Components of a vickers hardness value:
1. The numeric hardness value (between 1 and 3000);
2. The two letters "HV", standing for "Hardness according to Vickers";
3. The applied test load in kgf;
4. According to ISO 6507: The dwell time of the test load, but only if this is not between 10 and 15 seconds (uncommon in practice)
Examples
640 HV30
- 640 …hardness value
- HV …as per Vickers
- 30 …with test load of 30 kgf (or test force of 294.2 N )
610 HV10/30
- 610 …hardness value
- HV …as per Vickers
- 10 …with test load of 10 kgf (or test force of 98.07 N)
- 30 …dwell time to test force outside recommended duration, in this case: 30 seconds
