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Unlike the classic Vickers hardness test, the UCI method does not depend on a reference plate for calibration. A differential frequency between the vibration of the resonator and that of the indenter is directly proportional to the hardness.

This non-destructive testing method allows for measuring in places that are difficult to access with traditional testing methods, such as ion-nitrided stamping dies and molds, weld and heat-affected zones, and gear tooth flanks.

Non-destructive

Portable UCI Hardness Tester NOVOTEST T-UD3 allows the user to measure the hardness of small items, objects with a thin wall or complex forms. It also is ideal for measuring the hardness of surface-hardened layers. This device leaves much smaller prints (imprints) than the majority of workbench Vickers testers do.

Unlike traditional testing methods which are destructive, our ultrasonic contact impedance method is non-destructive. A vibration bar with a 136-degree diamond at the end is depressed into the test material at a fixed load. This results in an increase of the vibration frequency which is directly converted into a hardness value.

The test result is digitally displayed and can be saved as a data file. This is suitable for incoming goods inspection, mix-up checks, production controls and other quality assurance functions during manufacturing. The measurement data can be stored and used for comparison at any time. In addition, the results can be converted to other common hardness scales.

Fast

Ultrasonic contact impedance testing works in a similar way as Vickers testing but with the added advantage of nondestructive measurements. The test result is immediately available and can be converted to all common Rockwell scales (Rockwell C, Rockwell B, Brinell, Leeb).

A mechanical resonator vibrating longitudinally in resonance and with a Vickers diamond at its tip is coupled via dynamic coupling to the sample material. This leads to an increase in the vibration frequency and hardness value HV of the test material, which can be measured immediately once the specified test load has been achieved.

This allows for very fast and accurate measurement, even with thin-walled or complex parts, in difficult-to-reach test positions and challenging component geometries. Typical applications are weld inspection, cast materials and heat-affected zones, ion-nitride stamping dies and molds, forms, presses, thin-walled structures and parts, bearings and tooth flanks. The SONODUR 3 offers many customization options and additional functions for quality assurance, which can be activated using a PC software package.

Accurate

The ultrasonic contact impedance hardness testing method utilizes a mechanical resonator, usually a vibration bar with a 136-degree diamond at the end, which is brought into contact with the test material. This produces a change in the frequency of the resonator when under load, and this change is directly proportional to the material hardness.

The difference in the vibrating frequency is measured at the touch point, and the hardness value is calculated using a formula based on the elastic modulus of the resonator, the differential frequency, and the tested sample’s hardness scale.

The UCI hardness tester is easy to use and provides fast, accurate results. This nondestructive method can be used on small items, thin-walled work pieces or complex forms and is ideal for welding inspection, hardness control of metal coatings and ion-nitrided stamping dies and molds. It is also a great option for taking hardness measurements on positions that cannot be reached with traditional test methods, such as tooth flanks and gear root shoulders.

Portable

Portable testers are smaller than traditional large stationary hardness testing equipment and allow the user to take the unit directly to the worksite. This eliminates the need to ship and haul the material being tested back and forth between locations, saving on transportation and insurance costs.

These small portable testers usually employ LEEB rebound or ultrasonic contact impedance (UCI) methods to rapidly determine metal hardness and recalculate the results into common Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers and Shore test scales. Most digital units display the measured hardness value directly on the device screen and save the results for later review.

UCI is a superficial determination, measuring only the hardness condition of the surface contacted and not reflecting the state of the material at subsurface locations. However, the method is nondestructive, so it provides a reliable and valuable alternative to destructive tests such as tensile strength. It is the ideal tool for weld inspection, hardness control of welded metal parts and components, and measurement of difficult to reach areas such as tooth flanks or gear roots.