Covers Knoop and Vickers microindentation hardness using light loads for thin coatings, welds, and small features. Emphasizes surface preparation, optical measurement, and reporting for microhardness scales.
ASTM E384
Revision: 2022
Material testing
Standard test method for microindentation hardness of materials
Covers Knoop and Vickers microindentation hardness using light loads for thin coatings, welds, and small features. Emphasizes surface preparation, optical measurement, and reporting for microhardness scales.
Test method
A controlled light force is applied to a polished surface; indentation diagonals or long diagonals are measured with a calibrated microscope to compute hardness at micro scales.
Specimen requirements
Metallographic preparation is typically required: flat, scratch-free surface with sufficient contrast for diagonal measurement. Mounting is common for edge retention; vibration isolation improves repeatability.
Microindentation testing is essential when bulk hardness methods cannot resolve local zones.