The NHT³ Nanoindentation tester measures surface attributes at nanoscale and micrometer scales, including hardness, elastic modulus, and creep. Its force varies from 0.1 mN to 500 mN, providing optimum adaptability.
Thanks to the special top surface referencing approach, an instrumented indentation measurement can be made right away without waiting for thermal stabilization. The “Quick Matrix” indentation mode allows high throughput—up to 600 measurements per hour.
Include another mechanical surface testing technique (e.g., scratch testing) in the NHT3: The technology supports several testing heads to cover all force ranges and gives users with a more complete image of the sample.
- Hardness, elastic modulus, and other surface mechanical characteristics are measured at the nanoscale and micrometer scales
- Immediate start of measurement after sample installation
- Fast and easy indenter exchange
- Force measurement up to 500 mN
- Also available for electrical contact resistance measurements (ECR version)
Key Features
Straightforward Nanoindentation Measurements
Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH
Anton Paar’s user-friendly software allows users to design and evaluate all types of instrumented indentation measurements, from standard to extremely complex approaches. The built-in microscope provides a wide magnification range, allowing users to examine the sample’s surface and determine the measuring position immediately.
Furthermore, the reference ring protects the indenter from impact, and exchanging a measuring tip takes less than two minutes.
High Accuracy and Short Time to Measure
Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH
The instrument’s distinctive design incorporates a top surface reference ring that follows the sample’s surface throughout the indentation measurement process. This implies that the indentation depth is always measured with reference to the current surface position.
Anton Paar’s nanoindentation tester has a unique feature that ensures reliable findings without relying on software adjustments. Another advantage of this procedure is that users can start measurement immediately after installing the sample, rather than waiting hours for thermal stabilization.
High Throughput with Quick Matrices
Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH
The quick measuring option enables users to take up to 600 measurements per hour using real indentation curves. The referencing design eliminates the requirement for thermal stabilization, allowing users to install and quickly test a large number of samples every day. NHT³ boasts the market’s best throughput due to its user profiles, measurement methodologies, multi-sample measurements, and customizable reporting.
Additional Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) with “Sinus Mode”
Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH
With Sinus Mode, users can perform DMA analysis to analyze the sample's viscoelastic characteristics (E', E'': storage and loss moduli, tan δ) and examine how mechanical properties change with depth (HIT, EIT vs. depth). In addition, Sinus Mode provides fast indenter calibration and stress-strain analysis.
Step Platform: Maximum Nanoindentation Tester Versatility
Image Credit: Anton Paar GmbH
If users need a single measuring head for the QC indentation testing or a multiple-head setup for complete surface mechanical characterization testing, the Step platform supports both single-application use in specialized laboratories and shared equipment across departments.
Technical Specifications
Source: Anton Paar GmbH
| . |
. |
| Maximum load [mN] |
500 |
| Load resolution [nN] |
20 |
| Load noise floor [rms] [μN] |
≤0.5 |
| Loading rate [mN/min] |
Up to 10,000 |
| Depth range [μm] |
200 |
| Depth resolution [nm] |
0.01 |
| Depth noise floor [rms] [nm] |
≤0.15 |
| Data acquisition rate [kHz] |
192 |
| Options |
| Liquid testing |
✔ |