Hardness

The hardness of a surface is a key characteristic that significantly influences the performance and resistance of a material. It refers to the degree of resistance that a surface has to penetration or deformation. The hardness of a surface is determined by various factors, including the material properties, the manufacturing process and any specific surface treatments.

In materials technology, hardness is an important parameter that provides information about the strength and durability of a material. The Vickers hardness test, in which a diamond pyramid tip is pressed onto the surface under defined pressure, is a cross-material hardness test method. The resulting indentation size provides information about the hardness of the material.

The hardness of a surface is of particular relevance in areas of application where wear, abrasion or high mechanical loads occur. Workpieces in the mechanical engineering industry, tools or vehicle components are examples where a high surface hardness is advantageous in order to ensure a longer service life and better performance.

Surface hardness can also be specifically influenced by various processes, including heat treatments such as hardening. This process improves the hardness of workpieces through controlled heating and rapid cooling. Furthermore, in certain applications, such as electroplating, hardening additives are used to optimize the physical properties of the deposited metal layers.

The ability of a surface to withstand high mechanical stress makes hardness a key factor in materials science and industrial production. The targeted influencing and control of surface hardness helps to meet the requirements of a wide range of applications and maximize the performance of materials.