An Introduction to Microindentation Methods Hardness Perhaps Our Oldest Test At a time when companies are seeking to quantify and document virtually every process, a renewed interest has appeared in some of the old standbys such as hardness testing. Hardness testing is a proven quality control and inspection tool; it can be used to quickly determine if an incoming product meets specification or if a heat treatment was properly done. Hardness, as a mechanical property, is best defined as resistance to penetration or permanent deformation. The application of the hardness value, however, is specific to different professions: to a mechanical engineer it relates to the wear resistance; to a design engineer it relates to the flow stress, to a mineralogist it relates to the scratch resistance, and to a machinist it relates to the cutting rate. 全自動顯微硬度測試系統(tǒng)