Buy hardness testers & hardness testing devices – for precise and standard-compliant material testing
A hardness tester is used to determine the hardness of a material. High hardness generally serves as wear protection. On the other hand, hardness is also an indicator of deformability and a criterion for assessing formability, 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 material type and requirements, various methods are used, such as Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell for use.
Hardness tester & hardness testing device from INNOVATEST
INNOVATEST is one of the world's leading manufacturers of hardness testers and offers the widest selection on the market: from compact entry-level models to fully automated reference-class systems. The comprehensive product portfolio allows us to precisely address individual customer needs and budget requirements. The devices impress with their robust construction and a warranty of up to 25 years – without a framework agreement. An INNOVATEST hardness testing machine is characterized by:
- Quality and Reliability
- Integration of state-of-the-art technologies and advanced software solutions
- Standard warranty of 2 years – optionally extendable to up to 25 years, without additional framework agreement
Hardness tester from INNOVATEST: The future of 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 hardness tester, the effort is reduced to the setup time: 1 or 3 minutes!
Hardness testers 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 standards Vickers DIN EN ISO 6507-1, 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
Since 1970, SCHÜTZ+LICHT has specialized in the supply and service of new and used materials testing machines – with a particular focus on hardness testers. Since 2006, we have been the exclusive main dealer for INNOVATEST in Germany. When you purchase from SCHÜTZ+LICHT, you benefit from these advantages:
Lived quality
All INNOVATEST hardness testers come with a 2-year warranty, with an optional extension available.
Serving customers since 1970
Professional testing to determine whether the hardness testing task can be carried out efficiently and in compliance with standards.
quality at a fair price
Our equipment offers the best quality-price ratio.
Our know-how
We provide application advice with over 50 years of experience.
DAkkS test certificate
The delivery includes a DAkkS test certificate and detailed training.
Free support
Calibration customers receive free support.
How to find the right hardness tester for your requirements
The variety of hardness testers available on the market and the different methods used make selecting the right hardness tester a challenging task, especially since not every method is equally suitable for all types of materials. Furthermore, specific testing tasks require compliance with certain criteria and conditions. Given this complexity, Expert advice essential to make an informed decision that takes into account both your budget and your technical requirements.
In addition, our knowledge pages a solid basis for a fundamental understanding of the various hardness testing methods and their applicability to different metals, so that you can make a sensible pre-selection before deciding on individual advice.
Knowledge: Overview of hardness testing methods
The functionality of a hardness testing machine is based on measuring the resistance 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 A defined test force is applied and pressed into the material. The resulting spherical impression is optically measured along two diagonals, and the hardness is calculated from this. This method is particularly suitable for soft to medium-hard materials such as unalloyed steels, aluminum, etc. This process is frequently used in heavy industry and in the production of iron castings.
- Vickers: In the hardness test according to Vickers 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 hardness test according to Rockwell 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.
Buy hardness testers at SCHÜTZ+LICHT
Since 1970, our company has specialized in the supply and service of new and used materials testing machines and has been the main dealer in Germany for INNOVATEST hardness testers since 2006.
In addition to hardness testing machines, SCHÜTZ+LICHT offers other testing devices for materials testing:
FAQs
Which metal hardness tester is suitable for my needs?
With manually operated devices, each individual test must be initiated by the operator. These less expensive hardness testers are the first choice for occasional tests.
For high-volume testing, we recommend our fully automated hardness testers, which can quickly save several hours of work per day. Qualified personnel are also becoming increasingly scarce, so personnel deployment must be optimized through automation, and operation should be error-free even for semi-skilled personnel. We recommend consulting an expert to make the best choice for your requirements.
Why should I choose a hardness tester from INNOVATEST?
An INNOVATEST hardness tester is manufactured in the Netherlands according to European quality standards and is 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
- 2-year warranty – optionally extendable to up to 25 years, without additional framework agreement
Which test methods does an INNOVATEST hardness tester support?
In addition to the common Vickers, Brinell, and Rockwell testing methods, an INNOVATEST hardness tester also enables Knoop testing or ball indentation hardness testing on plastics. Automatic hardness testers with motorized XY tables are particularly interesting, as they can reduce labor by up to 90%. In addition to standardized methods, INNOVATEST hardness testers can also Special procedures such as HVT and HBT be performed.
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.
Spare parts are usually installed by our service technicians. However, simple repairs (replacing a power supply, lenses, etc.) can also be performed by the operator or your maintenance department. DAkkS calibration and maintenance of the devices are performed by SCHÜTZ+LICHT, with support from the manufacturer in special cases.
However, in approximately 90% of all "faults," troubleshooting is possible via remote maintenance (TeamViewer). All that's required is (temporary) internet access.
