Traceability for indentation measurements in Brinell-Vickers-Knoop hardness

Hardness is an important material property describing a material's resistance to localized deformation from an indenter pressing or scraping against its surface. It is determined by measuring the indentation size realised on the tested material surface. This can be done by different hardness testing methods, like the Brinell, Vickers and Knoop scales. This project will investigate the indentation measurement phenomena for the above-mentioned scales to provide a better defined, more consistent, unified, and reliable measurement and traceability methodology to overcome the inconsistency between national metrology institutes (NMIs) and lower levels of indentation (hardness) measurements. The project outcomes will be used in the next generation of hardness definitions, instrumentation and standardisation to improve the accuracy of material testing in all engineering fields, including aerospace, automotive, health, industry and research and development.