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Laboratory’s Hardness Testing Capability

Two types of Hardness testing equipment for metals and alloys are available:-

• Vickers Hardness – A calibrated and maintained Vickers Pyramid hardness tester.
• Rockwell Hardness/Superficial Hardness Tester – A Buehler "Macromet II" Hardness tester is available. Fitted with either a standard 120 degree conical diamond indenter, or a one sixteenth inch steel ball indenter, the machine covers the Rockwell C, D, A, G, B, and F standard ranges, and 45N, 30N, 15N, 45T, 30T, and 15T superficial ranges. (Larger diameter ball indenters are available for very soft materials).

Typical Applications of Hardness Testing

• Measuring the hardness of tool steels
• Measuring the hardness of bearing materials
• With larger ball indenters, the lower range can be extended to measurements of rubbers and plastics.

Our site expert on Hardness Testing is Alan Wicks.