Material Hardness FAQs

Brinell testing measures the hardness of metals by pressing a steel or carbide ball into the surface under a fixed load, then calculating hardness from the size of the indentation.

It is well-suited for coarse-grained materials like castings, forgings, and powder metallurgy parts, providing an average hardness over a larger area.

The Rockwell Hardness Test measures a material’s resistance to indentation by applying a fixed load and recording the depth. Unlike Brinell or Vickers, it gives a direct reading without optical measurement.

Vickers hardness measures a material’s resistance to deformation by pressing a diamond-shaped indenter into the surface and measuring the diagonals of the resulting mark.

The Vickers hardness test is known for its precision, broad application range, and ability to measure very small or thin samples with high accuracy.

Knoop hardness is measured by pressing a diamond-shaped indenter into a polished surface under a light load, then measuring the long diagonal of the resulting shallow impression.

Knoop hardness testing is ideal for very thin, brittle, or coated materials such as ceramics and glass, as it causes minimal damage and allows for precise hardness evaluation.