Martens hardness testing

The Martens hardness testing, formerly known as Universal hardness testing or also known as Instrumented indentation test fo r hardness, respectively, gives the opportunity fo r ascertaining fu r th e r important characteristics o f materials mechanical properties in a qu ic k and comparatively economic way. For micro-components or layer-substrate laminations, material characteristic parameters such as elastic modulus, y ie ld or tensile strength cannot be established a t all or only in a great deal o f effort. Strength has fo r example been estimated fo r a long time by using the (correlative) scale to (micro-)hardness. During Martens hardness testing, the test force a n d the penetration depth is recorded during the whole test period. Test force dependent indentation curves a n d their evaluated characteristics are the results o f the computer-run measurement. Therefore calibration o f reference blocks is the prerequisite fo r comparability o f results. Commercial reference blocks fo r Vickers hardness were examined a nd compared with homogeneity demands fo r the Martens hardness a n d their HM-parameters. © 2001 Carl Hanser Verlag. All rights reserved.