Defines the application of the Vickers and Knoop microhardness tests to metallic coatings. It is applicable where macrohardness testing is not suitable because of the large test forces required, that is, where indenter forces generally need to be below 10 N as for electrodeposited coatings, autocatalytic coatings, sprayed coatings and anodic coatings on aluminium.

This International Standard describes the application of the Vickers and Knoop micro-indentation tests for determining the microhardness of metallic and other inorganic coatings. This method is applicable where indenter forces generally need to be below 10 N such as for electrodeposited coatings, autocatalytic coatings, sprayed coatings and anodic coatings on aluminium. It is applicable to measurements normal to the coated surface as described in 7.4 and to measurements on cross-sections as described in 7.3.

NOTE 1 Attention is drawn to ISO 4545, ISO 6507-1, ISO 6507-2 and ISO 6507-3, which describe Knoop and Vickers hardness testing of metallic materials. Other International Standards for instrumental indentation testing, the verification of microindentation testing instruments and for the verification of reference blocks to be used with such instruments are currently being developed (e.g. ISO 14577 Parts 1 to 4).

NOTE 2 Usually for hardness measurements of coating test forces in the microhardness range in accordance with ISO 6507-1 are used. However, since the largest possible test force should be selected, test forces of the low force and hardness ranges may also be used.