Microhardness testing applied in areas including metallography, precision mechanics, electroplating, material testing and material science. In order to determine microhardness, different shaped indents are pressed into flat material samples with a defined force. Three methods available are :

BRINELL HARDNESS
In Brinell hardness test, an indentation hardness test in which a hardmetal ball is forced into the surface of a test piece, mean diameter of the indentation is left on the surface after removal of the test force is measured.
The Brinell hardness HBW is obtained by software.

VICKERS HARDNESS
The Vickers hardness test, measure length of the diagonals of indentation left in the surface in which a Square-based diamond pyramid, having an angle of 136 degree between the opposite faces at the vertex, is forced. The Vickers hardness is obtained by dividing the test force by the area of the sloping faces of the indentation. The Vickers hardness HV is displayed by software.

KNOOP HARDNESS
The Knoop hardness test is an indentation hardness test in which a rhombic-based diamond pyramid, having an included longitudinal edge angle of 172.5 degree and an included transverse edge angle of 130 degree, is forced into the surface of a test piece. The length of the long diagonal of the indentation left in the surface after removal of the test force. The Knoop hardness HK is calculated by software.