Zwick Roell Indentec, a UK based manufacturer of hardness testing products, has developed a new universal hardness testing machine incorporating the latest closed-loop technology to apply the test forces.
The manufacturer claims that the closed-loop control system ensures a much lower signal-to-noise ratio than a traditional load cell and provides a much greater consistency of test force application.
Zwick points out that due to the versatility of the instrument it is particularly suited to hardness testing applications in general test laboratories, R&D facilities and academia, where a single machine will facilitate tests normally requiring three individual machines and therefore represents a significant cost saving.
The machine caters for an extremely wide range of test forces of between 0.5kgf to 250kgf and incorporates a unique ‘4+4’ turret, capable of carrying up to 4 lenses and 4 indenters simultaneously, to optimise changeover times between different test methods.
The turret is also designed to facilitate testing in hard to reach positions by employing a unique vertical rotation mechanism which also offers an adjustable approach velocity. Incorporating a technically advanced displacement transducer, the machine is capable of measuring resolution of 0.1 Rockwell point.
The versatile universal testing machine accommodates testing according to Vickers, Knoop, Rockwell and Brinell principles in accordance with the relevant ISO and ASTM standards. In addition, the instrument is capable of testing plastic samples to ISO 2039-1 & ISO 2039-2 standards.
Zwick claims that operator subjectivity error can be eliminated by using their ZHµ.HD software to display the entire test specimen surface which also has the ability to precisely position test indentations using powerful annotation tools. Analysis of grain size, porosity, inclusions and coating thickness is possible via the optional ‘VisionLite’ software, dispensing with the need for a supplementary microscope.
The manufacturer indicates that test results are available in graphical and/or tabular format for export to a spreadsheet application of the users choice or to Zwick testXpert ll software.