Technology continues to advance the quality, features and user friendliness of testers measuring hardness and roughness of metals. Portable and handheld testers contain the ability to measure from any position. LCD screens provide readouts with the push of a button and light weight means easy access anywhere in shop or field. PC software comes with some of the models to use in gathering information, charts and presentations for certifications.
The tester marketplace contains many types of testers, each with specific capabilities. When selecting a new tester for a hardness or metal roughness measurement in shop or field, consider the following:
1. Determine the amount of use/time required for a handheld metal analyzer, from hardly at all (low-end) or most of the time (higher-end), when considering price.
2. Think of the benefits of obtaining both a hardness and a metal roughness tester, especially for production facilities.
3. Look at cost benefits in outsourcing your metal testing requirements.
Buy a portable metal roughness tester with or without PC interface
Some models come with built-in or detachable stylus and English/metric readouts. Optional styluses are available for certain models to measure bores, holes or grooves.
Purchase a portable metal hardness tester
Choose static or impact type testing units with different hardness scales.
Get a hardness and surface roughness test at laboratory service companies
Let professional service companies provide the precise measurements required for your business. Save costs associated with purchasing a metal surface roughness tester or metal hardness tester, maintenance of equipment and hiring additional in-house employees.
Choose hardness or metal roughness testers from the manufacturer
Deal with companies that manufacture and specialize in metallurgical equipment and solutions.
- Common hardness scales for a handheld metal analyzer include HV (Vickers hardness), HB (Brinell hardness), HRC (Rockwell hardness) and HS (Shore hardness) among others. Each tester's capability determines the type of hardness it measures.
- A metal surface roughness tester reads waviness (longer wavelength) and roughness (short wavelength).