Hardness measurement at constant depth using an indenter partially coated with a conducting film

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A new method for determining the hardness of electrically conducting materials is described. A pyramidal diamond indenter is partly coated with a conducting layer, the region around the tip being left uncoated. In use, the load on the indenter is gradually increased until the coating makes electrical contact with the sample under test. The hardness is then directly proportional to the load at which the resistance falls to a finite value. The principle of the method has been demonstrated successfully using a gold-coated indenter.