Micro Star 3-sided sharp indenters tip radius < 50nm. The above shows sharp point 3-sided pyramidal geometry. The defining angle a is the angle between the axis and any of the faces. The 3 faces are symmetrically placed around the axis 120° apart. The Berkovich indenter is designed to have the same area as the Vickers indenter at any given indentation depth. The modified Berkovich indenter is designed to have the same projected area as the Vickers indenter at any given indentation depth. Micro Star makes a wide range of 3-sided indenters with custom angles and flat or round ends of any compatible size.
Micro Star makes a variety of nano indenters following defined standards or custom requested geometries and dimensions. Micro Star calibration laboratory complies with the requirements of the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025. The above is an example of a nano indenter with its three parts, the diamond, the holder and the bond. Standard nano indenters and custom indenters with applicable geometry are accepted only if the pertinent dimensions and angles are within the ranges specified by the ISO 14577-2 which defines internationally accepted micro and nano indenter tolerances. There are numerous geometries available for the indenter shape such as three-sided pyramids, four sided pyramids, wedges, cones, cylinders or spheres. The tip end of the indenter can be made sharp, flat, or rounded to a cylindrical or spherical shape. Diamond and sapphire are the primary materials of Micro Star nano indenters but other hard materials can also be used such as quartz, silicone, tungsten, steel, tungsten carbide, and almost any other hard metal or ceramic. Micro Star also has conductive diamond available. Nano indenters are mounted on holders which could be the standard design from a manufacturer of nano indenting equipment, or a custom design. Micro Star can design and make the holders or use the those supplied by the customer. The holder material can be steel, titanium or other suitable material. In most cases Micro Star attaches the indenter to a holder using a rigid metal bonding process.
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Micro Star indenters maximum line of conjunction: 400nm. The above shows sharp 4-sided geometries. Most 4-sided indenters have their faces symmetrically placed around the axis 90° apart and the defining angle a is measured between the axis and each face. The standard Knoop indenter has a special geometry as shown. The apex of a sharp 4-sided pyramidal tip is typically a small line (shown on the TEM micrograph above) called the line of conjunction.
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Micro Star can provide the Berkovich, Modified Berkovich, Cube Corner, and Vickers indenters following the definitions of ISO 14577-2 2. A Calibration Certificate accompanying these indenters covers the following items pertaining to the particular indenter: a) Table of measurements. b) Uncertainty of measurements. c) Confidence level of measurements. d) Measuring methods. e) Measuring instruments. f) Inspector's signature and date.
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