Microhardness Tester

Test forces

All the instruments offer 12 steps of test force: 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000, 2000 p (gf) covering the range of test forces required by the standards ASTM E-384, EN ISO 6507 and EN ISO 4545. At the touch of a button, the test force is automatically selected. The test force can also be changed by the computer when running automated measurement cycles and as a consequence allowing different test forces in the inspection.

Focus finder

The newly introduced focus finder is available with all 3 Leica Plan objectives and enables the operator to detect the focus position very quickly. This is particularly helpful in cases of highly polished samples with few details such as steel etc.

Approach velocity

For specific applications depending on elastic and plastic properties of the material, the approach velocity of the indenter can be selected between 25 and 60 µm/s.

Optics The infinity corrected Leica Plan objectives 10x and 50x are used according to International Standards, objective 100x is optional. The measuring eyepiece with field of view 16 mm offers an optimized, ergonomic working position. Easily exchangeable aperture diaphragms enable the operator to optimize the contrast according to his applications. The high quality of the optics ensures that indentations of small loads can be measured.

Printer/PC interfaces

According to the desired peripheral instrument (PC or printer), RS 232 and Centronics or USB and ethernet interfaces are offered.

Results and data storage

For each test, the measured diagonal lengths and the hardness value with test force are given as well as tolerance judgement, statistics (mean value, maximum/minimum, standard deviation). The test results can be stored as well as the specimen description and operator name.

Motorized turret

All of the models are equipped with a motorized turret. After choosing the indentation spot, the indenter is brought into its working position at the touch of the button "Start indentation". After finishing the indentation process, the previously chosen objective is automatically swiveled in and measurement (either by the operator with measuring eyepiece or by PC with image analysis) can immediately start.