The multiscale bench hardness tester is a laboratory instrument designed to perform Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers hardness tests with one machine. It is suitable when quality control needs to manage different materials, procedures and hardness scales without relying on separate instruments.
The measuring principle is based on the indentation test. An indenter is brought into contact with the sample and subjected to a defined load for a known period. According to the selected method, the instrument performs Rockwell, Brinell or Vickers tests using the indenter and load most suitable for the required scale.
The SAB187,5-B is a motorized bench hardness tester with time-controlled load application. This configuration provides more controlled loading and dwell phases than a fully manual system, improving operational repeatability in laboratory and quality-control applications.
Its main feature is the possibility of working on multiple scales: HRA, HRB, HRC, HB and HV. This makes it possible to move from Rockwell checks on metallic materials to Brinell or Vickers tests when the procedure requires indentation reading through the built-in microscope.
In Rockwell testing, hardness is determined from the depth of penetration of the indenter into the material. The tester operates with Rockwell loads of 60, 100 and 150 kgf, allowing checks on the HRA, HRB and HRC scales.
When testing is limited to the main Rockwell scales, a dedicated Rockwell bench hardness tester may be considered. The multiscale model is the more suitable choice when Brinell and Vickers tests must also be carried out with the same instrument.
In Brinell testing, the instrument uses ball indenters and dedicated loads. After the force has been applied, the indentation is observed and measured through the built-in microscope. When a more practical reading arrangement is required, especially for repeated tests or when indentation measurement is managed separately from the hardness tester, bench or portable Brinell indentation testers can also be considered.
In Vickers testing, the dedicated Vickers indenter is used and the diagonals of the indentation are measured. The built-in microscope allows the mark left on the sample to be read and the HV hardness value to be obtained according to the applied load.
The built-in microscope is an important feature because it allows Brinell and Vickers indentations to be observed and measured directly on the instrument. Dedicated objectives make it possible to inspect the indentation according to the selected method, providing a more practical measurement process than instruments without an integrated reading system.
Correct sample preparation is essential for reliable results. The surface must be smooth, clean, stable and free from oxidation, scratches, dirt or machining marks that could affect the action of the indenter or make indentation reading more difficult.
Sample thickness must also be suitable for the selected test. No visible deformation should appear on the opposite side of the part after measurement. A sample that is too thin, unstable or insufficiently supported may not provide a representative hardness result.
For cylindrical samples or non-flat geometries, the support must be selected to keep the part stable during testing. Perpendicularity between the indenter and the measuring surface remains essential to reduce errors caused by incorrect sample positioning.
The multiscale bench hardness tester is particularly useful in laboratories that need to inspect metallic materials using different methods. It allows Rockwell tests for rapid checks on HR scales, Brinell tests when HB measurement is required, and Vickers tests when the procedure calls for the HV method.
The choice of test method depends on the material, surface treatment, required scale, applicable load and type of indentation to be obtained. For this reason, the multiscale model offers greater flexibility than a hardness tester dedicated to a single test family.
A calibration report is available on request, providing metrological documentation useful for internal control management and periodic verification of the hardness tester.
Applications
- Hardness testing with a multiscale bench hardness tester
- Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers hardness measurement
- Checks on the HRA, HRB and HRC scales
- Brinell HB hardness tests
- Vickers HV hardness tests
- Checks on metallic materials
- Verification of steels and metal alloys
- Checks on heat-treated materials
- Laboratory testing on metallic components
- Quality control on batches and incoming supplies
- Measurements with motorized load application
- Tests with adjustable dwell time
- Indentation reading through the built-in microscope
- Brinell checks with ball indenters
- Vickers checks with the dedicated indenter
- Rockwell checks with 60, 100 and 150 kgf loads
- Brinell tests with 31.2, 62.5 and 187.5 kgf loads
- Vickers tests with loads from 30 to 100 kgf
FAQ – Multiscale bench hardness tester
What is a multiscale bench hardness tester?
It is a bench hardness tester that performs tests on several scales, particularly Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers, using different loads and indenters according to the selected method.
Which hardness scales can it use?
The instrument operates on the HRA, HRB, HRC, HB and HV scales, selecting the test method according to the material and required procedure.
What is the advantage over a hardness tester dedicated to one scale?
The main advantage is flexibility. One instrument can perform Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers tests, avoiding the need for separate machines for different methods.
When should a multiscale bench hardness tester be selected?
It is suitable when the laboratory needs to inspect different materials or when internal procedures require several test methods, for example Rockwell for some checks and Brinell or Vickers for other applications.
When should a Rockwell bench hardness tester be selected instead?
When testing concerns only the main Rockwell scales, a dedicated Rockwell bench hardness tester may be more suitable. The multiscale model is preferable when Brinell and Vickers tests are also required.
How does the Rockwell test work on the multiscale hardness tester?
The Rockwell test measures the depth of indenter penetration into the material by applying a preliminary load and a main load according to the selected scale.
How does the Brinell test work on the instrument?
The Brinell test uses a ball indenter and a defined load. After the test, the indentation is measured through the built-in microscope to obtain the HB value.
How can the Brinell indentation be read more conveniently?
In Brinell testing, the indentation can be read using the built-in microscope. When a dedicated solution for indentation measurement is preferred, bench or portable Brinell indentation testers can also be used.
How does the Vickers test work on the instrument?
The Vickers test uses a dedicated indenter and requires measurement of the indentation diagonals. The HV value is calculated according to the applied load and indentation size.
What is the built-in microscope used for?
The built-in microscope allows Brinell and Vickers indentations to be observed and measured directly on the instrument.
Is the load applied manually or automatically?
The instrument features motorized load application with adjustable dwell time. This provides more controlled force application during the test.
Which Rockwell loads are available?
Rockwell loads of 60, 100 and 150 kgf are available and are selected according to the scale and material being tested.
Which Brinell loads are available?
Brinell loads of 31.2, 62.5 and 187.5 kgf are available and are selected according to the indenter and material.
Which Vickers loads are available?
For Vickers tests, the instrument operates with loads from 30 to 100 kgf.
Does the sample surface need to be prepared?
Yes. The surface must be smooth, clean, of 31.2, 62.5 and 187.5 kgf are available and are selected according to the indenter and material.
Which Vickers loads are available?
For stable and free from oxidation, scratches or machining marks that could affect the test or indentation reading.
Is sample thickness important?
Yes. The sample must have sufficient thickness for the selected test and must not deform on the opposite side after the load is applied.
Can cylindrical samples be tested?
Yes, when the sample can be supported correctly with the most suitable anvil and the indenter operates perpendicularly to the measuring surface.
What is included as standard?
The standard supply includes Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers indenters, support anvils, a V-shaped anvil and HRC, HRB, HV and HB reference test blocks.
Is a calibration report available?
Yes, a calibration report is available on request.
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