Definition

Diamond Indenter is a tool, the functional part of which is a natural (ND) or monocrystalline (MCD) diamond, cut according to the testing methods.

Depending on the hardness testing method, diamond indenters are manufactured with different face angles and geometry: 

· Rockwell - spheroconic diamond with the face angle of 120° and corresponding radius;

· Vickers - three faceted diamond pyramid with the face angle of 136°;

· Micro Vickers - four faceted diamond pyramid with the face angle of 136°, for microhardness testing;

· Knoop - rhombus-shaped diamond with the face angle of 172.5° and relevant point requirements.

Application

Indenter, as a tip of the testing machine, is used to determine the mechanical properties and measure the hardness of a material sample under the given load and its own weight.

The indenter tip is pressed into the test surface of the sample. The conclusions about the level of hardness are based on the parameters of the impression left on the sample after the application of the indenter. Some of the used parameters are depth, area, and volume of the impression.