What is metal hardness

Hardness is an important measure of the softness and hardness of metal materials. It can be understood as the material's ability to resist elastic deformation, plastic deformation or destruction, and describe the material's ability to resist residual deformation and anti-destruction. Hardness is not a simple physical concept, but a comprehensive indicator of mechanical properties such as elasticity, plasticity, strength and toughness of materials.

Overview of metal hardness

The hardness test can be divided into static pressure (such as Brinell hardness, Rockwell hardness, Vickers hardness, etc.), scratches (such as Mohs hardness), rebound method (such as Shore hardness) and micro hardness according to different test methods High temperature hardness and other methods.

Brinell hardness is expressed in HB [N (kgf/mm2)] (HBS \ HBW). In production, Brinell hardness is used to measure the strength or semi-finished products of annealed, normalized and quenched and tempered steels, as well as cast iron, non-ferrous metals, low alloy structural steels such as blankets.

Rockwell hardness can be divided into HRA, HRB, HRC, and HRD. The measurement range and application range are also different. Generally, HRC is produced the most. The indentation is small and can measure the hardness of thin and hard materials and finished products.

Vickers hardness is represented by HV, a measures very thin samples.