Welcome to the Metal-Testers Hardness Tester page. As you can see, we have pretty much every hardness testing application covered. Our Rockwell Hardness Tester offering is the largest in the industry. There are standard rockwell hardness testers, superficial rockwell hardness testers and twin rockwell/superficial rockwell hardness testers. We carry analog rockwell hardness testers for users who don’t need the digital hardness tester advantages. The digital rockwell hardness testers come in many variations. These will include dolphin nose hardness testers, so ID’s can be tested, as well as completely automatic models with Auto Z-axis for single button testing. We offer Brinell Hardness Testers in similar fashion. All digital models, the more advanced with auto Z axis and touchscreen control and optics. The Vickers Hardness Testers come in both Micro Vickers(Below 1kg weight loads) and Macro Vickers(above 1kg load). More advanced models have auto z axis with complete pre-programmed ability to run tests without operator. The Portable Hardness Testers are the comprehensive in the Industry. Whether the application is for gear-teeth hardness testing or Non-destructive hardness testing using ultrasonic portable hardness testers, Metal-Testers has it all.

PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTING
Why portable hardness testing? Portable hardness testers have come of age since the late 90’s, with a vast offering of high tech, digital instrumentation. Small, compact and menu driven, these portable hardness testers have never been easier to use for unlimited types of applications.

There are two basic methods of portable hardness testing that is accepted in the field today.

“Dynamic Impact” is based on the Leeb principle of hardness,developed by Dietmar Leeb in the 1970’s. A spring loaded impact body is thrust to the test surface, effecting rebound. The speed of both the initial thrust and the rebound is measured in a non-contact mode. This is calculated as a Leeb hardness value and then automatically converted to Rockwell C, B, Brinell, Vickers and Shore Values. It has effectually brought easy, fast and accurate results to portable hardness testing.

“Ultrasonic Contact Impedance” is based on a 136 degree diamond at the end of a vibrating rod being depressed into the test surface at a fixed load. The difference in Ultrasonic vibration frequency is then calculated into a hardness value. The UCI hardness test procedure is slower than the Dynamic Impact style, however the “UCI” method of hardness testing is portable, easy and accurate. It also has its own advantages when utilized for certain testing applications. UCI portable hardness testers are not restricted to large mass items like dynamic type hardness testers. These units can test metals as thin as 1mm and at a hardness value as low as 20HRC (75HB). They also excel at performing hardness tests on larger, harder metals as well. Another reason for the rise in popularity is due to the fact that the UCI method is categorized as “Non-Destructive”. That translates into less scrap parts/ lower mfg costs due to necessary inspections.