Rockwell / Superficial Rockwell Hardness Measurement
ASTM E 18 / ISO 6508 / ASTM D 785 / ISO 2039
Rockwell hardness testing is an indentation testing method for measuring the hardness of metallic and polymer materials. An intender is pressed into the surface of the test sample at a prescribed load to measure the material’s resistance to deformation. A Rockwell hardness number is calculated from the depth of indentation or permanent deformation. Various indenters combined with a range of test loads from a matrix of Rockwell hardness scales that are applicable to wide variety of applications and materials.
Generally, there are two general classifications of the Rockwell test:
- Rockwell: measures the hardness of the material. There are different scales for ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, and plastics. Common Rockwell hardness scales include HRB and HRC for metals and HRM and HRR for polymers.
- Superficial Rockwell: A more surface sensitive hardness measurement scale. This technique is useful for samples with hardness gradients at the surface, to test small areas, and for thin samples. Superficial Rockwell hardness scales are N and T for metals and W, X, and Y for nonmetallic materials and coatings.
Our new Twin Rockwell/Rockwell superficial type hardness tester covers all Rockwell and Rockwell Superficial scales (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, P, R, S, V, 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T, 15W, 30W, 45W, 15X, 30X, 45X, 15Y, 30Y, and 4Y) and conforms to ASTM E18 (Metals), ISO 6508 (Metals), ASTM D785 (Plastics), and ISO 2039 (Plastics) Standards.
