Hardness

Resistance of a surface to indentation, measured as Rockwell (HRC/HRB), Brinell (HB) or Vickers (HV). Hardness correlates closely with tensile strength in steels, so it is the fastest acceptance check after heat treatment; conversions between scales follow ASTM E140 / SAE J417.

More terms

Annealing · Austenite · Bainite · Carbon equivalent (CEV) · Carburizing · Case hardening · Charpy impact test · Cold drawn · Decarburization · Elongation (A) · ESR (electroslag remelting) · Ferrite