A rockwell hardness tester for sale is an instrument that measures the strength and stiffness of a material, especially metals. Typically, the instrument uses a hard tool—usually either a diamond cone or steel ball—to penetrate the surface of the material and leave an impression. Different test methods exist for different materials and applications.

The Rockwell hardness tester is the most popular due to its versatility. It can use a diamond cone or steel ball and easily convert to other testing scales. It can also test a variety of surface textures including abrasive, smooth and rough.

For more specialized materials and applications, a Brinell or Vickers hardness tester is used. These microhardness testers are designed to test various types of metal alloys and can use a wide range of indenter sizes. The results from these hardness testers are more accurate than those from the Rockwell method. However, these tests require more time since the optical measurement of the impression requires precise preparation of the surface and a highly stable system.

Other microhardness testing techniques include the Knoop and Vickers. The Knoop method uses a pyramid-shaped indenter that distributes the force evenly over the surface of the sample, making it more suitable for soft metals. However, the test load is relatively low, so the measurement may not be as legible. The Vickers method, on the other hand, uses a spherical indenter that is better for testing abrasive materials.

Whether you need a simple analog or digital hardness tester for your lab or a portable, non-destructive tester for onsite testing, we offer a variety of models to suit your needs. Our collection includes abrasive and non-abrasive models that use diamond or steel indenters, as well as both standard and digital Rockwell scales. We also have a variety of testers for testing curved surfaces.

Metallurgical laboratories, quality control departments and failure analysis centers around the world use Buehler metallographic equipment. The company designs and manufactures a complete line of cross-sectional inspection systems, from basic Rockwell testers to advanced microscopes that support X-ray analysis and microhardness testing. Buehler is a trusted brand in the industry that offers innovative solutions for testing and inspection. To learn more about our inventory, contact a member of our sales team today.