Subodh Material Technologists provides precision Microhardness Testing for metals, alloys, weldments, thin sections, heat-treated materials and localized regions where conventional hardness testing may not be suitable. Our microhardness testing capability uses precision Mitutoyo equipment to perform localized Vickers hardness measurements with controlled test loads and high-resolution optical measurement.

Microhardness testing is particularly useful for evaluating small or thin sections, weld metal, heat-affected zones (HAZ), case-hardened regions and specific microstructural areas. The technique provides localized hardness measurements that support material characterization, welding evaluation, heat-treatment assessment and metallurgical investigations.

What is Microhardness Testing? 

Microhardness testing is a localized hardness measurement technique used to determine the hardness of small or specific areas of a metallic material. It uses a small diamond indenter and controlled test force to produce a very small indentation, which is measured using a high-resolution microscope.

Unlike conventional hardness testing, microhardness testing is particularly suitable for thin sections, small components, weld regions, heat-affected zones (HAZ), surface-treated areas and specific microstructural regions where a larger conventional hardness indentation may not be appropriate.

Vickers microhardness values are commonly reported using designations such as HV0.1, HV0.2, HV0.5 and HV1, depending on the applied test force. The appropriate test force and measurement locations are selected according to the applicable standard, material and customer requirements.

Microhardness Testing as per ASTM E384 

STM E384 is the standard used for microindentation hardness testing of metallic materials, including Vickers and Knoop hardness testing. It specifies requirements for the test method, indentation measurement and evaluation of microhardness results.

At Subodh Material Technologists, microhardness testing is performed with reference to the applicable requirements of ASTM E384, with suitable test force, indentation location and measurement conditions selected according to the material, specimen geometry and customer or project requirements.

ASTM E384 microhardness testing is particularly useful where localized hardness information is required, including welded joints, heat-affected zones, thin sections, surface-treated materials and specific microstructural regions.

Applications of Microhardness Testing 

Microhardness testing provides localized hardness measurements for applications where detailed hardness information is required at specific locations within a material. It is widely used for weld evaluation, heat-treatment assessment, surface treatment, thin sections and metallurgical investigations.

• Weld Metal and HAZ Evaluation – Measurement of hardness across weld metal, heat-affected zones and base metal.

• Weld Hardness Profiling – Evaluation of localized hardness variations across welded joints.

• Heat Treatment Evaluation – Assessment of hardness changes resulting from heat-treatment processes.

• Case Depth and Surface Treatment – Hardness profiling from the treated surface into the underlying material.

• Thin Sections and Small Components – Localized hardness measurement where conventional hardness testing may not be suitable.

• Metallurgical Investigation – Correlation of localized hardness with microstructure and material condition.

• Material Characterization – Comparative evaluation of different material conditions, processing conditions and heat treatments.

• Quality Control and Research – Hardness verification and material development studies.

Microhardness Testing of Welded Joints 

Microhardness testing is widely used to evaluate hardness variations across welded joints, including the weld metal, fusion zone, heat-affected zone (HAZ) and base metal.

Localized hardness measurements can help identify changes in hardness resulting from welding, heat treatment and variations in microstructure. A series of measurements can be taken at defined locations across the welded region to establish a microhardness profile.

At Subodh Material Technologists, microhardness testing can be combined with metallographic examination to correlate localized hardness measurements with the microstructure of the weld and heat-affected zone.

Microhardness testing of welded joints can support:

• Welding procedure qualification and evaluation

• Assessment of weld metal and HAZ hardness

• Evaluation of heat-treated welded components

• Investigation of localized hardness variations

• Metallurgical characterization of welded joints

• Comparative evaluation of different welding and heat-treatment conditions

Microhardness Testing for Case Depth & Heat Treatment 

Microhardness testing is useful for evaluating hardness variations resulting from heat treatment and surface-hardening processes. Localized measurements can be taken at defined distances from the surface to establish a hardness profile through the treated and underlying material.

Microhardness profiling can support the evaluation of case-hardened components, carburized materials, nitrided materials and other surface-treated components, where hardness changes progressively with depth.

Microhardness testing can also be used to assess the effects of heat treatment on localized material properties and to compare hardness variations between different processing conditions.

Typical applications include:

• Case-depth and hardness-profile evaluation

• Carburized components

• Nitrided components

• Surface-hardened materials

• Heat-treated steels and alloys

• Evaluation of hardness gradients

• Comparison of different heat-treatment conditions

• Metallurgical investigation of treated components

Microhardness & Metallographic Evaluation

Microhardness testing can be combined with metallographic examination to correlate localized hardness measurements with the underlying microstructure of a material.

Metallography can help identify phases, microstructural features, weld regions and heat-treatment conditions, while microhardness testing provides quantitative hardness measurements at specific locations.

This combined approach is particularly useful for:

• Weld metal and heat-affected zone evaluation

• Heat-treated materials

• Surface-treated and case-hardened components

• Microstructural characterization

• Investigation of localized hardness variations

• Comparative evaluation of material conditions

• Metallurgical investigations

At Subodh Material Technologists, microhardness and metallography can be used together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between material microstructure and localized hardness.

Microhardness Testing Capability

Subodh Material Technologists provides localized Vickers microhardness testing for metals, alloys, welded joints, thin sections, heat-treated materials and other applications requiring precise hardness measurements at specific locations.

Our Mitutoyo Microhardness Testing Machine provides controlled test loads from 10 gf to 1000 gf with high-resolution optical measurement. The capability supports localized hardness evaluation using suitable Vickers test forces according to the applicable standard, material condition and customer requirements.

Microhardness testing can be performed for:

• Vickers microhardness measurements

• HV0.1, HV0.2, HV0.5 and other applicable test forces

• Weld metal, HAZ and base metal

• Thin sections and small components

• Heat-treated materials

• Case-hardened and surface-treated materials

• Metallurgical and material characterization

Testing is performed with reference to applicable standards, including ASTM E384, and results are reported with the relevant test conditions and measured hardness values.

Why Choose Subodh Material Technologists?

Subodh Material Technologists provides precision material testing and characterization services for metals, alloys, welded components and engineering materials.

Our microhardness testing capability is supported by precision Mitutoyo equipment, experienced technical personnel and integrated mechanical testing, metallography, chemical analysis and corrosion testing capabilities.

Key advantages include:

• Precision Microhardness Equipment – Mitutoyo microhardness testing system for localized Vickers hardness measurements.

• Wide Testing Capability – Test loads from 10 gf to 1000 gf for localized hardness evaluation.

• Metallurgical Expertise – Microhardness testing can be correlated with metallographic examination and material condition.

• Weld Evaluation – Microhardness profiling across weld metal, HAZ and base metal.

• Standards-Based Testing – Testing with reference to applicable international standards, including ASTM E384.

• Integrated Testing Facility – Mechanical, metallurgical, chemical and corrosion testing capabilities within one laboratory.

• NABL Accredited Laboratory – Subodh Material Technologists is accredited as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017, TC-8225.