Metal Hardness Testing Services
Your metal needs to perform under load. Hardness testing tells you whether it will. Verichek is ISO accredited for hardness testing — delivering accurate, documented results for quality control, material verification, and compliance across aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and construction.
Verichek is ISO accredited for Hardness Testing. Contact us for a copy of our certification.
We Test To
Our hardness testing services deliver the documented results you need — whether you’re verifying incoming material, clearing heat-treated parts, or meeting a customer specification.
Verify Material to Specification
Confirm that incoming or processed metal meets the tensile, yield, and hardness requirements your quality system demands — with documented, ISO accredited results.
Support Quality Control & Compliance
Meet customer, industry, and regulatory requirements with certified hardness data and traceable documentation that holds up in audits.
Clear Heat-Treated Parts
Verify that heat treatment achieved the required hardness profile before parts move to the next stage of production or ship to your customer.
Our Hardness Testing Services
We primarily use Rockwell hardness testing, which covers a wide range of metals without changing the indenter. Results can be converted to Brinell, Knoop, Leeb, or Vickers scales as your specification requires.
Rockwell Hardness Testing
The most widely used method for its speed and simplicity. Measures indentation depth under load — ideal for harder materials like steel, and common in automotive and aerospace applications.
Brinell Hardness Testing
A larger ball indenter that averages hardness over a wider area — best for softer materials like castings and forgings with rough surfaces or chemical variation.
Vickers & Leeb Testing
Vickers uses a diamond-shaped indenter for thin, precise, or delicate parts. Leeb (rebound method via Proceq Equotip 550) is suited for large or installed components where determining tensile and yield strength is the goal.
In-House & On-Site Testing Options
The right option depends on the number of pieces, their size and weight, and whether they can be shipped. We tailor testing to your project.
On-Site Hardness Testing
For customers with more than 100 pieces, oversized or heavy parts that are cost-prohibitive to ship, or installed components that cannot be removed. A Verichek technician is dispatched with the necessary equipment to perform testing at your facility across the United States and Canada.
In-House Hardness Testing
For customers with smaller sample volumes — from a single piece up to 100+ depending on size and weight. Our lab provides a controlled environment, fast turnaround, and access to a full library of control and verification standards.
Equipment We Use
Our primary instrument for hardness testing is the E-Dynatest Portable Rockwell Hardness Tester — a versatile device that inspects almost any metal part, polished object, or heat-treated surface with minimal surface preparation and no significant downtime.
E-Dynatest Portable Rockwell Hardness Tester
Our primary instrument. Tests a wide range of metals without changing the indenter — ideal for large components like gear teeth and axles. Portable for on-site use with results that can be converted to Brinell, Knoop, Leeb, or Vickers scales.
Proceq Equotip 550
Used for Leeb rebound testing to determine tensile and/or yield strength — particularly suited for large, heavy, or installed parts that cannot be brought to a lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is metal hardness testing?
Metal hardness testing measures a material’s resistance to indentation or deformation — used to confirm tensile and yield strength and verify that metal will perform adequately under the stress and load conditions it will face in service.
Which hardness testing method should I use?
It depends on your material and specification. Rockwell is the most common starting point and covers a wide range of metals. Brinell is better for softer or rough-surface materials. Vickers suits thin or precision parts. Leeb is the portable option for large or installed components. Contact us with your material and application and we’ll recommend the right method.
When should I choose in-house vs. on-site testing?
In-house testing works well for smaller batches that can be shipped — from 1 piece to 100+ depending on size and weight. On-site testing is better when you have large quantities (100+ pieces), oversized components, or parts that are installed and cannot be removed.
Are you ISO accredited for hardness testing?
Yes. Verichek is ISO accredited for hardness testing. Contact us for a copy of our certification.
Our Metal Testing Services
PMI Testing
Confirm your metal is exactly what it’s supposed to be — before it goes into service. ISO 17025 accredited OES, XRF, and LIBS testing, in-house or on-site.
Retained Austenite Measurement
ISO accredited XRD measurement for heat-treated steel parts. ASTM E975-14g compliant results within 24 hours.
Coating Thickness Testing
Non-destructive ISO 17025 accredited XRF measurement — fast, accurate, and available in-house or on-site.
Not Sure Which Spectrometer Is Right for You?
Our technical sales team has decades of experience matching OES instruments to specific applications. Let us help you find the perfect spectrometer for your needs.
ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Precision
Our ANAB accreditation is your guarantee of technical competence. Backed by 30+ years of business excellence and 150+ years of combined expertise.
