Brinell and Vickers Hardness Measurement Using Image Processing and Analysis Techniques

Mechanical hardness testing is fundamental in the evaluation of the mechanical properties of metallic materials due to the fact that the hardness values allow one to determine the wear resistance of the material involved, as well as the approximate values of its ductility and flow tension, among a number of other key characteristics. As a result, the main objective of the present work has been the development and analysis of a computational methodology capable of determining the Brinell and Vickers hardness values from hardness indentation images, which are based on image processing and analysis algorithms. In order to validate the methodology that has been developed, comparisons of the results resulting from the consideration of ten indentation image samples obtained through the conventional manual hardness measurement approach and a computational methodology have been carried out. This analysis allows one to conclude that the semi-automatic measurement of Vickers and Brinell hardnesses by the computational approach is easier, faster, and less dependent on the operator's subjectivity.