hardness from smaller indentations is outside the scope of this document as results would suffer from large uncertainties due to the limitations of optical measurement system and imperfections in indenter geometry.
A periodic verification method is specified for routine checking of the testing machine in service by the user.
This document is also applicable to hard metals, other sintered carbides as well as metallic and other inorganic coatings including electrodeposited coatings, autocatalytic coatings, sprayed coatings and anodic coatings on aluminium.
This document is applicable to indentation measurements normal to the coating surface and to measurements on cross-sections, provided that the characteristics of the coating (smoothness, thickness, etc.) permit accurate readings of the diagonal of the indentation.
This document is not applicable for coatings with thickness less than 0.030mm when testing normal to the coating surface and coatings with thickness less than 0.100mm when testing a cross-section of the coating. GB/T 21838.1 can be used for the determination of hardness from smaller indentations.
For Vickers hardness test for specific materials or products, relevant standards exist.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 4340.2 Metallic materials - Vickers hardness test - Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing machines (GB/T 4340.2-2012, ISO 6507-2:2005, MOD)
GB/T 4340.3 Metallic materials - Vickers hardness test - Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks (GB/T 4340.3-2012, ISO 6507-3:2005, MOD)
JJG 151 Verification regulation of metallic Vickers hardness testers
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
4 Symbols and designations
4.1 Symbols and designations used in this document
See Table 2.
Foreword Introduction 1 Scope 2 Normative references 3 Terms and definitions 4 Symbols and designations 5 Principle 6 Testing machine 7 Test piece 8 Procedure 9 Uncertainty of the results 10 Test report Annex A (Normative) Minimum thickness of the test piece in relation to the test force and hardness Annex B (Normative) Tables of correction factors for use in tests made on curved surfaces Annex C (Normative) Determining the Vickers hardness of metallic and other inorganic coatings Annex D (Normative) Procedure for periodic verification of the testing machine, diagonal measuring system and indenter by the user Annex E (Informative) Adjustment of Köhler illumination systems Annex F (Informative) Uncertainty of the measured hardness values Annex G (Informative) Vickers hardness measurement traceability Annex H (Informative) CCM - Working group on hardness Bibliography
