hardness tester with DAkkS calibration

Precise and ergonomic hardness testers for Vickers Brinell Rockwell Knoop

Hardness testers are used to determine the hardness of a material. A high level of hardness generally serves as protection against wear. On the other hand, hardness is also an indicator of deformability and a criterion for assessing elastic deformation, because hard usually also means brittle and susceptible to cracking. Hardness testers measure the resistance of a material to the penetration of a test specimen under defined conditions. Depending on the type of material and requirements, various methods are used, such as Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell for use.
Definition: Hardness is the mechanical resistance that a material offers to the mechanical penetration of another body.

hardness tester from INNOVATEST

The extensive product portfolio enables us to respond precisely to individual customer needs and budget requirements. The devices impress with their robust construction and a guarantee of up to 25 years – without a framework contract. Hardness testers from INNOVATEST are characterized by:

  • Quality and Reliability
  • Integration of state-of-the-art technologies and advanced software solutions
  • Warranties of up to 25 years, without additional framework agreement

The Future of Metal Hardness Testing

Optimizing your working time is crucial to increasing your productivity. INNOVATEST hardness testers are designed for ergonomics and efficiency. They enable a significant increase in productivity through standard-compliant, shortened test cycles and automation of processes. 

Prepared test programs and jobs can be started with just a few mouse clicks, eliminating the need for time-consuming parameter configuration.

Some models even automatically detect the surface of the test object, which further speeds up the process. For users with high test volumes, this means Time savings of several working hours per day – and thus a rapid amortization of the investment.

Automatic hardness testers are indispensable, especially for demanding tasks such as determining hardness curves, as they significantly reduce testing time compared to manual methods.

Examples:

  • CHD hardness curve with approx. 15 test impressions manually approx. 10-15 minutes.
  • Weld hardness test with up to 33 test impressions manually approx. 20-30 minutes

With a FALCON hardness tester, the effort is reduced to the set-up time: 1 or 3 minutes!

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Serving customers since 1970
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Hardness tester for metal from INNOVATEST: Quality features

  • Robust, reliable, durable, with warranties of up to 25 years, without framework agreement
  • World's largest selection of types for every budget or complex, automated test sequences
  • All hardness testers meet and exceed the requirements of the Vickers DIN EN ISO 6507 standards
  • 1, Brinell DIN EN ISO 6506-1, Rockwell DIN EN ISO 6508-1 and plastic hardness
  • Force application by means of electronic load cell (closed control loop)
  • Wide selection of support tables and motorized XY tables

Advantages of hardness testers from SCHÜTZ+LICHT:

  • Our know-how: Application consulting with over 50 years of experience
  • Delivery includes DAkkS test certificate and detailed training
  • Calibration customers receive free support (!)

Knowledge: Overview of hardness testing methods

Hardness testers work by measuring the resistance that a material offers to an applied force. The most common hardness testing methods are:

  • Brinell: In the hardness test according to Brinell is a carbide ball with a defined test force and pressed into the material. The resulting cap impression is optically measured on two diagonals and the hardness is calculated from this. The method is particularly suitable for soft to medium-hard materials such as unalloyed steels, aluminum, etc. This method is often used in heavy industry and in the manufacture of iron castings made of iron.
  • vickers: The Vickers hardness test is a pyramid-shaped diamond tip pressed into the material with a certain force. The resulting pyramid impression is optically measured on two diagonals and the hardness is calculated from this. It is the most versatile hardness testing method because it can be used for materials from extremely soft (lead) to extremely hard (hard metal, ceramic). Vickers is often used in research and development, in quality control and in the examination of thin surface coatings. The test forces range from 1 g to 120 kg. 
  • Rockwell: In the Rockwell hardness test, the hardness is determined by depth difference measurement determined during the test. To do this, a diamond cone (or a hard metal ball) is subjected to a defined initial and main force and then relieved of preload. The original HRC method (Rockwell hardness with cone) was modified by varying the test forces, cones and/or hard metal balls and can therefore also be used for medium-hard or soft metals. The Rockwell method (HRC) is the most commonly used Rockwell test method and is generally used for testing very hard products such as ball bearings, crankshafts, spring steels, knives, etc.

How to find the right hardness tester

The variety of hardness testers available on the market and the different methods make selecting the right device a challenging task, especially since not every method is equally suitable for all types of material. In addition, specific testing tasks require compliance with certain criteria and framework conditions. Given this complexity, expert advice is advisable in order to make an informed decision that takes into account both your budget and your technical requirements.

In addition, our knowledge pages provide a solid basis for a basic understanding of the various hardness testing methods and their applicability to different metals, so that you can make a sensible pre-selection before you decide on individual advice.

Here you can find an overview of the most common procedures.

hardness tester from SCHÜTZ+LICHT

Since 1970, our company has specialized in the delivery and servicing of new and used material testing machines - in this case hardness testers - and has been the main dealer in Germany for INNOVATEST hardness testers since 2006.
INNOVATEST is the world market leader for hardness testers and offers the largest selection – from the basic to the reference class – at recognized fair prices.

In addition to hardness testers, SCHÜTZ+LICHT offers other testing devices for material testing:

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FAQs

Which metal hardness tester is suitable for my needs?

With manually operated devices, each individual test must be initiated by the operator. For occasional tests, these cheaper hardness testers are the first choice.

For high test volumes, we would like to point out our fully automatic hardness testers. Qualified personnel are becoming increasingly scarce. The use of personnel must therefore be optimized through automation and operation should also be possible for semi-skilled personnel without errors. We recommend that you seek advice from an expert in order to make the best choice for your requirements: from basic to fully automatic machines (which can quickly save several working hours per day).

Why should I choose a metal hardness tester from INNOVATEST?

INNOVATEST hardness testers are manufactured in the Netherlands according to European quality standards and are characterized by the following features:

  • High mechanical quality for long service life and reliability
  • Intuitive operation: easy training even for complex testing tasks
  • Globally unique features and innovations

Which test methods does an INNOVATEST hardness tester support?

In addition to the standard Vickers, Brinell and Rockwell testing methods, INNOVATEST hardness testers also allow testing according to Knoop or ball indentation hardness on plastics. The automatic hardness testers with motorized XY tables are particularly interesting, as they can reduce the amount of work by up to 90%. In addition to the standardized methods, INNOVATEST hardness testers can also be used to carry out special methods such as HVT and HBT.

Who calibrates my hardness testers and how do I get spare parts?

SCHÜTZ+LICHT stocks typical spare parts. Other spare parts can usually be sent by express from Maastricht within one day.
As a rule, the spare parts are installed by our service technicians. However, simple repairs (replacing a power supply, lenses, etc.) can also be carried out by the operator or your maintenance department. DAkkS calibration and maintenance of the devices is carried out by SCHÜTZ+LICHT, in special cases with the support of the manufacturer.

However, in around 90% of all “malfunctions” it is possible to resolve the problem remotely (Teamviewer). For this, (temporary) internet access must be provided.

Interested? Contact us now!

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