Quality of Microhardness Measurement Process

Abstract

The capability of microhardness measurement process was assessed by MSA - Gear Repeatability and Reproducibility method. Experimental sample materials were: annealed ferrite, semiconductor-grade copper and aluminium. The measurement system consisted of microhardness tester Hanemann, type Mod D32 coupled with Neophot 32 optical microscope. Measurements were conducted by two appraisers. Obtained experimental data was evaluated by standard MSA process, using software Palstat CAQ, modul MSA. The assessment of the GRR capability indexes led to the conclusion that measurement process non-capability is typical for microhardness testing and it is also influenced by the type of tested material.