Rockwell testing is the most commonly conducted hardness testing. The testing procedure is simple, and the readings can be directly attained from the testing machine.

During the past few decades, fluidized-bed technology has not lost any of its importance for heat-treatment applications in terms of quality and has even become indispensable in some application niches due to its special properties.

Wall Colmonoy announced a $2.5 million modernization plan at its Alloy Products plant in Los Lunas, New Mexico. The project aims to increase capacity, improve processes and add new capabilities. The investment includes upgrades to plant infrastructure and environment, alloy furnace equipment and the R&D laboratory. The focus is on continuous-improvement initiatives to supply consistent, quality products on time to customers.

If the objective of the hardness test is to measure the depth of case, it will be necessary for the test operator to understand the definition of case depth. Case depth is the formed case that has occurred to whatever depth was specified. 

For through-hardened steels, in order to achieve a good and true hardness result, it is necessary to test the substrate material by grinding beneath the oxide and decarburized layer.

Hardness testing determines the success of the heat-treatment procedure and the material’s response to that heat treatment. The results of a hardness test can indicate...

Shifts in measured hardness due to elevated temperature could lead to false acceptance or rejection of heat-treated parts.

Hardness testing determines the success of the heat-treatment procedure and the material’s response to that heat treatment.

Sun-Tec Corporation, ASTM members, uniquely specializes in hardness testing equipment that includes Rockwell-type, Vickers/Knoop, Brinell, ductility and tension/compression, along with metallographic equipment and consumables.

Understanding the different hardness testing types and systems can be useful to determine an optimal solution. Hardness testing functionality has evolved, and now users can dial into world-class-caliber instrumentation that more closely aligns with their applications at hand.