Consumables / Hardness Testing

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Hardness Testing

Our hardness testing consumables ensure precise, consistent results. Choose from indenter tips, calibration blocks, and accessories for Vickers, Brinell, and Rockwell tests—essential for accurate material analysis and quality control.

More Resources:

Introduction Rockwell Hardness Brinell Hardness Vickers Hardness Microhardness Rockwell Test Blocks Accessories Other Test Blocks Hardness Testing Tips

Introduction

Hardness testing provides valuable data that correlates with material properties such as tensile strength, wear resistance, and ductility. These measurements are essential for quality control, material verification, and the selection process in metallographic analysis.


The table below presents a relative comparison between various hardness testing methods. While these conversions offer general guidance, actual values may vary depending on the material tested.

Brinell (10 mm, 3000 kg) Vickers (120 kg) Rockwell C (150 kg) Rockwell B (1/16" ball, 100 kg)
800 72
780 1220 71
725 1060 67
652 867 63
601 476 60
514 587 53 120
451 489 47 117
401 423 43 114
351 361 38 111
301 305 33 107
249 250 25 101
200 199 16 93
152 150 82
105 110 62
76 80 37

Rockwell Hardness

The Rockwell Hardness Test (HR) measures the depth of penetration under a major load after a minor preload is applied. It's fast, non-destructive, and commonly used across a range of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Various Rockwell scales (A, B, C, etc.) use different indenters and load combinations to suit soft polymers to hardened steels.

Typical Applications:

Brinell Hardness

The Brinell Hardness Number (BHN or HBW) is calculated from the diameter of the indentation made by a 10 mm hardened steel or tungsten carbide ball under a specified load, typically 500–3000 kgf. It is best suited for soft to medium-hard materials like castings and forgings with rough or uneven surfaces.

Typical Applications:

Vickers Hardness

The Vickers Hardness Test (HV) uses a square-based pyramidal diamond indenter to create an impression under a precise load, typically from 1 gf to 100 kgf. It is extremely versatile and applicable to almost all metals and surface finishes. Hardness is calculated by measuring the diagonals of the indentation.

Typical Applications:

Microhardness

Microhardness testing is used to measure surface or phase-specific hardness on a microscopic scale. It typically applies loads ranging from 1 to 2000 gf using a Vickers or Knoop diamond indenter. Indentations are optically measured, either manually or through image analysis systems.


Knoop hardness (HK) is ideal for thin coatings and microstructures. The test uses an elongated rhomboidal indenter and measures the long diagonal to calculate projected area.


Knoop hardness indents in a hardened steel specimen
Metallographic Knoop Indents on Steel

Vickers microhardness is used for small regions or phase-specific areas. Hardness (HV) is calculated by dividing the applied load by the surface area of the impression, derived from the diagonal measurements.


Rockwell Regular Test Blocks

Hardness Scale Part No. Penetrator Load Ranges Material
A Scale RA10 C Diamond 60 Kg A60-A84 Steel
A Scale RA20 C Diamond 60 Kg A20-A59 Brass
A Scale RA30 A Diamond (Carbide) 60 Kg A88 & up Carbide
B Scale RB10 1/16" Ball 100 Kg B10-B92 Steel
B Scale RB20 1/16" Ball 100 Kg B90-B130 Steel
C Scale RC10 C Diamond 150 Kg All Steel
D Scale RD10 C Diamond 100 Kg All Steel
E Scale RE10 1/8" Ball 100 Kg All Brass
F Scale RF10 1/16" Ball 60 Kg All Brass
G Scale RG10 1/16" Ball 150 Kg G2.5-G64 Brass
G Scale RG20 1/16" Ball 150 Kg G66 & up Steel
H Scale RH10 1/8" Ball 60 Kg All Brass
K Scale RK10 1/8" Ball 150 Kg All Brass
L Scale RL10 1/4" Ball 60 Kg All Brass
M Scale RM10 1/4" Ball 100 Kg All Brass
P Scale RP10 1/4" Ball 150 Kg All Brass
R Scale RR10 1/2" Ball 60 Kg All Brass
S Scale RS10 1/2" Ball 100 Kg All Brass
V Scale RV10 1/2" Ball 150 Kg All Brass

Note: Aluminum test blocks are available in "B", "E", "F", "G", "H", and "K" scales, although the range is more limited.


Rockwell Superficial Test Blocks

Hardness Scale Part No. Penetrator Load Ranges Material
15N Scale S15N10 N Diamond 15 Kg All Steel
30N Scale S30N10 N Diamond 30 Kg All Steel
45N Scale S45N10 N Diamond 45 Kg All Steel
15T Scale S15T10 1/16-inch Ball 15 Kg All Brass
30T Scale S30T10 1/16-inch Ball 30 Kg All Brass
45T Scale S45T10 1/16-inch Ball 45 Kg All Brass
15W Scale S15W10 1/8-inch Ball 15 Kg All Brass
30W Scale S30W10 1/8-inch Ball 30 Kg All Brass
45W Scale S45W10 1/8-inch Ball 45 Kg All Brass
15X Scale S15X10 1/4-inch Ball 15 Kg All Brass
30X Scale S30X10 1/4-inch Ball 30 Kg All Brass
45X Scale S45X10 1/4-inch Ball 45 Kg All Brass
15Y Scale S15Y10 1/2-inch Ball 15 Kg All Brass
30Y Scale S30Y10 1/2-inch Ball 30 Kg All Brass
45Y Scale S45Y10 1/2-inch Ball 45 Kg All Brass

Note: Aluminum test blocks are also available upon request.

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Rockwell Testing Accessories

Diamond Penetrators

Each diamond penetrator is mounted in conformity with its grain structure to assure balanced pressure and prevent early wear or breakage. They are precision ground, lapped, and polished. We also subject each diamond penetrator to a strict performance test before it is approved for sale.

Part No. Description
P1010Standard "C" Diamond Penetrator
P1020Standard "N" Diamond Penetrator
P1030Carbide "A" Diamond Penetrator
P1040'Versitron'® - type "C" Diamond
P1045'Versitron'® - type "N" Diamond
P1050'Indentron'® - type "C" Diamond
P1060'Indentron'® - type "N" Diamond
P1070"C" & "N" Combo Slip-in Diamond Penetrator
P1080"C" Portable Diamond Penetrator
P1090'Veritron' - type Tapered Diamond

Note: Versitron® and Indentron® are registered trademarks for Newage Testing Instruments, Inc.


Ball Penetrators

Part No. Description
P20101/16-inch Ball Penetrator Unit
P20151/16-inch Balls (50 each)
P20201/8-inch Ball Penetrator Unit
P20251/8-inch Balls (25 each)
P20301/4-inch Ball Penetrator Unit
P20351/4-inch Balls
P20401/2-inch Ball Penetrator Unit
P20451/2-inch Balls
P20551/16-inch Carbide Balls

Anvils

Part No. Description
A1010Pedestal Spot (1/4-inch) Anvil
A10201-1/2-inch Flat Anvil
A10302-1/2-inch Flat Anvil
A1040Shallow "V" Anvil
A1050Standard "V" Anvil
A10604-inch "V" Anvil
A1070Gooseneck Anvil
A1080Diamond Spot Anvil

Other Rockwell Accessories

Part No. Description
A2010Index Adjusting Unit
A2020Cross Pin Unit (For Dials)
A2030Elevating Unit Oil (1/2 pint)
A2040Dash Pot Oil (1/2 pint)
A3010Gooseneck Adapter 2-1/2-inch
A30208-inch Testing Table
A3030Jack Rest (8-inch or 12-inch)
A3040Extension Support
A3050Bulbs
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Brinell Test Blocks and Accessories

All Brinell Test Blocks come certified to applicable standards. We adhere to a strict procedure for our calibration process, and the accuracy of our tester is maintained using a proving ring and load cell both traceable to N.I.S.T. The readings are done using a stage micrometer, which is also calibrated and traceable to N.I.S.T.

Part No. Description Range
B30003000 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B20002000 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B15001500 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B10001000 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B0500500 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B0250250 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
B0187187.5 Kg Load 10mm BallAll Hardness Ranges
BT010Telebrinell Test BlocksAll Hardness Ranges

Brinell Accessories

Part No. Description
P301010mm Steel Balls
P302010mm Carbide Balls
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Microhardness Test Blocks and Accessories

We manufacture our microhardness test blocks to exceed industry standards. All of our micro test blocks are mirror polished and mounted to provide the best possible test surface. Each mirror-polished heavy-load Vickers test block has the same surface area provided by our Rockwell test blocks, so you get the most test opportunities for your money.

Part No. Description Range
MV010Vickers (1 gram to 1000 grams)All Ranges
MV020Heavy Load Vickers (1 Kg to 50 Kg)All Ranges
MK010Knoop (1 gram to 1000 grams)All Ranges

Note: When ordering, please specify Knoop or Vickers, load, and the hardness range you require.

Microhardness Penetrators

Part No. Description
P1110Vickers Diamond Penetrator
P1120Knoop Diamond Penetrator
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Hardness Testing Tips

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