Batson Enterprises 2014 Catalog, Page 68

ALPS

68

TECHNOLOGY

T ™ T ™ || TECHNOLOGY ||| RINGS

Vickers Hardness

The Vickers hardness testing method was developed in 1920 to test material hardness. A diamond pyramid is pressed into an object until it makes an impression. The force required to do so is the hardness rating. How does this apply to fi shing? It is a way to compare the hardness of different ring materials commonly used in guides today. The harder the ring, the less chance there is for wear to develop.

Units

2500

2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000

750

500

250

0

Vickers Hardness Chart

Guide Rings

SS

SiC

ALPS Carbide

“H” (hard aluminum oxide)

Zirconium

TiCh Zirconium

TiN Gold Zirconium

Blue Zirconium

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU

There are a lot of variables while fi shing:

What type of body of water? Is it clear, or is it murky? Are there sediments in the water? What type of line will you be using, mono or braid?

All these questions play into what type of guide ring you will need to put on your rod based on the hardness of the ring. If there is too much sediment in the water, it will build up on your line, making the line abrasive, and grooving will develop in a guide ring that is too soft for the conditions. It is always best to plan ahead and select the hardest ring available, like the zirconium ring, to prevent any grooving from taking place.