Conventional hardness testing of materials, particularly metals, alloys, and to some extent ceramics, is one of the most direct and accurate means of obtaining a measure of mechanical properties for product quality control.
 
When a precise measurement of hardness is required on small areas such as sealing surfaces, or the grains revealed in polished and etched metallographic sections, then a micro hardness test is warranted. This test, often using a small diamond indenter and a load as low as 100grams, can provide crucial information not accessible by conventional Rockwell, Brinell, or Vickers hardness testers.
​
Tests such as Rockwell B, Rockwell C, or Brinell, uses loads of 60kgf and 100kgf. On the other hand, micro hardness testing uses low loads such as100g and 200g.This enables areas as small as individual grains of metal alloys to be measured. Our laboratory micro hardness tester can employ either a small Vickers diamond indenter or Brinell ball. We normally measure in VPN (Vickers Pyramid Numeral) as alloys with which a wide range of hardnesses can be tested.