Microhardness testing provides data critical to verifying material properties of outsourced stock that is too small or thin to be determined by conventional Rockwell or Brinell hardness testing. These include thin sheet and foils, wires and plated surfaces. Microhardness is also used to verify case hardening heat treating processes to specification and to identify undesirable heat affected zones resulting from improper welding procedures.   Reviewing the current state of the art in microhardness testing, Metallurgical Associates identified new instruments with expanded microprocessor controlled capabilities. This resulted in our purchase of the Buehler Omnimet MHT computer controlled microhardness testing system. This instrument provides faster throughput, computer controlled traverse spacing and depth, and full compatibility with MAI's network to collect and transmit microhardness reports to our clients quickly and accurately.