A portable hardness testing device can be used to measure the hardness of materials in situ. This method is convenient, cost-effective, and quicker than a testing machine. Using a hardness tester can measure Rockwell, Brinell, or Vicker’s hardness. The tests can be performed on parts with varying wall thicknesses and surfaces.

Rebound Method

A portable hardness testing tool is a good choice if you need to measure the hardness of smaller parts. This tool is easy to use and has similar limitations to bench testing. This type of tool is also known as a UCI tester. It was originally designed to measure tool steel HRC values but has since expanded into various other markets. For example, it can measure the hardness of welds in thinner materials because it has a small footprint. However, the smaller footprint limits measurement to the toe of the weld, which is why it is a good choice for gear teeth.

Rockwell Method

If you are considering purchasing a portable Rockwell hardness testing tool, you have a variety of options. These systems vary in size and function, but they all offer the same basic testing capabilities. Typically, these systems can be used to measure hardness and brittleness. They may be operated by manually applying test forces to the test sample, or they may be operated by pushing a button. In either case, you should read the manufacturer’s manual and follow its instructions carefully. You should also avoid holding the test material while it is being tested, as this may cause the material to move during the test.

Brinell Method

A portable hardness testing tool is a convenient and fast way to test the hardness of a part or material without having to take it to a test bench. The tool is an electronic device that records and stores measurement results. It also allows users to transfer the results to a computer using the special software included with the tester. While a bench hardness tester is useful in some cases, the benefits of portable tools outweigh the disadvantages.

The Brinell hardness test is a nondestructive and rapid method of determining the hardness of materials. A ball made of hardened steel or carbide is impacted against the material to measure its hardness. A hardness value is determined by dividing the load by the indentation area.

Ultrasonic Method

Ultrasonic methods are used to test the hardness of materials. The frequency of the vibrating rod increases with force applied and with the surface roughness. Different sensors have different frequencies for different surfaces. A standard sensor has a test force of 20 N. Others are calibrated to test the hardness of surfaces with a roughness of 3.2 um and fifteen um.

The difference between these two hardness measurements is due to the temperature of the materials. While the temperature does not directly affect the hardness of materials, it does influence the measurement. The measurement will be accurate if the material under test and the test method are consistent.

Ball Indenter Method

The ball indenter method is an inexpensive and portable way to test the hardness of a material. This method uses a concave surface and an indenter with a circular cross-section. The ball diameter and the indentation area are divided by the applied load to determine the material’s hardness. It requires minimal sample preparation. The surface roughness of a material must be a minimum of one-tenth of its thickness. This method can be performed on production samples. The indenter used must be symmetrical to the sample surface. Indenters made of diamond are recommended for materials with hardness over 650 HB/30. Depending on the application, special hardness test equipment may be required.

Benchtop Method

Benchtop hardness testing devices use Brinell, Rockwell, or Vickers methods to measure the hardness of materials. However, they can be large and heavy and require installation. In contrast, a portable hardness tester is light and portable and does not require a sample of the material to be tested. Benchtop testing devices have several advantages over portable testers. They can test a variety of different materials and can be used to validate measurements. In addition, the portable version does not require calibration of the instrument. As a result, the test results can be verified on a wide range of materials, such as metals, plastics, and ceramics.