Testing heavy structural components directly on the shop floor beats slicing up expensive metal parts for laboratory analysis every single time. Our portable hardness testing lineup utilizes five distinct operating methodologies: Leeb Dynamic Rebound, Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI), Portable Rockwell & Static Load-Cell Indentation, Portable Brinell, and Impressor/Pliers Surface Gauging.
Leeb Dynamic Rebound Method (ASTM A956, ISO 16859, DIN 50156)
The Leeb method operates like a high-precision kinetic collision test. A spring propels an impact body with a tungsten carbide point directly at your metal component. The tip strikes the surface, creates a microscopic impression, and bounces back. An internal magnet passing through a wire coil generates a voltage signal proportional to the rebound velocity.
The instrument compares impact speed (Vi) against rebound speed (Vr) to calculate a Leeb Hardness value (HL):
HL = (Vr / Vi) × 1000
Because rebound velocity depends on how springy versus how malleable your metal behaves under impact, this technique is sensitive to material elasticity.
- Ideal Applications: Massive forged shafts, thick turbine rotors, large cast iron housings, and heavy structural steel beams (requires >5 kg weight and >10 mm wall thickness to prevent flexing).
- Qualitest Product Lineup & Specifications:
- QualiTip™ Plus: High-precision rebound tester featuring integrated USB/RS232 data export, 3,000-reading data memory, and an accuracy margin within ±0.3% at HL=800.
- QualiTip™ Lite: Ultra-light pocket-sized unit weighing just 110 grams, using an integrated D/DL impact device (11 Nmm impact energy) with direct conversions across HRC, HRB, HRA, HB, HV, HS, and HLD.
- QualiTip™ II-Plus: Rebound digital unit weighing 260 grams, providing ±0.5% accuracy and supporting interchangeable optional impact probes (DC, D+15, C, G, DL).
- QualiTip™ III: Rebound unit equipped with a built-in thermal printer and full data software.
- QualiTip™ Mini: Single-scale HRC model with ±0.8% accuracy for quick field checks.
- Hartip 3000 Plus: Versatile Leeb unit supporting seven distinct impact probe types (D, DC, D+15, G, C, E, DL) with a repeatability of ±2 HL, direct tensile strength calculation (MPa), and Bluetooth data transfer.
Ultrasonic Contact Impedance / UCI Method (ASTM A1038, DIN 50159, ISO 21968)
Zero heavy surface impact required, as your test piece stays pristine. A UCI probe uses a pyramid-shaped Vickers diamond mounted on a metal rod vibrating ultrasonically at roughly seventy thousand cycles per second.
Applying smooth hand force pushes the diamond point into the surface. The indentation shifts the rod's resonant vibration frequency (Δf) in proportion to the contact area and material elasticity, calculating hardness directly in Vickers (HV).
- Ideal Applications: Sensitive finishes where noticeable indentation marks are unacceptable, including heat-treated gear teeth, thin chrome plating, ground bearing races, and weld heat-affected zones (HAZ).
- Qualitest Product Lineup: Our Ultrasonic Portable Hardness Tester UCI Series integrates ultrasonic frequency measurements with dynamic Leeb capabilities, providing precision with minimal surface marking. Requires material-matched reference blocks when switching alloy families.
Portable Rockwell & Load-Cell Indentation (ASTM E18, ASTM E110, ASTM E3246, DIN 50157)
This technique mirrors classic benchtop machines by using two-stage static loading (a light preliminary load followed by a main load) to measure residual indentation depth directly.
- Direct Readout: Delivers instant numbers straight on standard Rockwell scales (HRC, HRB) with zero empirical conversion math and zero dependence on component weight or material elasticity.
- Qualitest Product Lineup & Specifications:
- Computest-Lite: Lightweight 5 kgf total load system (1.2 kgf preload) weighing 750 g (360 g electronic console), featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, and SD card connectivity (ASTM E18, DIN 50157).
- METALTEST Wireless: Compact load-cell based tester (1 kgf preload, 5.6 kgf test force) capable of testing sheet metals down to 0.06 mm thickness at 2 kgf load (ASTM E3246, DIN 50157).
- METALTEST MKII: Digital console operating across extreme temperature ranges (-40°C to +55°C) supporting Rockwell, Brinell (HB5/HB30), Vickers, and Knoop.
- Wireless E-Series: Includes Wireless E-Handy and Wireless E-Computest (5 kgf total load), plus the heavy-duty Wireless E-Dynatest delivering a 100 kgf (980 N) test load for HRC (10–70) and HB30 measurement.
- QHR-Series: Dial gauge portable Rockwell testers for immediate, budget-friendly shop floor checks.
Portable Brinell Method (ASTM E10, ASTM E110, ISO 6506)
For raw castings, heavy forgings, and unpolished surfaces, physical ball indentation under high mechanical loads remains the benchmark.
- Ideal Applications: Large structural steel frames, raw foundry castings, unpolished forgings, and heavy ferrous parts.
- Qualitest Product Lineup & Specifications:
- King Portable Brinell Tester: Hydraulic system applying up to 3,000 kgf manual load with a 13.5-inch vertical capacity and 38 lb frame (ASTM E10, ASTM E110, ISO 17025).
- QualiMag™ Magnetic Series: Features QualiMag Auto-B (automatic magnetic mounting applying 500–3000 kgf force using 2.5 mm, 5 mm, or 10 mm ball indenters) and QualiMag B750 (magnetic hydraulic unit applying 750 kgf test force).
- QHB-3000E: Motorized hydraulic Brinell system applying 183.9–3000 kgf force with adjustable dwell times (0–60 seconds).
- Telebrineller System: Metallurgical impact-bar comparison system for rapid field checks against reference bars.
Mechanical Impressor & Pliers Surface Gauging (ASTM B647, ASTM D2583)
For soft metals, aluminum extrusions, and composite materials, spring-loaded mechanical indentation delivers immediate pass/fail surface verification directly in the field.
- Ideal Applications: Aluminum sheets, copper, brass, structural extrusions, plastics, and fiberglass panels.
- Qualitest Product Lineup:
- Webster Hardness Tester: Fast handheld pliers-type gauge providing instant dial readings on aluminum alloys, brass, and copper (ASTM B647).
- Digital Barcol Hardness Tester (QualiHBA™): Handheld impressor gauge for soft metals, rigid plastics, and fiberglass-reinforced polymers (ASTM D2583).
Method Comparison Matrix
| Technical Feature | Leeb Dynamic Rebound (QualiTip™, Hartip) | Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI Series) | Portable Rockwell (Computest, METALTEST, QHR) | Portable Brinell (King, QualiMag, QHB) | Mechanical Impressor (Webster, QualiHBA™) |
|---|
| Operating Physics | Kinetic velocity bounce ratio (Vr/Vi) | Ultrasonic frequency shift (Δf) under steady force | Depth remaining after two-stage static force | High-tonnage physical ball impression | Spring-loaded pin or plier indentation depth |
| Load Mechanics | Spring impact (11 Nmm energy) | Gentle static load (100 g to 10 kg) | Light static load (1.2 kgf preload to 100 kgf) | Hydraulic / magnetic force (500 kgf to 3000 kgf) | Spring-driven hand squeeze or press load |
| Mass & Thickness Limits | High limits (>5 kg weight, >10 mm wall) | Minimal limits (ideal for thin walls & sheet metal) | Works down to 0.06 mm sheet thickness | Designed for heavy parts, forgings, and steel frames | Thin extrusions, sheets, and soft panels |
| Surface Finish Needs | Smooth turned surface (Ra ≈ 1.6–2 μm) | Very smooth or ground surface (Ra ≈ 0.2–0.4 μm) | Machine-turned or ground finish | Rough, unpolished, or cast surfaces | Smooth extrusions or sheet metal finishes |
| Primary Output | Raw HL, converted to HRC, HB, HV | Direct Vickers (HV), converted to HRC, HB | Direct Rockwell (HRC, HRB, HRA) | Direct Brinell (HB30, HB15) | Webster units (HW) or Barcol units (HBA) |
| Industry Standards | ASTM A956, ISO 16859, DIN 50156 | ASTM A1038, DIN 50159, ISO 21968 | ASTM E18, ASTM E110, ASTM E3246, DIN 50157 | ASTM E10, ASTM E110, ISO 6506, ISO 17025 | ASTM B647, ASTM D2583 |
Accuracy, Material Calibration, and Conversions
Getting reliable measurements out in the field requires managing a few key factors:
- Conversion Curves: Because dynamic rebound values and ultrasonic frequency shifts depend on alloy elasticity, converting raw readings into standard Brinell or Rockwell scales relies on empirical conversion tables. If your specific alloy flexes or work-hardens differently, standard conversion charts can drift off target.
- Matching Reference Blocks: To keep readings completely trustworthy when inspecting non-standard steel grades, copper, or aluminum, zero out your tester against certified reference test blocks made from the exact same alloy family.
- Upgraded Microprocessors: Older rebound units used to swing around by one to five percent, but modern circuit boards packed with high-speed STM32 processors squeeze system errors down below half a percent.
