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.