Hardness tester is an instrument specifically designed to test the hardness of materials. By principles such as indentation or rebound, it converts material hardness into a specific numerical value; widely used in fields such as metal processing, rubber and plastics, and quality inspection. They are primarily categorized into types—such as Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, Leeb, and Shore—based on the testing principle and the material being tested; selecting the correct type is essential for accurate measurement.
Different materials require different hardness testers; choosing the wrong one not only leads to inaccurate test but may also damage the instrument or the workpiece.
Testing metal raw materials or large components:
1.Brinell Hardness Tester：Using a steel ball indenter produces a large
indentation, suitable for testing softer or coarse-grained materials such as cast iron and non-ferrous metals; while the results are stable, the method is not suitable for finished products.
2.Rockwell Hardness Tester:It offers rapid operation and produces small indentations; suitable for testing harder materials such as quenched steel and cemented carbide, it is commonly used for quality control in factories.
3.Leeb Hardness Tester:Portable, using the impact rebound principle, suitable for testing large workpieces, installed components or on-site inspection, easy to carry
Testing thin components, coatings, or tiny parts:
1.Macro Vickers Hardness Tester:It employs a diamond square-based pyramidal indenter, offering high precision; it is suitable for testing thin sheets, fine wires, and surface-treated layers (such as carburized layers).
2.Micro Vickers Hardness Tester:It employs lower force values and is designed for testing minute areas, such as integrated circuits, watch components, and coating thicknesses.
3.Webster Hardness Tester:Portable clamp-style instrument designed specifically for aluminum alloy profiles and tubes; enables rapid on-site testing without the need for sampling.
Testing rubber, plastic, or foam:
1.Shore Hardness Tester : Designed specifically for non-metallic materials—such as rubber seals, plastic films, and sponge—and available in Type A (soft) and Type D (hard) versions.
Price and Brand?
The price range for hardness testers is vast, spanning from hundreds USD for handheld models to hundreds of thousands for precision benchtop units, depending primarily on accuracy and functionality.
1.Leeb/Webster：Approximately 600 to 5,000 USD; suitable for rapid on-site testing.
2.Benchtop Rockwell/Vickers :about 5000 to 50000 USD,Suitable for precision laboratory measurements.
3.Benchtop Universal : Capable of handling values exceeding 100,000 USD, supports multiple testing methods, and features a high degree of automation.
4.Spare parts: such as diamond indentor price from 40USD
5.Brands from China :Mikrosize ,As one of the earliest domestic manufacturers of hardness testers, the company maintains service outlets across various regions; for details regarding specific branches and the latest pricing, it is recommended to consult official channels directly.
6.International brands:Brands such as INNOVATEST (Netherlands) and Zwick (Germany) are commonly found in the high-end market and comply with international standards such as ISO and ASTM.
7.Buying advice: Before purchasing, clarify the material to be tested, the size of the workpiece, and the required precision. Avoid blindly buying expensive models; the one that best suits your needs is the best choice.Mikrosize has been manufacturing hardness tester with more than 15 years of experience , with more than one thousands sold domestically and outside of China, we have excellent egineers to support and service your hardness testing problem. You are welcome to contact us at any time .
