Micro Hardness Tester Instrumented Indentation nano-indenter nanoindenter

Micro Hardness Tester

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Features of the Micro Hardness Tester

Hardness & Young's modulus
Unique Z automatic motorized approach
Integrated Video Zoom Microscope for easy determination of optical failure
Depth versus load curves
Continuous rate of loading for depth versus load curves
Automatic operation under Windows XP
Spherical, Vickers, Knoop and Berkovitch micro indentations
Creep, stiffness and fatigue tests
Sample Heating and cooling holder from -196C to 400C
Fracture toughness measurements
Mapping Option
Easy upgrade to full non-contact profiling system
Possibility to add Micro Scratch Capability.
Nano Hardness, Nano Scratch

Laboratory services available. Call 1-866-333-4674 for more information.

See our full range of hardness testers.

Introduction to the Micro Hardness Tester
The Micro Hardness Tester is a high precision instrument for the determination of the micro-mechanical properties of thin coatings and substrates. With the MHT, you can quickly determine properties such as hardness and Young's modulus on almost any type of material - soft, hard, brittle, or ductile.

Principle of Instrumented Indentation
The MHT works on the following principle: an indenter tip, with a known geometry, is driven into the sample by applying an increasing load to some preset value. The load is then gradually decreased until partial, or complete, relaxation of the sample has occurred. The load and displacement are recorded continuously throughout this process to produce a load-displacement curve from which the micro-mechanical properties such as hardness, Young's modulus, stress-strain studies, time dependant creep measurement, fracture toughness, and plastic and elastic energy of the sample material can be calculated.

Why is Nanovea Technology Different?

Independent force & depth sensors: Only Nanovea Micro Hardness Testers have independent force and depth sensors which are separately calibrated using equipment traceable to mass and length standards.

Non-contact light sensor: Contrary to competitors who use capacitor sensors attached to a mechanical arm that must touch the surface, Nanovea uses a non-contact white light sensor (Patent Pending).

The MHT covers a wide load range from 10 mN to 30 N. This load range of the instrument permits measurements of coatings down to 1 or 2 microns without the being influenced by the substrate materials. In addition, the MHT can also perform all ASTM tests as specified for standard micro-hardness testers and, therefore, bridges the gap between traditional and automated indentation techniques. Standard micro-hardness tests such as fracture toughness can now be used in a dynamic mode since the depth curve for some materials will show the initiation of cracking in the material.

Complete IBIS Instrumented Indentation Analysis Software

The software runs under Microsoft Windows XP and includes a complete set of features for data analysis:

Real-time display of Load versus Displacement curves
Automatic calculation of hardness and elastic modulus
Automatic data averaging
Multi-cycle for fatigue test
Creep measurement by holding a constant maximum load or depth over time
Mapping of indentations
Positioning of each indent with the microscope
Precise relocation of each indentation
Images from a color camera
Program each indent to a maximum depth or load
Control of loading and unloading rates and pause time
Complies with ISO 14577
Export in ASCII format
Automatic Statistical Analysis of results tabulated with standard deviation
Finite Element interface (optional)
User-friendly

Specifications of the Micro Hardness Tester
Load Range	0.04 - 40N
Load Resolution	0.4 mN
Penetration of Depth	500 µm
Depth Resolution	10 nm
X Stage	100 mm
Z Maximum Clearance	90 mm
X,Y Lateral Resolution	0.15 µm
Base Dimensions	42 x 53 x 64 cm
Video Microscope Magnification (Standard)	50x, 200x, 500x
Video Microscope Magnification (Optional)	100x, 1000x

General Applications
Semiconductor Technology Passivation Layers Metallization Bond Pads Mass Storage Protective Coatings on Magnetic Disks Magnetic Coatings on Disk Substrates Protective Coatings on CD's Optical Components Contact Lenses Eye Glass Lenses Fibre Optics Optical Scratch-Resistant Coatings Decorative coatings Evaporated Metal Coatings	Wear Resistant Coatings TiN, TiC, DLC Cutting Tools Pharmacological Tablets and Pills Implants Biological Tissue Automotive Paints and Polymers Varnishes and Finishes Windows General Engineering Rubber Resistance Touch Screen Coatings MEMS MicroElectroMechanical Systems

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For Further information fill out our on-line request form or contact us at 1-866-333-4674:

Micro Photonics Inc.
PO Box 50443
Irvine, CA 92619-0443

Micro Photonics Inc.
PO Box 3129
Allentown, PA 18106-0129