Automatic hardness testing machines

Types of automatic hardness testing machines

Automatic hardness testers are used to measure a material's resistance to indentation, deformation, or penetration as a function of applied load, usually by the use of a specified indenter. Hardness testing machines, particularly the automatic ones, are vital equipment in many industrial processes where steel and metalworking are involved.

Rockwell automatic hardness tester

The Rockwell automatic hardness tester uses different loads corresponding to materials and scales and measures the depth of penetration of the indenter under the load to obtain hardness value. It is widely used for its speed, simplicity, and ability to provide direct results without additional calculations, making it suitable for in-line production testing.

Vickers automatic hardness tester

A Vickers automatic hardness tester employs a diamond-shaped bifacial pyramidal indenter and applies a measured load to the apex which measures the diagonal length of the indentation after removing the load to compute the hardness value. It is the most versatile as it tests all metals regardless of thickness or size using a small indenter that allows dominion over tight-angled corners and small pieces.

Brinell automatic hardness tester

The Brinell automatic hardness tester employs a steel or hardened tungsten carbide ball indenter, usually 10mm in diameter; it's pressed into the test sample's surface by a defined load, then the load is removed and measures the ball's indentation the diameter average to mitigate superficial anomalies to obtain the Brinell hardness number (BHN) - a major value in soft metal assessment. It is primarily employed in testing non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and brass due to its soft metal suitability and large indentation providing an average of superficial anomalies for representative results.

Knoop automatic hardness tester

The Knoop automatic hardness tester uses a rhomboid-shaped, asymmetric, pyramidal indenter that applies the load on the material surface which measures the indentation lengths on the two opposite faces to compute the hardness value using a defined formula. It's suited for thin materials, coatings, and small-sized samples in metallurgy and materials science.

Industry application automatic hardness testing machines

Automatic hardness testers measure a solid's mechanical property, hardness, which is its resistance to deformation and especially indentation or penetration. Hardness is an important property since it relates to, among other things, strength, durability, wear resistance, and elastic modulus.

Automotive industry

Automatic hardness testers are ubiquitous in the automotive industry wherein steel and non-ferrous metals are extensively used; hardness testing ensures the components used such as gears, axles, and engine parts, are appropriate materials with optimum hardness.

The ideal hardness range for tires is 65 to 90 durometer shore A. It validates the materials for strength, wear resistance, and fatigue to ensure they can withstand the tensile forces, twisting, and impact se.

Manufacturing industry

In manufacturing, hardness testing categorically helps determine tools and machinery components, which includes die, mold, cutter, drill, blade, and cutting and grinding wheels, and the material used to make the machines like the spindle, chuck, and tooling. When creating a new alloy, the designer seeks to retain the properties of the base metal while improving the weakness ones. They do this by mixing additives in small quantities, such as carbon, silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and nearly all metals, to make austenitic and martensitic steels for use in different tasks, including welding and machining.

Metallurgy and materials research and testing laboratories

Automatic hardness testers are applied in metallurgy and materials science dedicated research laboratories wherein various facets of metals and hard materials are examined. It enables them to explore different metals under different conditions, how they respond to welding and machining, and the changes they undergo with heat treatment. There are 2000 series aircraft aluminum. They test well in machines due to their low hardness and wear properties. They are less grindy and provide better surface finish, making them suitable for tools.

Electronics industry

With metal alloys, they make connectors, cables, computer parts such as heat sinks, motherboard, and chassis, and softer metals like copper, brass, and aluminum for battery terminals and the casing to avoid scratches, dents, or warping; hardness testing is done to validate structural integrity and electrical conductivity.

Metalworking industry/steel industry

Hardness measurement is one way of assessing the hardening or tempering process in heat-treated steel. Ht hardness plasticity test machines are valuable in the metalworking industry and steel hardness testing. It evaluates raw materials, assess the efficacy of machining processes like turning, milling, drilling, grinding, etc., and examine how well the finished products, such as cut screws, nuts, bolts, nails, machine components, etc., can withstand deformation, dent, or rupture.

Product specifications and features automatic hardness testing machines

Technical specifications of automatic hardness testing machines

• Rockwell hardness test may be performed without any material preparation like cutting, filing, or grinding. Each test takes less than a minute to perform. Hardness value and other information may be accumulated even while testing.

  The object variable and test load are automatically adjusted proportionally to reduce possible human error. It is, therefore, recommended for large batches of the same material and small workpieces.

• Vickers hardness test

  Like the Rockwell hardness tester, the Vickers hardness tester can also test all metals regardless of thickness or size without any material preparation like cutting, filing, or grinding.

  The test is performed automatically as the load variable and indentation diagonal are automatically adjusted crediting minimal human error and short test time less than a minute.

• Brinell hardness test

  It is primarily employed in testing non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and brass due to its soft metal suitability and large indentation providing an average of superficial anomalies for representative results.

  The machine has a test load variable and measures indentation diameter automatically to reduce human errors; thus, it's recommended for large batches with homogenous fine materials.

• Knoop hardness test

  It tests thin materials, coatings, and small-sized samples in metallurgy and materials science.

  The Knoop hardness tester requires less time and is fully automated. It measures the indentations made by the specialized Knoop indenter with minimal human intervention, thus recommended for large homogenous fine material batches.

How to use

Automatic machine hardness testing involves various procedures depending on the technique being employed. These procedures are similar, requiring placing a test piece on the machine, fitting the indenter, and starting an automatic cycle during which the load is applied, the indentation is made, and the indentation width or depth is measured. In most industries, hardness testing is done by taking an average of various readings to eliminate superficial or internal anomalies that may affect the material's behavior during use.

Maintenance and repair of automatic hardness testing machines

To maintain the auto hardness tester, avoid manipulating the test piece; use a stable surface, and clean the surface of the material from any foreign objects before placing it on the tester. Also, the tester should be maintained and regularly inspected for any mechanical wear and tear and calibrated to ensure accurate readings consistently.

Quality and safety consideration automatic hardness testing machines

Quality consideration

• They collaborate with trusted manufacturers and suppliers of hardness testing machines and testers.
• Enterprises purchase quality machines to ensure those they use serve the purpose for which they were designed. The hardness equipment might be accredited by iATF16949, ISO, and other international standards.
• In addition to that, hardness testing machine manufacturers, like all manufacturers, have product lines, which means they have been making them for a long time and so are known to care about the quality of their products. Buying from a Gold supplier means they have been vetted by and deal with Alibaba.com.
• The machines must be versatile and accommodate different hardness tests, such as Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, Knoop, and Shore. Several metal hardness testers from manufacturers and suppliers of automatic portable hardness tester machines offer various hardness tests, including Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, Knoop, and Shore. The metals used in its manufacturing should be of good quality. It should have a high-quality metric screw gauge. It should be backed by a big, well-organized company. Its hardness test specimens might be traceable to standards like ASTM, ANSI, and others. Automated testers reduce human error, are more accurate, and answer the call of the day for speed.
• Check the specifications such as load cell, resolution, measurement system etc. Check the features like automatic recording, data analysis, display etc. Do they have the zone of control ergonomically?

Safety consideration for automatic hardness testing machines

• Enterprises work with quality expertness and professionalism without compromising safety for themselves and the environment; thus, they minimize tester risks. Fatal accidents can happen. Group exert pressure together on instruments such as hardness testers with flat bases to do away with potential hazards such as falling over or toppling. Ensure the machine has emergency switches for stopping the equipment in emergencies; only some hardness testers have this facility. It's important to work on machinery and test pieces sober, with clear heads, with safety, no loose clothing, long hairs, and other items that can easily get caught in the machinery. The work area should be cleaned of spills that can make one slip, and any hard items dropped on the floor should be picked up because they can hurt the feet. Those in hazardous work should have proper PPE like gloves, goggles, and work boots. If the tester uses indenter tips, a person handling them should be very careful not to handle them with bare hands, and after handling them, they should be kept where just anyone can't reach them. There is a possibility that some pieces might have sharp edges or have been worked on or products that have sharp edges, and some chemical reactions might occur; therefore, precautionary measures must be taken when carrying, handling, and storing such products.

Q&A

Q1. What is automatic hardness testing machines?

A1: Hardness testing machines, particularly the portable ones, are vital machines for non-destructive hardness testing. For example, Rockwell, Vickers, and Brinell hardness tests can be performed with this machine. It measures hardness by checking how much the indenter material used in these tests recessed into the surface of the sample material under the load. It provides instant results without much hassle.

Q2. What are the types of automatic hardness testing machines?

A2: Automatic hardness machines are vigorously used in the following industries: the manufacturing industry, quality control and assurance, welding and metallurgy, research and development, and the materials industry.

Q3. How does automatic hardness testing machines work?

A3: They are easy to operate. After placing the material, the right indenter is chosen. The load is set, and the machine is switched on. The results are displayed on the screen and saved in its storage. The test piece is fixed in such a way that it does not move on the machine during the test. The machine is also fixed in such a way that it does not move related to the test piece. The material to be tested is placed on the machine table. The table is moved up until it makes contact with the testing indenter. The load is applied gradually until it reaches the predetermined value. After the load is applied, the table is moved up even more to push the indenter into the material. At last, the load is removed gradually.

Q4. What are some of the most practical hardness testing machines for steel and metals?

A4: Several metal hardness testers from manufacturers and suppliers of automatic portable hardness tester machines offer various hardness tests, including Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, Knoop, and Shore. They are suitable for small workpieces and can test materials like a completed engine and electronic parts. They are also suitable for field use if they are battery powered. Lab versions are more accurate because they are more stable and have better quality load cells.