Diamond pyramid indenter
A diamond pyramid indenter has a square base and a defined tip angle made of single-crystal diamond. It is used in Vickers testing to measure material hardness. Its high shape stability prevents deformation under test load.
Physico-Chemical Mechanism of Action
The diamond pyramid indenter consists of a single-crystal diamond that is ground into a pyramid with a defined tip angle. In Vickers testing, it is pressed into a material under a known load, creating a square indentation. The size of this indentation is measured and used to calculate hardness.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
The high shape stability of the diamond pyramid indenter prevents it from deforming under the test load. This ensures accurate hardness measurement. A missing or defective indenter can lead to inaccurate results and thus to misdiagnosis of material problems in the welding process.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
Use a diamond pyramid indenter with a defined tip angle (usually 136 degrees) for Vickers testing. Press the material under a load of 2.0 kg for a time of 10 seconds. Measure the diagonals of the square indentation and calculate the hardness according to the Vickers formula. Ensure the indenter is not deformed and always used in a clean condition.