Micro Combi Tester:
MCT³

Four-in-one mechanical characterization

The unique mechanical design of the Micro Combi Tester MCT³ incorporates four different mechanical characterization measurement methods into only one measurement head without compromising on measurement quality. With one and the same head you can perform measurements of coating adhesion and scratch resistance (scratch testing), hardness and elastic modulus (instrumented indentation testing), Vickers hardness (conventional hardness testing) and friction and wear (multi-pass tribological testing).

Fully automated mechanical characterization tester

Like all scratch testers from Anton Paar, MCT³ automatically detects critical loads. Using the signal of friction force, penetration depth, or acoustic emission, an algorithm analyzes these signals and automatically determines the critical loads without subjecting them to any operator influence. The software package enables Vickers hardness tests, where the imprint is detected and measured automatically. Hardness and elastic modulus can be determined at various positions in a single measurement with the instrumented indentation technique.

The ideal load range for a wide range of applications

MCT³ performs scratch and instrumented indentation (IIT) tests from small depths (a few nm for surface detection) to great depths (maximum 1 mm). Its wide range of applied and measured force (from 10 mN to 30 N) matches almost all sample characteristics. This load and depth range is ideal for the mechanical characterization of hard coatings (PVD, CVD from 1 µm to 20 µm), thermal/plasma spray coatings, cementitious materials, metals, and polymers. If your standards require conventional hardness testing for bulk materials, MCT³ provides Vickers hardness testing within the same force range.  

Patented Synchronized Panorama Mode

This unique feature automatically synchronizes the recording of all sensor signals with the whole scratch image in perfect focus. The critical loads can be easily identified by observing the synchronized optical and signal recordings. Anton Paar is the holder of U.S. patent 8261600 and European patent EP 2065695.

Perfect results even for curved and uneven surfaces

Maximum Micro Combi Tester versatility with Step platform

Maximize the versatility of the MCT³ Micro Combi Tester with the Step platform. Complement the MCT³ head with another indentation or scratch tester to fully cover the nano/micro/macro range, or add the AFM to obtain surface topography and complete mechanical surface characterization with a single platform.