The Vickers hardness test was developed in the early 1920s and uses a pyramid-shaped indenter made of diamond. It is based on the principle that impressions made by this indenter are geometrically similar regardless of load. Accordingly, loads of various size are applied, depending on the hardness of the material to be measured. The Vickers Hardness (HV) is then determined from the formula

$\{\backslash it\; HV\}=\; 1.854\backslash ,\{\backslash frac\; \{F\}\}$

where F= applied load, kg; and D= the mean of the two diagonals of the impression made by the indenter, in mm. The Vickers test can be used for all metals and has one of the widest scales among hardness tests.

The corresponding units of HV are then kgf per mm squared. To convert a Vickers hardness number in SI units (MPa or GPa) one needs converting the force applied from kgf to newtons and the area from mm² do m² to give results in pascals.

A pratical method to convert HV to SI units:

See also

• Brinell hardness test
• Rockwell scale
• Knoop hardness test
• Hardness comparison

Dimensionless numbers | Materials science

Härte#H.C3.A4rtepr.C3.BCfung nach Vickers | Vickers (hardheid) | ビッカース硬さ