FischerScope - Model HM2000 - Brochure

Coating Thickness Material Analysis Microhardness Material TestingMicrohardness Product Line Measurement Systems for Nanoindentation2 Microhardness Product Line Coating Thickness Material Analysis Microhardness3“Made in Germany” QualityKeeping its manufacturing predominantly in-house allows FISCHER to fulfil its customers’ expectations with truly superior products. In FISCHER’s modern, high-tech production facilities, close attention is paid to even the tiniest of details in order to ensure consistently high quality. Here at FISCHER, "Made in Germany" is more than just a merchandise mark: it is a point of employee pride and an integral part of the company philosophy. Product AssortmentFISCHER instruments cover a comprehensive range of measuring and analysis tasks that are relevant in diverse industries. For each application, the appropri-ate method is employed for maximum precision and accuracy: whether magnetic induction or eddy current, beta-backscatter, coulometry, microhardness or x-ray fluorescence – FISCHER always has the right technology for the purpose. Industrial enterprises, research centres and academic institutions worldwide depend on the reliability and accuracy of their instruments. FISCHER meets this challenge with its rigorous quality standards and commitment to develop and produce the most technically advanced – yet easy to use – measurement systems and software on the market.Pioneer in Microhardness Measuring Technology A true pioneer in measuring technologies, FISCHER recognised very early on the immense potential of Instru-mented Indentation Testing for determining microhard-ness. The first commercially-produced microhardness test instrument to employ this method, the FISCHER-SCOPE® H100, was launched onto the market in 1985; many of these first-generation instruments are still being used today.Knowledge, Competence, ExperienceSince 1953, FISCHER has created and produced increasingly innovative, powerful and versatile tech-nologies for measuring coating thickness and micro-hardness, as well as for material analysis and testing. Today, FISCHER instruments are used all around the globe – wherever trueness, precision and reliability are essential.Research and DevelopmentBuilding leading-edge products requires a strong focus on research and development. All FISCHER products are developed and manufactured at the company’s facilities in Germany, where one in five employees works in R&D.Highly qualified specialists – with advanced degrees in physics, chemistry, electronics, engineering and com-puter science – continually develop new products and processes to meet the ever-changing demands of the market. FISCHER also cooperates closely with universi-ties and research institutes.Knowledge, Competence, ExperienceMICROHARDNESS Material Testing4 Microhardness Product LineInstrumented Indentation Test – Determining Mechanical Properties in the Nanometre RangeThe exacting requirements of today's advanced surface technologies require increasingly more powerful meas-urement techniques to characterise the various coatings and materials. Regardless of whether the coatings are very hard, very thin, or viscoelastic – FISCHER pro-vides the optimum measurement system for practically every application with its range of high-precision and user-friendly instruments for Instrumented Indentation Testing.In addition to Martens Hardness, characteristics such as the Elastic Modulus of Indentation, Creep, and other material parameters can be determined reliably. The main areas of application are testing paint layers, elec-troplated coatings, hard material coatings, polymers, metals and coatings on glass. FISCHER’s microhard-ness measurement systems excel where classic methods reach their limits: measuring quickly, precisely and effectively – in the nanometre range.1985 FISCHERSCOPE® H100:First microhardness test instru-ment1999 FISCHERSCOPE® H100 C:Newly designed, with improved distance measurement, higher load resolution, integration of XY-control, new software2004 FISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 and PICODENTOR® HM500:Wider load range (HM2000) and increased vibration stability for industrial applicationsStandards for Hardness Measurements1987: First efforts to standardise the hardness measurement under load. Seminal work by W. Weiler and Helmut Fischer on the topic of “Microhardness measurements at the push of a button”1999: DIN Standard 50359-1 to 3, with signifi-cant contributions from FISCHER2000: International Standard DIN EN ISO 14577. Participation in Standards Committee: FISCHERCurrent: Revision of the Standard DIN EN ISO 14577-1 to -3 with significant cooperation by FISCHERInstrumented Indentation TestAll FISCHER instruments employ Instrumented Indenta-tion Test method – often called nanoindentation – for determining the Martens Hardness (HM). In contrast to other hardness tests, this method not only determines the plastic behaviour of the material, but additional material parameters can also be read from the meas-urement plot, such as the Elastic Modulus of Indentation (EIT), the Indentation Hardness (HIT) and the Indentation Creep (CIT), as well as the plastic and elastic deforma-tion energies.Operating Principle of the Instrumented Indentation TestIn the Instrumented Indentation Test, an indenter pen-etrates the specimen’s surface using a specified load. During this process, the depth of the indentation is measured continuously. Because of their high resolutions for load (= 100 nN or = 400 nN) and distance (40 to 100 pm), FISCHER microhardness instruments can be used for a broad range of applications and materials. The Instrumented Indentation Test can determine mate-rial properties on thin coatings, for example on sensors, on glass or on data storage media, and even on very soft materials such as elastomers.This is where the classic Vickers Hardness measurement method quickly reaches its limits: where the indenter is pressed into the specimen under specified conditions and the geometry of the resulting indentation is meas-ured optically. The hardness value obtained using the Vickers Method is only a measure of the plastic material properties and does not contain any information about the elastic properties.5MICROHARDNESSInstrumented Indentation Test sequenceAdvantages of the Instrumented Indentation Test• Measures elastic and plastic material properties in a single pass• Measures thin coatings without any influence from the substrate material• Precludes operator errors through partially auto-mated measuring • Provides depth-related information about the mate-rial characteristicsAdditionally, all instruments feature ESP (Enhanced Stiffness Procedure). This allows for the depth-related determination of HIT and EIT.2011 New generation of instruments feature a compact and dimensionally stable design, high-precision, programmable XY-stages, motor-driven Z-axes and improved opticshmax: Maximum indentation depth during the testhp: Displacement at the end of the test procedure, plastic portionMeasurable Material CharacteristicsMeasurement and computation of material char-acteristics according to DIN EN ISO 14577-1 and ASTM E 2546: Martens Hardness HM Indentation Hardness HIT (convertible to HV) Modulus of Indentation EIT Indentation Creep CIT Percentage of the Indentation Energy Welast/Wtotal attributable to Elastic Deformation dIT Additional characteristics such as the Martens Hardness at a specific test load, plastic defor-mation energy, etc.2013 Continual enhancements, such as the integration of an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) or a heated sample support, make these measurement systems ever more powerful and versatile00,511,522,533,544,5-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500Eindring-Tiefe (µm)Kraft (mN)BelastungEntlastunghmaxhpLoadingUnloadingLoadIndentation depth (µm)4.543.532.521.510.50-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 25006 Microhardness Product LineFISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 SThe compact FISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 S is the cost-effective entry model for determining the microhardness of coatings in the micrometre range, i.e. for coatings thicknesses greater than 1 – 2 µm. Samples with a simple shape are positioned manually. A twist pre-vention mechanism on the stand ensures safe sample positioning while its stable construction, with stone (cf. granite) base, help avoid measurement errors and reduce influences of e.g. vibration. The instrument can be equipped with a programmable positioning aid for accommodating more challenging specimens or for taking semiautomatic measurements. In addition to the Martens Hardness, other plastic and elastic proper-ties can be determined, such as indentation hardness, modulus of indentation or creep.The HM2000 S is used by preeminent vehicle and paint manufacturers in both development and quality control. It is also used frequently in the electroplating industry or for testing hard material coatings.Determining the influence of weather on paint coatingsTesting the wear resistance of thin anodic coatings on extruded aluminium profiles Determining the mechanical characteristics of lacquer coatings 7MICROHARDNESSCharacterisation of Hard Anodic CoatingsHard anodic coatings are notable for their excellent abrasion and wear resistance as well as for their imper-viousness to corrosion. For this reason, they are used for finishing automotive parts such as pistons, cylinders and gears. Using the HM2000 S, the wear resistance of hard anodic coatings can be determined easily via mechanical properties – not only in the laboratory but even in running production lines. Mechanical Characterisation of Paint CoatingsPaints and lacquers find use in a broad range of appli-cations – e.g. to finish metal parts used in household equipment or in the automotive and electrical industries – not only for protection and decoration but also for functional purposes, such as changing surface proper-ties like electrical conductivity. Using the Instrumented Indentation Test to determine the plastic and elastic properties of a paint coating allows conclusions to be drawn about the layer’s hardness, its elasticity, the degree of cross-linking and level of resistance to UV radiation. If different paints are to be compared against each other, the same test conditions must be met for all indentation tests – which is quick and easy to accom-plish with the HM2000 S.To test for the impacts of environmental influences such as temperature fluctuations, humidity and aggressive substances, the painted parts are subjected to various conditions using accelerated weathering equipment. Environmental exposure increases the hardness of the paint surface and reduces its elasticity; such effects can be verified easily with the HM2000 S.Features Quick measurements without extensive sample preparation, thus suited for both lab and pro-duction checks User-friendly; easy to position samples manually Intuitive operation with the WIN-HCU® softwareOptional: Enclosed measurement chamber to prevent external influences such as breezes from open windows, fans, laboratory hood, air conditioning, etc. Additional stone plate with anti-vibration feet to further reduce the influences of vibrationTypical Fields of Application Measurements on specimens with simple shapes Paint, plastic or hard material coatings (PVD, CVD) Electroplated coatings (decorative, functional)Outdoor weathering site for testing how paint reacts to environmental influences, Picture credit: Atlas Material Testing GmbHHard material coatings on tools Determining the properties of paints on various materials8 Microhardness Product LineFISCHERSCOPE® HM2000The FISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 is the measuring instru-ment of choice for determining the microhardness of coatings in the micrometre range, i.e. for coatings thicker than 1-2 µm. Measurements can be taken reli-ably even on soft materials like rubber or polymers. The device’s natural stone base (granite or similar) ensures excellent dimensional stability, is resistant to tempera-ture swings and also reduces the effects of vibration. The programmable XY-stage and the motor-driven Z-axis facilitate semiautomatic measurements on multiple sam-ples with high throughput and easy handling. Its built-in microscope with three magnification settings makes the HM2000 suited for demanding measuring applications with difficult positioning.The instrument’s modular design allows for customer-specific configuration and for later upgrades, e.g. add-ing even higher-resolution optics or a measuring stage with greater repeatability precision. It is also possible to equip the system with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) or a heated sample support for temperature-independent measurements.Hardness determination of hard anodic coatings on pistonsDLC coating on a gear wheel9MICROHARDNESSFeatures Quick measurements without extensive sample preparation, thus suited for lab and production checks. The HM2000 requires only 30 seconds for its travel to the measuring position and the zero point determination. Programmable XY-stage for automated measure-ments with a re-positioning accuracy of +/- 2 µm User-friendly handling through motor-driven Z-axis Microscope with three different magnification settings for accurate positioning on the measure-ment location Natural stone base provides dimensional stability, prevents temperature swings and buffers against vibrationsOptional: Active anti-vibration table and enclosed measurement chamber to further reduce the influence of vibrations Intuitive handling with the individually configura-ble software WIN-HCU®Typical Fields of Application Paint, plastic or hard material coatings (PVD, CVD) Electroplated coatings (decorative, functional) Materials specifically for medical applications Electronic components, bond wires, etc. Automated measurements on multiple samplesElectroplating and GalvanisationThe challenges faced daily by electroplating businesses are complex. While regulations require the replacement of tried-and-tested chemicals with more environmen-tally-friendly substitutes, the demands of industry on the coatings themselves only increase; processes must be modified and optimised according to these new requirements. So that uniform coating quality can still be ensured, the elastic and plastic properties must be monitored during the coating procedure. This can be done quickly and precisely with the HM2000 in both the lab and in running production.Electroplating facilities are typical areas of application for the HM2000Hard Material CoatingsThe expectations placed on the tools used in indus-trial production also continue to grow. New substrate materials (such as high alloy steel) and faster cutting and processing speeds require new hard coatings that are applied, for example, using PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). Typical hard materials for this purpose include TiN, TiAlN and CrN – materials that exhibit Vickers Hardness in the range of about 2000-3000 HV0.05 – and coating thicknesses of about 1-15 µm.Electroplated coatings Microhardness determination on a gear housingQuality assurance for coated tools depends on reliable determination of their mechanical properties. Conven-tional hardness test instruments are only partially suited to this task because the test loads they work with are too high: The indenters penetrate the top layer and the hardness measured is actually a mix of the coating and the substrate. To determine the hardness of just the coating, the indentation depth must not exceed one tenth of the overall coating thickness (Bückle's Rule). The HM2000 is ideally suited for measuring coatings thicker than 1µm.10 Microhardness Product LinePICODENTOR® HM500The PICODENTOR® HM500 is optimised for Instrumented Indentation Testing on layers in the nanometre range, i.e. for coatings less than 1 µm thick. Besides the proven stone base (granite or similar), the standard fittings on the measurement system include a high-precision programmable XY-stage, a fast microscope with three different objectives, an active piezo-based anti-vibration table as well as an enclosed measurement chamber. Indentation left by a Vickers diamond Microhardness determination on bond wiresThus, the PICODENTOR HM500 is suited for sophisticat-ed measuring applications such as the determination of plastic and elastic properties on polished micro-sections or on bond wires in the semiconductor industry.Additionally, for an exact characterisation of sample surfaces, the measuring system can be equipped with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), making even small material changes in the nanometre range visible.11MICROHARDNESSFeatures Quick measurements without extensive sample preparation, thus suited for both lab and pro-duction checks: requires only 60 seconds to travel to the measuring position and determine the zero point Measurements even on the smallest structures due to a high-precision XY-stage with a re-posi-tioning accuracy of = 0.5 µm User-friendly handling through auto lens recogni-tion and motor-driven Z-axis with auto-focus Microscope with three different magnification settings for accurate positioning of the measure-ment location Natural stone base provides dimensional sta-bility, prevents temperature swings and buffers against vibrations Active anti-vibration table and enclosed meas-urement chamber to further reduce the influence of vibrations Intuitive operation with the individually config-urable software WIN-HCU®Typical Fields of Application Hard material coatings and ultra-thin DLC coatings Dirt-repellent coatings (e.g., Sol-Gel coatings) Coatings on PC hard disks / CDs Super-thin paint coatings Ion-implanted surfaces Nano-coatings on sensors Implants / medical applications Matrix effects in alloys Biological materials Ceramic materials Hardness determination on polished micro-sections Automated measurements on multiple samplesContacts on a printed circuit board Automated measurements on a waferTesting the protective coatings on plastic optical lensesPlug ContactsImportant properties of plug contacts such as abra-sion resistance or bondability can be determined using the Instrumented Indentation Test. The contact areas are plated with gold (depending on the alloy, the Martens Hardness ranges between 1200 and 6000 N/mm²) very selectively and, to control costs, less than 1 µm in thickness. The measuring task is challenging in many ways: the extremely thin coating requires a very delicate indenter touchdown on the sample for setting the initial zero point, which is the foundation for correct measurement results. At the same time, the small dimensions of the plug contacts require extremely precise positioning.Using the PICODENTOR HM500, even such demand-ing measuring applications can be solved with the highest degree of accuracy. Repeated measurements of the Martens Hardness on 0.2 µm thick gold coatings can achieve a coefficient of variation smaller than 5%.Plastic Optical LensesPlastic lenses in eyeglasses are coated with multiple layers of various thickness in the nanometre range to attain a surface that is scratch-resistant, dirt repellent and anti-reflective. Testing the mechanical properties of such thin coatings requires a measuring system with high-precision distance measurement in the picometre range and load generation restricted to just a few micro-Newtons.12 Microhardness Product LineSoftware WIN-HCU®Measurements According to the Standard MethodWhen measurements are taken according to the stand-ard method, the indenter presses into the specimen under a defined load for a specified length of time (load/force increase) and is then unloaded again over another specified time period (load reduction).Measurements According to the ESP MethodWhen measuring according to the ESP method (Enhanced Stiffness Procedure), loading and unload-ing are incremental. This allows the quick for depth- and force-dependent determination of characteristics such as EIT, HIT or HV – all at the same location.All FISCHER hardness measuring instruments are sup-plied in conjunction with a Windows® PC on which the WIN-HCU® software is installed. The software con-trols the instruments and evaluates the signals resulting from the measurement procedure. The readings are displayed on the monitor and saved to memory. Using WIN-HCU, the results can be formatted and printed con-veniently as paper records, and they can be exported to other programs (e.g. Excel). The software is intuitive to use and can be configured individually, for example, to set up users with different permission levels. Further-more, in addition to German and English, Chinese and Japanese are available as operating languages. The software is based on the DIN ISO 14577-1 and ASTM E 2546 standards.Programmable Test CycleThe parameters for the test cycle can be defined indi-vidually, e.g.:• Maximum test load• Load reduction, creep• Loading and unloading durationThis way, the user can easily define measurement sequences and obtain significantly more information about a material than with conventional hardness meas-urement systems. The settings can be stored so that the measurement can be repeated later with identical parameters, for example to test different materials.Indentation depth / load diagram for a measurement using the stand-ard methodIndentation depth / load diagram for a measurement using the ESP methodThe main WIN-HCU window shows a video image of the measurement location (except with the HM2000 S), a graphi-cal presentation of the current measurement and a table with the current measurement parametersdepth (µm)load (mN)depth (µm)load (mN)133D PresentationIn addition to 2D graphs, the measured data can also be presented in 3D, which depicts the individual quanti-ties along a line or across an area.Correcting for Deviations in the Shape of the IndenterDeviations in the shape (line of conjunction, tip radius) of the indenter can be detected by WIN-HCU through a simple investigation with the correction function. Two methods are available for this purpose: determina-tion of the shape correction via the material constant (Modulus of Elasticity) or by using the HM (Martens Hardness) characteristics based on a reference mate-rial (e.g. BK7).Temperature-Dependent MeasurementTemperature plays an especially significant role when analysing the mechanical properties of plastics and paint. In combination with the heated sample support SHS200, the software makes it possible to measure and present temperature-related changes in the char-acteristics. Statistics and SPC ChartThe WIN-HCU software computes such statistical char-acteristics as mean value, standard deviation, coeffi-cient of variation, expected value, maximum, minimum, and range, among others.For a quick and concise quality check, e.g. of a coating process in running production, WIN-HCU offers presen-tation of the measurement results in an SPC control chart with control limits (UCL and LCL) drawn in. In addition, the specification limits (USL and LSL), and the computed process capability factors Cp and CpK, are given as numeric values. The group size can be adjusted. Graphical PresentationThe software makes it possible to plot the measurement results with any definition and scaling of the diagram axes, e.g.:• Indentation depth / load diagrams• Hardness / load diagrams• Load / time diagrams• Mean value plots including standard deviation• Comparison of different test series within one chartDetermination of the Vickers Hardness (HV) and Knoop Hardness (HK) via Optical MeasurementsBesides computation of the Indentation Hardness (HIT), the Vickers Hardness can also be directly measured optically. A special indenter also allows for deter-mination of the Knoop Hardness (except with the HM2000 S).MICROHARDNESSMartens Hardness indentation depth diagrams of hard metal and steel hard metall steelMartens Hardness depthHM [N/mm2 ]25000200001500010000500000 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8Temperature-dependent HM and EIT of Plexiglas® and Makrolon®Plexiglas® Makrolon®Martens Hardness HM / N/mm2Modulus of Indentation E IT / GPa200180160140120100805.04.54.03.53.0temperature / ºC40 100 120202.53D presentation of the Martens Hardness measured on the polished micro-section of a cardiac valvex-axis83300020001000300020001000HM [N/mm2 ]y-axis83.565.56666.567HM [N/mm2 ]14In the 3D presentation, the typical pyramid shape of the Vickers indenter is quite recognisable.Thus, the AFM offers the ability to observe otherwise invisible structures.The following example shows a measurement on tung-sten (Fmax= 50 mN). The material bulges at the edges of the indenter impression, creating a “pile-up”. This behaviour is a known property of tungsten and other materials. Pile-ups increase the contact area at the Instrumented Indentation Test and thus influence the measurements.Visualising and Quantifying Structures in the Nanometre RangeTo obtain further information about the material proper-ties, the measuring systems can be optionally upgraded with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The programmable XY-stage with its repositioning accu-racy of = 0.5 µm, the active anti-vibration table and the enclosed measurement chamber offer the ideal condi-tions for additional AFM measurements.An AFM physically scans the sample surface. For this purpose, the AFM utilises a cantilever with a very fine silicon tip to measure differences in height. The meas-urement area is scanned line by line and the height information is recorded point by point with high preci-sion. The resolution in the XY-direction is about 10 nm.The obtained data can be presented in various ways: In addition to the surface topography, which shows the height profile, the AFM also offers the capability to determine the phase and amplitude of the cantilever’s oscillations. These two parameters provide additional information on material properties. In particular, inden-tations made at the lowest maximum loads can be pre-sented ideally using the AFM.Microhardness Product LineAFM (Atomic Force Microscope)PICODENTOR® HM500 with measurement chamber and atomic force microscopeImpression in tungsten (Fmax= 50mN) with clearly visible pile-upsAFM measurement (3D presentation) of an indentation with a maxi-mum load of 5 mN (scale z-axis: 50 nm)15AccessoriesMICROHARDNESSC: HM support for polished micro-section samples Support for polished micro-section samples with diam-eters of 20, 30, 40 and 50 mm and heights of 8.5 to 30 mm.D: HM foil clamping device Device for clamping thin foils or wires for secure, gap-free fixation. IndentersAll instruments come equipped with Vickers indenters. Optionally available are also: Berkovich or Knoop indenters, hard metal spheres and, by request, custom-er-specific indenters.Sound insulation hood NOAH-M The sound insulation hood NOAH-M minimises the impacts of external sounds, allowing for more precise measurements on extremely thin coatings (< 1µm).A: HM Universal Sample Support incl. Heating Station and Heat Plate Sample support for measuring microhardness on up to four different specimens. The specimens are affixed thermally to the sample support.B: Universal Vice Vice for clamping specimens of different shapes.SHS200 Heated sample support Newer systems with a positioning aid can be upgraded with the heated sample support SHS200. This allows for analysis of the mechanical properties of various materi-als at temperatures of up to 200°C. The temperature is controlled very accurately by combining an internal sen-sor in the heater with a sensor directly on the sample.ABCD16 Microhardness Product LineInstrument OverviewProduct RangeIn the range of FISCHER microhardness measurement systems, there is an appropriate instrument for every application. Besides the three basic instruments, custom-er-specific combinations are also possible. And systems already in use can be upgraded at a later time. This allows to respond flexibly to new applications and meet the increasing demands on measurement operations.Sample PositioningTo measure at just the right location, the sample must be positioned correctly. If the specimen geometry is simple, it is straightforward to position it manually; however, in more challenging cases, motor-driven positioning devices assist with exact sample positioning – repeat-edly. Moreover, the programmable XY-stage can be used to automate the entire measurement procedure.Test Load Range as a Function of Coating ThicknessPrecise measurements are primarily a question of an exactly metered test load and accurate determination of the indentation depth. Selection of the system best suited to the task is dependent on the thickness and the nature of the samples to be measured. In particular, thin coatings of >µm thickness place extremely high demands on the performance of the instrument.Test loadTest load rangeLoad resolutionIndentation depthMax. indentation depthDistance resolutionPositioningMax. sample heightSupport areaRe-positioning accuracyResolutionObjectivesMagnificationVideo picture (field of vision)Upgrade optionsTypical Fields of Application17FISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 S FISCHERSCOPE® HM2000 PICODENTOR® HM5000.1 – 2000 mN= 400 nN0.1 – 2000 mN= 400 nN0.005 – 500 mN= 100 nN150 µm100 pm150 µm100 pm150 µm40 pmManually with support stand Motor-driven XY-stage andmotor-driven Z-axis130 mm180 mm x 150 mm+/- 1 – 2 µm0.5 µmMotor-driven XY-stage andmotor-driven Z-axis130 mm180 mm x 150 mm= 0.5 µm0.1 µm• 4-, 20- and 40-fach• 1600 x 1200 µm, 320 x 240 µm, 160 x 120 µm• 5-, 20- and 50-fach• 1400 x 1000 µm, 350 x 250 µm, 140 x 100 µm• Microscope with automatic aperture recognition; autofocus; 5x, 20x, 50x (and optionally 100x) objectives• Precise XY-stage with a re-positioning accuracy of = 0.5 µm• Measurement chamber• Measurement chamber support frame• Active anti-vibration table• Objective lens with 100x magnifica-tion• Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)• Measurement chamber support frame• Sound insulation hood NOAH-M• Paint, plastic or hard material coatings (PVD, CVD)• Electroplated coatings (decorative, functional)• Paint, plastic or hard material coat-ings (PVD, CVD)• Electroplated coatings (decorative, functional)• Materials specifically for medical applications• Electronic components, bond wires, etc.• Automated measurements on multiple samples• Hard material coatings and ultra-thin DLC coatings• Dirt-repellent coatings (e.g., Sol-Gel coatings)• Coatings on PC hard disks / CDs• Super-thin paint coatings• Ion-implanted surfaces• Nano-coatings on sensors• Implants / medical applications• Matrix effects in alloys• Biological materials• Ceramic materials• Hardness determination on polished micro-sections• Automated measurements on multiple samplesMICROHARDNESS18 Microhardness Product LineFISCHER worldwideSERVICEKnowing what their customers need and want is a must for anyone trying to succeed in today’s globalised markets. Because we at FISCHER think of ourselves as partners to our customers, we attach great importance to providing them excellent advice and working in close cooperation with them. This is why the Helmut Fischer Group maintains its worldwide presence through own companies and qualified distribution partners; there is one near you. ServiceGood service and efficient customer support are just as important to FISCHER as technically advanced and innovative products. For this reason, FISCHER has estab-lished a dense and tightly-linked global network of service partners staffed with highly qualified personnel. Offering extensive services such as setup, maintenance, training, calibration and so forth, FISCHER supports you in every aspect of your instruments and their use. This is how FISCHER guarantees the reliability and precision of its products. Worldwide.In keeping with our high standards of quality and cus-tomer satisfaction, all members of the Helmut Fischer Group are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9000.19Training and SeminarsBecause we want you to derive maximum benefit from our products, FISCHER's specialists are happy to share their practical know-how: starting with seminars and training sessions on metrological basics, through the optimal use of the instruments, to expert symposia on special topics.Application LaboratoriesMore and more, demanding applications require highly qualified application advice. FISCHER addresses this need through its strategically located Application Lab-oratories around the world (Germany, Switzerland, China, USA, India, Japan and Singapore).962-018 04/1401-14 Coating Thickness Material Analysis Microhardness Material TestingFISCHER worldwidewww.helmut-fischer.comHelmut Fischer GmbHInstitut für Elektronik und Messtechnik71069 Sindelfingen, GermanyHelmut Fischer AG undHelmut Fischer Technologie AGCH-6331 Hünenberg, SwitzerlandIfG-Institute for Scientific Instruments GmbH12489 Berlin, GermanyFischer Instrumentation (GB) LtdLymington, Hampshire SO41 8JD, EnglandFischer Technology, Inc.Windsor, CT 06095, USAHelmut Fischer S. de R.L. de C.V.76230 Querétaro, QRO, MexicoFischer Instrumentation Electronique78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, FranceHelmut Fischer S.R.L.20099 Sesto San Giovanni (Milano), ItalyFischer Instruments, S.A.08018 Barcelona, SpainHelmut Fischer Meettechniek B.V.5627 GB Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFischer do Brasil04561-001 São Paulo, BrazilFischer Instruments K.K.Saitama-ken 340-0012, JapanNantong Fischer Instrumentation LtdShanghai 200333, P.R. ChinaFischer Instrumentation (Far East) LtdKwai Chung, N.T., Hong KongFischer Measurement Technologies (India) Pvt. LtdPune 411036, IndiaFischer Instrumentation (S) Pte LtdSingapore 658065, SingaporeHelmut Fischer Korea Co., LtdSeoul City, Republic of KoreaFischer Technology (M) SDN Bhd47301 Petaling Jaya, MalaysiaHelmut Fischer Thailand Co., LtdBangkok 10250, Thailand