What aspects should be considered when choosing a hardness tester?

Before choosing a hardness tester, here are the main factors to consider:

Test load: This depends on the hardness of the material. For example, metals such as steel or alloys require test loads of up to 3000kgf, while soft metals only require 500kgf. The higher the load, the higher the accuracy. It should be noted that the indentation should not exceed 1/10 of the sample thickness.

Hardness range: determines the material of the indenter. When the hardness exceeds 650 HB/30, it is best to use a diamond indenter. Below this value, either steel or hard metal indenter can be used.

Accuracy level: Depends on the surface condition of the sample to be tested. When conducting the Leeb hardness test, there are strict requirements for the surface condition of the test piece. The temperature should not be too high, and should be kept clean, free of oil stains and other attachments that would hinder the detection. At the same time, the surface roughness should be less than 1.6um, otherwise Will affect the detection accuracy of Leeb hardness tester.

Equipment flexibility: Its importance varies depending on the shape and size of the sample to be tested. If you want to test samples with rough surfaces, you can choose a Brinell hardness tester. If you want to test installed mechanical parts or permanently assembled parts, you can choose a Leeb hardness tester. The instrument is lightweight and easy to carry.