The Rockwell hardness test is an indentation hardness test that involves forcing a tungsten carbide (or steel) ball indenter or a diamond spheroconical indenter into the surface of the material being tested under specific conditions. The indentation depth is then measured as the indenter’s force is increased from a predetermined preliminary test force to a predetermined total test force and then decreased to the predetermined preliminary test force.

An empirical indentation hardness test that can reveal important details about metallic materials is the Rockwell hardness test. This knowledge could be connected to tensile strength, wear resistance, ductility, and other physical properties of metallic materials, and it could be helpful for material selection and quality control.

For acceptance testing of commercial shipments, Rockwell hardness tests are deemed sufficient. Except as otherwise specified, adherence to this standard test technique ensures traceability to national Rockwell hardness requirements.

NextGen’s RockGen DGEN Series – Digital Rockwell Hardness Tester complies with ASTM E-18 standard.

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