Hardness Testing Connection

How to determine which Rockwell Scale to use

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Foremost to any Rockwell test process is identification of the proper hardness scale to be used on the component to be tested.

Tags: Rockwell

Category: Test Tip

Test block grid patterns provide accuracy in indentation spacing

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:38:00 GMT

ASTM provides specifications for appropriate indent placement on Rockwell and Brinell hardness test blocks. The purpose of these distances is to ensure that any new indentation is not influenced by work hardening of the materials’ edge or material around a previous indentation, sometimes referred to as the “affected zone”. So what's the easiest way to accurately follow these specifications without impeding on your efficiency? Etching.

Tags: Rockwell,brinell

Category: Test Tip

Why use Knoop versus Vickers testing?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:59:00 GMT

Often, individuals whom are intending to carry out micro hardness testing ask about the differences between a Knoop test and a Vickers test and why they should choose one form over the other. Great Question! And the best answer is that choosing the right form of hardness test is paramount in obtaining quality testing data.

Tags: Knoop,Vickers

Category: Q&A

What are the different types of Rockwell verifications and when are they required?

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:50:00 GMT

Tester verification is a commonly asked question regarding adherence to the latest ASTM E18 testing standard. Many individuals are curious about when it is appropriate and or required to have a verification performed. Other common questions circling this topic include the differences between indirect verification and direct verification.

Tags: Rockwell

Category: Q&A

Rockwell Hardness Testing of Thin Materials

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:45:00 GMT

Material thickness is of primary importance when choosing a Rockwell hardness scale. Too great a test load can cause material flow to occur throughout the full material thickness and to therefore react against the tester anvil. This reaction results in erroneous readings and significant misinterpretation of the actual material hardness.

Tags: Rockwell

Category: Test Tip

How far apart should I space each Rockwell hardness test?

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Indent spacing is a very common concern during specimen testing or coupon block verification. The purpose for these distances is to ensure that any new indentation is not influenced by work hardening of the materials’ edge or material around a previous indentation.

Tags: Rockwell

Category: Q&A

A Materials Testing Community

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:10:00 GMT

Are you interested in learning about other types of materials testing? Do you want to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the materials testing industry?

Inaccurate Results due to the Curvature of the Material

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:53:00 GMT

If you are performing a hardness tests on a cylindrical, convex, or concave surface, your actual results may be inaccurate due to the curvature of the material. In most cases, these inaccurate results should be accounted and adjusted for when reporting actual material hardness.

Tags: Rockwell,Knoop,Vickers,Accessories

Category: Test Tip

Increasing Efficiency in Knoop and Vickers Testing

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:20:00 GMT

It is the day and age of being efficient. We are seeing an increase in energy efficiency improvements on our houses, new and improved gas-efficient automobiles, and an increased demand for efficiency in the workplace. So why not increase the efficiency in your Knoop and Vickers Testing?

Tags: Knoop,Vickers

Category: Test Tip

The Importance of Perpendicularity in Rockwell Testing

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:57:00 GMT

The majority of our customers are performing Rockwell tests on their materials and we often find ourselves stressing to them the importance of perpendicularity of the specimen to the indenter. Perpendicularity is one of the two fundamental requirements in Rockwell testing, with the other being that the test piece does not move or slip during the test.

Tags: Rockwell

Category: Test Tip