1. What is Rockwell Hardness?

The Rockwell hardness test measures the hardness of materials by determining the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load compared to the penetration made by a preload.

2. How Does the Conversion Work?

The calculator uses established conversion tables to translate hardness values between different Rockwell scales.

Where:

• HRA - Tungsten carbide, thin steel
• HRB - Copper alloys, soft steels
• HRC - Hardened steels
• HRD - Thin steel, medium case hardened steel
• HRE - Cast iron, aluminum, magnesium alloys
• HRF - Annealed copper alloys, thin soft sheet metals

Explanation: Each scale uses different indenters and test forces, making direct comparisons complex.

3. Importance of Hardness Conversion

Details: Converting between scales is important when comparing materials tested with different methods or when specifications reference different scales.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hardness value, select the original scale and the target scale. The calculator will provide the converted value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are there different Rockwell scales?
A: Different scales are needed to accurately measure materials with different hardness ranges and properties.

Q2: Are conversions between all scales possible?
A: Not all conversions are meaningful as scales measure different hardness ranges. Some conversions are approximate.

Q3: How accurate are these conversions?
A: Conversions are approximate as the relationship between scales isn't perfectly linear. For critical applications, test with the required scale.

Q4: What's the most common Rockwell scale?
A: HRC is most common for hardened steels, while HRB is common for softer materials.

Q5: Can I convert Rockwell to other hardness scales?
A: Yes, but this calculator focuses on Rockwell-to-Rockwell conversions. Other calculators can convert to Vickers or Brinell scales.