Hardness Testing

Test Center | Accreditation | Mechanical Testing | Metallurgical Testing

What it's all about...
Hardness testing, which includes Brinell, Rockwell , and Leeb measures hardness by impressing an indentor into the surface of the material under a specified load.

• Brinell testing measures hardness by impressing a 10mm tungsten carbide ball into the surface of the material with a 3000kg load. The diameter of the impression is measured with a portable microscope and converted into a Brinell Hardness Number (HBW). Testing is in accordance with ASTM E10 and A370.
• Rockwell testing measures hardness by pressing either a 1/16" diameter steel ball or a diamond penetrator into the material surface. The Rockwell test measures the depth of the penetration and hardness is read directly on a dial or digital readout. Testing is conducted in accordance with ASTM E18 and A370.
• Leeb testing measures hardness by using a calibrated instrument that impacts a diamond tipped body (generated by a spring force) onto the surface of the material to be tested. Hardness is indicated on an electronic digital display. Testing is performed in accordance with ASTM A956, but is not included in our scope of accreditation.

Capabilities

• Two 4-post hydraulic brinell machines can handle bars up to 12" diameter. Two C-type hydraulic brinell machines are used for testing small sections and samples.
• A Versitron digital Rockwell hardness testing tester and a Wilson analog Rockwell hardness tester for testing to the B, C, 15T and 15N scales.
• Portable hardness testers include Equotip Leeb hardness tester.