The mechanical surface properties testing platform Anton Paar Step 500

Trade name
The mechanical surface properties testing platform Anton Paar Step 500
Technical description

The mechanical surface properties testing platform from Anton Paar company model Step 500 is equipped with:

  • NHT3 tester (nano hardness tester);
  • MCT3 tester (micro combi tester);
  • optical head providing magnification of 5,20,50,100 times;
  • anti-vibration table, movable in x (215 mm), y (75 mm), z (30 mm) axes.

The Nanoindenter NHT3 is a precision instrument designed to determine the mechanical properties of materials and thin films at the nanometer scale. The NHT3 complies with ASTM-E2546 standard for nanoindenters, while the MCT3 module complies with ASTM: C1624, E2546, G171 and ISO: 14577, 20502, 27307.

The micromechanical properties are determined by the deformation of the material as a result of indenting the sample with an indenter. The value of the loading load and the penetration depth of the indenter tip are recorded continuously during the entire cycle (loading and unloading). Properties such as hardness, Young's modulus, creep time, and fracture toughness are determined from the load vs. displacement curve plotted. Using minimum loading forces on the indenter, it is possible to perform measurements at depths of several hundred nanometers, which is especially important when testing thin films where the influence of the substrate on the determined properties should be eliminated. MCT module allows to perform scratch tests.

The platform offers high repositioning accuracy (<1 µm) over the entire distance range and synchronizes the position of the video microscope with the head indenter.

Conditions for providing infrastructure

After contacting the laboratory manager

Type of accreditation / certificate:
Not applicable
Access type
External
Research capabilities

The device allows:

  • determination of hardness and Young's modulus of soft, hard, brittle and ductile (plastic) materials
  • performing scratch-test

 

Last update date
Feb. 13, 2024, 1:08 p.m.
Year of commissioning
2020
Measurement capabilities

NHT:

indenter loading force setting range 0.1-500 mN

accuracy of penetration depth measurement 0.01 nm

accuracy of indenter loading force measurement 0.5 μN

sample positioning 1 μm

MCT:

indenter loading force setting range 0.05-30 N

accuracy of penetration depth measurement 0.03 nm

accuracy of indenter loading force measurement 6 μN

sample positioning 1 μm

 

Photos
Anton Paar Step 500
Anton Paar Step 500
Anton Paar Step 500 instrument measuring heads
Anton Paar Step 500 instrument measuring heads
NHT head during the test
NHT head during the test