An experimental technique for determining the dynamic indentation hardness
of materials is described. Unlike the traditional static hardness measureme
nts, the dynamic hardness measurements can capture the inherent rate depend
ent material response that is germane to high strain rate processes such as
high speed machining and impact. The dynamic Vickers hardness (DHV) of sev
eral commonly used engineering materials is found to be greater than the st
atic Vickers hardness (HV). The relationship between the hardness and yield
stress under static conditions, i.e., HV = 3 sigma(y), is also found to be
valid under dynamic conditions. It is suggested that this simpler techniqu
e can be used to assess the rate sensitive nature of engineering materials
at moderate strain rates in the range of around 2000/s.