A global distributor of precision measurement tools
800.469.0132
My Account
View Cart
Products
Back
Bevel Gages
Bore Gages
Caliper Gages
Calipers
Chamfer Gages
Countersink Gages
Depth Gages
Dial Gage Stands
Durometers
Force Gages
Gage Blocks
Hardness Testers
Height Gages
Hole Gages
Indicators
Laser Scan Micrometers
Levels
Linear Scales
Measuring Sets
Micrometer Heads
Micrometers
Microscopes
Miscellaneous Gages
Optical Comparators
Output Cables
Pin Gages
Probes
Protractors
Reference Gages
Rivet Gages
Rules
Snap Gages
Squares
Surface Roughness
Thickness Gages
Thread Gages
Tool Presetters
Torque Gages
Vibration Testers
Brands
Back
Fowler
Mitutoyo
Starrett
INSIZE
SPI
Bowers Metrology
Phase II+
Vermont Gage
Sylvac
WYLER
Dorsey Metrology
Trimos
Brown and Sharpe
Meyer Gage Company
Mahr Federal
Standard Gage
Barcor
Galaxy
CDI
Asimeto
Resources
Blog
Videos
FAQs
Glossary
Newsletters
About
Contact
Glossary
Hardness
Hardness is a property of all materials and refers to the ability of a material to resist deformation. The harder a material is, the more resistance it has to scratching, cutting, abrasion, or indentation. Additionally, hardness means resistance to permanent breakage, which can occur through the material being bent, broken, or altered in such a way that its shape changes. Usually, hardness is tested by the application of some type of force, looking to see how much damage results. A few tests of hardness include the Mohs Scale, the Brinell Hardness Test, the Vickers Hardness Test, the Rockwell Hardness Test, and the Shore Hardness Test. Higher degree of hardness is not always the property that is needed. For particular jobs, the intention of testing hardness is to determine if a material is the appropriate level of soft, and therefore malleable. Testing the hardness level of a material is very important in knowing a part can withstand any potential pressures or forces.
Back to entire glossary
Live Chat
Check Out Now
or
Continue Shopping
Cart Summary
Close