Wilson Vickers & Knoop Hardness Testers — Micro & Macro | Brinell BH3000

JH Technologies supplies the Wilson hardness tester range from Buehler — covering microhardness testing with the VH1102 and VH1202, macro Vickers hardness testing with the VH1150, and Brinell hardness testing with the BH3000. All three systems deliver indentation hardness testing to ASTM and ISO standards, with load ranges spanning 0.01kgf to 3000kgf across the family. Each tester is compatible with DiaMet hardness testing software for automated test cycles, image-based indentation measurement, and results reporting.

Wilson VH1102/VH1202: Micro Vickers and Knoop Hardness Tester

The Wilson VH1102 and VH1202 are microhardness testers for Vickers and Knoop hardness testing of small features, thin coatings, case-hardened layers, welds, and heat-affected zones. With a load range of 0.01 to 2kgf, they are suited for applications where the test area is too small for macro hardness methods — including individual microstructural phases, wire cross-sections, and surface treatment verification.

Turret: 4-position (VH1102) or 6-position (VH1202) motorized turret — fully automatic test cycle with no manual objective or indenter changes
Load range: 01 to 2kgf in selectable steps — covers HV 0.01 (HVT) through HV 2 for thin film, coating, and microstructure testing
Optical system: High-quality imaging optics paired with a precise indenting system — produces clear indentation images for accurate diagonal measurement
Load selection: Menu-controlled automatic load selection — eliminates manual load selector knob and associated operator error
Display: LCD screen with direct readout of hardness value and test statistics
DiaMet compatible: Optional DiaMet automation software adds automated indentation pattern testing, image analysis, and report generation — required for traverse hardness testing across case depth or weld cross-sections
Construction: Robust build for demanding lab and QC environments

Wilson VH1150: Macro Vickers Hardness Tester

The Wilson VH1150 is a macro Vickers hardness tester with a unique load range of 300gf to 50kgf in a single machine — eliminating the need to switch between micro and macro testers for materials that fall between the two ranges. It is suited for bulk hardness testing of hardened parts, structural steel, welds, and castings where the load must be higher than microhardness but the Vickers method (square pyramid indenter, optical measurement) is specified.

Load range: 300gf to 50kgf — bridges the gap between micro Vickers and Rockwell load ranges in a single instrument
Indenting system: Precise motorized load application for consistent indentation geometry across the full load range
Optical measurement: Integrated optics for indentation diagonal measurement — ASTM E92 and ISO 6507 compliant
DiaMet compatible: Optional DiaMet software for automated test sequences, statistical reporting, and traverses
Construction: Built for demanding QC and laboratory environments

Wilson BH3000: Brinell Hardness Tester

The Wilson BH3000 is a Brinell hardness tester covering a load range of 62.5kgf to 3000kgf — the widest load range available in a bench-top Brinell tester. Brinell hardness testing (HB) is the standard method for large-grained or coarse-structured materials including castings, forgings, and structural steel. The BH3000 covers the full ASTM E10 and ISO 6506 load range in a single machine.

Load range: 5 to 3000kgf — covers HBW 62.5/…, HBW 100/…, HBW 187.5/…, HBW 250/…, HBW 500/…, and HBW 3000/10 in a single machine
Indenter: Tungsten carbide ball indenter in standard sizes per ASTM E10 / ISO 6506
Measurement: Optical measurement of indentation diameter — manual or with DiaMet image analysis software
Applications: Castings, forgings, structural steel, heavy plate, and any material where coarse grain structure or surface condition makes Rockwell or Vickers methods unreliable
DiaMet compatible: Optional DiaMet software for automated indentation measurement, image capture, and results reporting

How to Choose Your Wilson Hardness Tester

Selection depends on load range, indenter geometry, material grain structure, and test standard requirements:

VH1102 or VH1202 — choose this if: testing thin coatings, case depth, weld HAZ, individual microstructural phases, or any feature too small for macro hardness methods. Vickers or Knoop indenter at loads from 0.01 to 2kgf. VH1202 adds a 6-position turret for faster objective/indenter switching.
VH1150 — choose this if: Vickers method is specified at loads above 300gf — through-hardened bulk material, welds, or structural sections where micro loads are insufficient but Rockwell is not permitted by the test standard.
BH3000 — choose this if: Brinell method (HB) is required — castings, forgings, coarse-grained steels, or applications where material grain size makes Vickers or Rockwell unreliable. Load range 62.5 to 3000kgf.