Material hardness is an important measurement in many industrial fields such as metalworking, manufacturing, and more. You can gauge material hardness in a variety of ways, as there are several different tests a worker can perform to determine this quality. If you are new to this test, here is how to measure the hardness of materials and what you’ll need to perform it.

What Is Material Hardness?

Hardness is a quality of a material and how resistant that material is to deformation under certain stress tests. Hardness—not to be confused with material strength or toughness—is just one property of a material. Manufacturers commonly measure material hardness and other properties for construction and other purposes.

Types of Hardness Tests

You can determine the hardness of a material through a variety of tests. The four main tests are the Rockwell Hardness Test, the Vickers Hardness Test, the Knoop Hardness Test, and the Brinell Hardness Test. Depending on the industry, each hardness test may be used more than others. They all have different benefits and procedures, so before you begin, consider the materials you’re working with and how compatible they will be with each test.

How To Test

You will need a certain set of tools and conditions for each hardness test. For example, you can calculate hardness with the Rockwell Hardness Test by using an indenting tool and measuring the depth of said indent into your working material. The Rockwell Hardness Test is a quick and easy test, which makes it ideal for production in workshops. It’s also ideal for metallic materials, so if your metalworking shop is looking for a Rockwell Hardness tester for sale, look no further than Penn Tool Company.

Measuring material hardness is key to ensuring your materials hold up during processing, no matter what industrial field your business falls into. This is why it’s important to know how to measure the hardness of materials before starting your production process. Otherwise, you might risk damaging your products and having to start from scratch. Save your business time and money in materials by measuring for hardness first.