Conversion tools translate hardness values obtained using different indentation tests. These instruments facilitate the correlation between Brinell hardness, determined by pressing a hardened steel or carbide ball into a material, and Rockwell hardness, which employs various indenters and load combinations to measure indentation depth. For example, a material tested with a Brinell hardness number of 200 might equate to a specific Rockwell B hardness reading, depending on the material type.
The ability to interrelate hardness scales is crucial in materials science and engineering. It allows professionals to compare data acquired using different testing methodologies, leverage existing material property databases that may contain only one type of hardness measurement, and select appropriate materials for specific applications, even when test data is limited. Historically, developing these correlations has been driven by the need to standardize material characterization across different industries and research laboratories.
