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2.1 Significance of the Test
The Rockwell hardness test is an empirical indentation hardness test. Its
worldwide adoption has likely resulted from the many advantages provided by
the test method. The test is fast, inexpensive, and relatively non-destructive,
leaving only a small indentation in the material. The simplicity in the operation
of a Rockwell hardness machine has provided the added advantage that
Rockwell hardness testing usually does not require a highly skilled operator.
By way of correlation with other material properties, the Rockwell hardness
test can provide important information about metallic materials, such as the
tensile strength, wear resistance, and ductility. The test is generally useful for
material selection, for process and quality control, and for acceptance testing
of commercial products. Consequently, in today’s manufacturing facilities,
Rockwell hardness machines can be found in use in almost every testing
environment, from the hot, oily surroundings of some manufacturing facilities,
to environmentally controlled metallographic and calibration laboratories.
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