Shimadzu Microhardness Tester Type M, Japan
The Shimadzu hardness testing microscope allows measurements to be carried out without causing destructive damage to the part. The hardness is determined using the Vickers method with a diamond pyramid.
The test specimen is placed on a stage that can be moved in two directions. The procedure consists of pressing a regular four-sided diamond pyramid of standard size into the test material for a defined period of time. The force applied by the diamond is determined by laboratory weights of different masses. The set includes weights of 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g, 500 g, and 1000 g. When the button is pressed, the weight with the pyramid is lowered automatically, and the diamond then presses into the material.
The contact time is also controlled and can be selected using five buttons on the device: 5 sec, 10 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec, and 45 sec. After the set time, the weight is raised again, and the indentation must be measured using the microscope, whose eyepiece contains two scales. By measuring the length of the diagonal of the square indentation left by the diamond pyramid, the hardness value is determined.
The massive base includes a level to precisely determine horizontal alignment. The instrument is highly accurate, and even the slightest deviation in repeated tests is minimized.
The Shimadzu microhardness tester can be used to determine the hardness of various materials, including metals, ceramics, glass, and others.
