Friction effect in low load hardness testing of iron

Abstract

Vickers hardness tests were carried out on specimens of iron in a cold rolled or annealed condition to investigate apparent variation of hardness in the load range 15 g–20 kg. This hardness variation was markedly reduced by lubrication. Therefore, it is suggested that the indentation size effect in these conditions is controlled by friction. Strain hardening seemed to be an important secondary factor.MST/1023