Two major reasons to do hardness testing for metal materials:

a, to verify the heat treatment of a part and to determine if a material has the properties necessary for its intended use;

b, to determine the characteristics of materials whether qualified in industrial and R&D applications.

Features of hardness testing:

· Easy to perform

· Quick - 1 to 30 seconds

· Relatively inexpensive

· Non-destructive

· Finished parts can be tested - but not ruined

· Virtually any size and shape can be tested

· Practical QC device - incoming, outgoing