Digital Vickers Microhardness Testing Systems: A Comparative Technical Review of the Huayin HVS-Z and HVS-ZL Series
Huayin (华银) is a long-established Chinese manufacturer of hardness testing equipment. Among its flagship product lines are the Digital Display Vickers Hardness Testers, which are offered in two principal series distinguished by display size and feature set: the HVS-5Z/10Z/30Z/50Z series (5.6-inch display) and its large-screen counterpart, the HVS-5ZL/10ZL/30ZL/50ZL series (8-inch display). This article summarizes the key features and technical specifications of both series, based on the manufacturer's product catalogue.
In both series, the numerical suffix (5/10/30/50) denotes the approximate maximum test force (in kgf) of each model, allowing users to select the variant best suited to their required test-force range and application.
HVS-5Z/10Z/30Z/50Z — Digital Display Vickers Hardness Tester (5.6-inch Screen)
Main Features
- Automatic turret with a frictionless spindle, delivering high test-force precision
- Electronic force loading with a fully automatic closed-loop control system
- High-precision optical measurement system paired with a precision coordinate test anvil
- High-speed ARM processor driving a 5.6-inch LCD touch screen
- Switchable Chinese/English interface, with conversion between multiple hardness scales
- Real-time dynamic display of the time–force curve during loading and unloading
- On-screen display of test force, indentation length, dwell time, and number of measurements
- Fully automated test process for simple operation and minimal operator error
- Automatic correction of hardness values on concave and convex surfaces
- Built-in database storage, with data synchronization and export functions
- USB and RS232 interfaces for convenient data processing
- Built-in mini printer for immediate printing of test results
- Optional Knoop indenter available for Knoop hardness testing
- Optional HYHV-300 image measurement system: connects via data cable to enable full computer control of the tester, automatic capture of indentation images, automatic hardness value measurement, automatic hardness-curve generation, calculation of effective hardened-layer depth, and measurement of the fracture toughness of hard alloys
- Accuracy compliant with GB/T4340.2, ISO6507-2, and ASTM E92
| Item | HVS-5Z | HVS-10Z | HVS-30Z | HVS-50Z |
| Test force (N) | 1.961, 2.942, 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04 | 2.942, 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07 | 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07, 196.1, 294.2 | 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07, 196.1, 294.2, 490.4 |
| Test force (kgf) | 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5 | 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10 | 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 | 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 |
| Hardness test range | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV |
| Test-force application method | Automatic (loading / dwelling / unloading) — all 4 models | |||
| Objective lens / indenter switching | Automatic switching — all 4 models | |||
| Data output | Built-in printer, USB, RS232 | |||
| Objective lens | 10X, 40X | 10X, 20X | 10X, 20X | 10X, 20X |
| Eyepiece | 10X digital display micrometer eyepiece — all 4 models | |||
| Total magnification | 100X, 400X | 100X, 200X | 100X, 200X | 100X, 200X |
| Minimum detection unit | 0.0625 µm | 0.125 µm | 0.125 µm | 0.125 µm |
| Dwelling time | 1–99 s — all 4 models | |||
| Light source | Halogen — all 4 models | |||
| Maximum specimen height | 210 mm — all 4 models | |||
| Throat depth | 130 mm — all 4 models | |||
| Power supply | AC220V, 50Hz — all 4 models | |||
| Applicable standards | GB/T 4340.2, ISO 6507-2, ASTM E92 | |||
| Overall dimensions | 545 × 310 × 660 mm | |||
| Weight | approx. 75 kg |
Technical SpecificationsStandard accessories: coordinate test anvil ×1, thin-shaft test anvil ×1, thin plate test anvil ×1, flat jaw vice ×1, large V-shaped block ×1, small V-shaped block ×1, diamond pyramid indenter ×1, standard hardness reference blocks ×3, mini printer ×1
HVS-5ZL/10ZL/30ZL/50ZL — Large-Screen Series (8-inch Touch Screen)
This series is an upgraded variant of the HVS-Z line, sharing the same operating principle and test-force ranges. The key distinction is the 8-inch LCD touch screen (upgraded from 5.6 inches), providing a larger display area and improved usability.
Main Features
- Automatic turret with a frictionless spindle for high test-force precision
- Electronic force loading with fully automatic closed-loop control
- High-precision optical measurement system with a precision coordinate test anvil
- High-speed ARM processor paired with an 8-inch LCD touch screen
- Switchable Chinese/English interface, with conversion between multiple hardness scales
- Dynamic real-time display of the time–force curve during loading and unloading
- On-screen display of test force, indentation length, dwell time, and number of measurements
- Fully automated test process for simple operation and minimal operator error
- Automatic correction of hardness values on concave and convex surfaces
- Database storage with data synchronization and export capability
- USB and RS232 interfaces for data processing
- Built-in mini printer for immediate printing of test results
- Optional Knoop indenter available
- Optional HYHV-300 CCD image measurement system: enables full computer control of the tester, automatic capture of indentation images, automatic hardness measurement, automatic hardness-curve generation, automatic calculation of effective hardened-layer depth, and measurement of hard-alloy fracture toughness
- Accuracy compliant with GB/T4340.2, ISO6507-2, and ASTM E92
Technical Specifications
| Item | HVS-5ZL | HVS-10ZL | HVS-30ZL | HVS-50ZL |
| Test force (N) | 1.961, 2.942, 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04 | 2.942, 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07 | 4.904, 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07, 196.1, 294.2 | 9.807, 19.61, 24.52, 29.42, 49.04, 98.07, 196.1, 294.2, 490.4 |
| Test force (kgf) | 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5 | 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10 | 0.5, 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 | 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 |
| Hardness test range | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV | 5–3000HV |
| Test-force application method | Automatic (loading / dwelling / unloading) — all 4 models | |||
| Objective lens / indenter switching | Automatic switching — all 4 models | |||
| Data output | Built-in printer, USB, RS232 | |||
| Objective lens | 10X, 40X | 10X, 20X | 10X, 20X | 10X, 20X |
| Eyepiece | 10X digital display micrometer eyepiece — all 4 models | |||
| Total magnification | 100X, 400X | 100X, 200X | 100X, 200X | 100X, 200X |
| Minimum detection unit | 0.0625 µm | 0.125 µm | 0.125 µm | 0.125 µm |
| Dwelling time | 1–99 s — all 4 models | |||
| Light source | Halogen — all 4 models | |||
| Maximum specimen height | 210 mm — all 4 models | |||
| Throat depth | 130 mm — all 4 models | |||
| Power supply | AC220V, 50Hz — all 4 models | |||
| Applicable standards | GB/T 4340.2, ISO 6507-2, ASTM E92 | |||
| Overall dimensions | 580 × 340 × 660 mm | |||
| Weight | approx. 47 kg |
Standard accessories: coordinate test anvil ×1, thin-shaft test anvil ×1, thin plate test anvil ×1, flat jaw vice ×1, large V-shaped block ×1, small V-shaped block ×1, diamond pyramid indenter ×1, standard hardness reference blocks ×3, mini printer ×1
Fully Automatic Variant (ZL-Series Option): HYHVS-5ZL/10ZL/30ZL/50ZL T2.1/T3.1
Beyond the standard large-screen models, the catalogue also offers an enhanced variant that incorporates a fully automatic image-based measurement system (HYHV300T2.1 automatic, or T3.1 fully automatic). This system provides direct computer control of the tester, the automatic coordinate test platform, and the lifting screw. Additional capabilities include:
- A 3-megapixel digital camera for image capture, improving measurement accuracy
- An automatic coordinate test platform with multiple control modes — computer control, manual operation, and joystick operation
- One-click measurement of effective hardened-layer depth, with the system automatically applying the test, generating a hardness curve, calculating the effective hardened-layer depth, and printing the resulting curve and report
- Built-in error correction and calibration functions to correct systematic instrument errors
- Real-time marking of indentation locations, facilitating selection of specific metallographic structures for Vickers hardness measurement
- The ability to overlay a measurement scale on the indentation image
- Database query and management functionality
This variant is designed for advanced users who require a fully automated, computer-controlled measurement workflow rather than conventional manual reading through the eyepiece.
Comparative Summary
| Feature | HVS-5Z/10Z/30Z/50Z | HVS-5ZL/10ZL/30ZL/50ZL |
| Touch screen size | 5.6 inches | 8 inches |
| Test force range / hardness range | Identical (by sub-model 5/10/30/50) | Identical (by sub-model 5/10/30/50) |
| Overall dimensions | 545 × 310 × 660 mm | 580 × 340 × 660 mm |
| Weight | approx. 75 kg | approx. 47 kg |
| Optional automatic imaging system | HYHV-300 | HYHV300T2.1/T3.1 (full computer control) |
Both series share the same measurement principles and applicable standards (GB/T4340.2, ISO6507-2, ASTM E92). The primary differences lie in display size and the level of automated imaging capability available as an option. Users can therefore select the appropriate sub-model (5/10/30/50) based on the required test-force range, and choose between the Z and ZL series according to their display-size preference and budget.
Note: The information in this article is summarized from the attached product catalogue. The pages presenting the HVS-5Z/10Z/30Z/50Z and HVS-5ZL/10ZL/30ZL/50ZL models are located on PDF pages 18–19 and 14–15 respectively — not pages 7 and 9 as originally referenced. Pages 7 and 9 of the file instead cover the HVS-1000Z/HVS-1000ZL models, a different product. Data was therefore drawn from the pages that actually correspond to the requested model names.
