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Dr. Kleesattel developed the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) hardness test method in 1961.
UCI testers are portable electronic devices that use a spring to apply approximately a 5kg force
to a Vickers indenter that is attached to the end of a resonating rod. As the resonating rod
and Vickers indenter penetrate the test sample a frequency shift will occur in the rod. The
amount of the frequency shift is measured and can be related to the depth of penetration of
the Vickers indenter into the sample. The results are electronically converted to other
hardness scales such as Vickers and Rockwell. UCI instruments can test a wide variety of
materials using different conversions as long as the test sample has a smooth surface and is
at least 0.5in thick.
Standards
Currently there is no ASTM standard for UCI testing, however, one is being developed.
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