Heat Treating - 7: Testing Hardness
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WARNING: Machine tools present a safety hazard. Improper operation can result in severe injury. These topics are for non-laboratory study only and are not to be used in conjunction with the operation of any tool or machine described herein. Never use a machine tool without the supervision of a qualified instructor.
The machinist must be able to obtain a quantitative value for material hardness before machining and/or heat treating. Since hardness is the ability to resist deformation a machine that measures the slightest deformation made by a penetrator while under an applied pressure can serve as a gauge. These deformation marks are measured and then compared to a standard to determine a hardness reading.
The Brinell standard is one of the most common hardness scales. It is used primarily for soft materials such as aluminum.
Engineering and Manufacturing books

The Rockwell scale (aka :Vickers") is used primarily for harder metal*s such as post heat treated tool steels.

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