Portable Hardness Measurement

Hardness is the property of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation. However, the term hardness may also refer to resistance to bending, scratching, abrasion or cutting which indicate the material strength.


There are two type of portable hardness method that are commonly used at site namely (i) UCI Method, and (ii) Rebound Method

Using portable hardness tester, component’s hardness can be measured at site non-destructively to estimate the component strength based on a relation between hardness and ultimate tensile strength.

Hardness test can also be done at site to confirm component specification and to verify the selection of material for repair and replace work purposes.

All hardness testing methods require smooth surfaces free of oxide scale, paint, lubricants, oil, plastic coating due to corrosion protection or metal coating for better conductivity.



Surface preparation for hardness test at site shall be done according to relevant standards or test specification requirement.




Hardness measurement at site are based on international code and standard as follow:
a. ASTM E92: Standard Test Method for Vickers Hardness of Metallic Materials
b. ASTM A956: Standard Test Method for Leeb Hardness Testing of Steel Products
c. ASTM A1038: Standard Test Practice for Portable Hardness Testing by the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance Method