Hardness Testing: A guide to scale selection, hardness conversion, hardness testing methods, and published articles

Hardness Testing

A guide to hardness scale selection, hardness conversion,
hardness testing methods, and published articles

Hardness testing has a lot of factors to consider in order to get good, reliable results. The test methods can be very sensitive given the delicate balance of forces involved. To provide some perspective, the Rockwell hardness test is like a giant micrometer that gets closed with 150 kg of force and yet measures accurately in the micron range. Seemingly inconsequential factors can have a large impact.

Following is a guide to hardness testing that provides information on the details, the problems and solutions, and the options that a business needs in order to produce good test results.

Wondering about the latest revision of ASTM standard E18-2007
for Rockwell Testing? Here's an over how Newage is handling it.
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Rockwell Hardness Find info about the Rockwell method and what testers to select Brinell Hardness Find info about the Brinell method and what testers to select Vickers Hardness Find info about the Vickers (Microhardness or Macro) method and what testers to select Hardness Conversion, High Hardness Range Convert hardness results between scales in Rockwell C range and Brinell, Vickers, etc Hardness Conversion, (Low Hardness Range) Convert hardness results between scales in Rockwell B range and Brinell, Vickers, etc Hardness Testing, a Guide to good practice Part 2: Test Practices Part 3: Assure a Good Test Need more info about testing technique? Start here. Round correction Reference Chart Adjust hardness test results to compensate for the effects of round samples Minimum Thickness Reference Chart Minimum sample thickness for Rockwell hardness ranges Brinell measurement chart, 10 mm ball indenter Convert Brinell Measurements to Brinell values Brinell measurement chart, 5 mm ball indenter Convert Brinell Measurements to Brinell values Rockwell hardness scales A complete list with indenters and test forces Hardness test methods - a fairly complete list of ASTM test methods available in all hardness scales.	Common Problems in Microhardness Testing as printed in Heat Treating Progress	Photo of Knoop indentation on an etched sample.
	Common Problems in Rockwell Hardness by Douglas B McGhee Newage Testing Instruments Problems related to accuracy, repeatability, and/or correlation usually can be traced to one or more of five causes: machine, operator, environment, sample prep, and calibration. Click here for the full story	Photo of broken Rockwell diamond indenter tip.
			Both articles as printed in Heat Treating Progress

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