Metal Hardness Tester

The hardness tester products you will find at PCE Instruments (PCE) are used for determining surface hardness. Each hardness tester uses a standard method of measurement. The measuring principles of most hardness tester devices are based on either the penetration of a diamond indentor into the material being tested or a calculation related to the force of the rebound after striking the tested material. However, material hardness can also be measured accurately through ultrasonic testing. Each hardness testing method has its benefits and will allow for the precise measurement of material hardness in accordance with the technical specifications of the hardness testing instrument.

For example, Brinell and Rockwell hardness measurement methods use a heavy force and create a big indentation in the surface of the material being tested. The Vickers hardness testing method incorporates optical measurement, but cannot be used on installed machinery and permanently assembled parts. Leeb hardness testing devices apply rebound and indirect methods to measure hardness, but cause significant deviations when converting from Leeb to Brinell, Rockwell and Vickers hardness scales. Ultrasonic hardness testers use the high-accuracy ultrasonic contact impedance (UCI) method to measure hardness, leaving a microscopic indentation in the surface of the material being tested. However, due to the degree of accuracy and the essentially nondestructive nature of measurement afforded by an ultrasonic hardness tester, the price of the device usually is higher.

A hardness tester is especially practical in areas of manufacturing production, quality control and technical service due to its portability and ergonomic design. In PCE's extensive range of test and measurement equipment, there are a variety of high-quality hardness tester products for determining the hardness of nearly every material — from metal, plastic and rubber to concrete, leather and beyond. Depending on the type, a hardness tester typically measures hardness in Shore (HS), Rockwell (HRA / HRB / HRC / HRD / HRE / HRF / HRG / HRH / HRK / HRN / HRT), Brinell (HB), Vickers (HV), Leeb (HL), Barcol (HBA), Webster (HW) or MPa (N/mm²) SI hardness units. An analog or mechanical hardness tester can be equipped with a 360° dial, while a digital hardness tester usually has an LCD screen. Some digital hardness testers offer datalogging capabilities with key features like an internal memory and a USB port for data transfer to a computer .

Another advantage of a digital hardness tester is an internal rechargeable battery, like the battery found in the hardness tester model PCE-1000. The PCE-1000 hardness tester with integrated refraction impact offers the added benefit of taking measurements without the use of cables that can interfere during a measurement.

How does a hardness tester work?

Application Notes / Brochures

Hardness Tester Case Study European School

Hardness Tester Report Case Study.

If you have any questions, please contact us at or +1 (561) 320-9162.

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2600N

US$ 1,906.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

The Material Hardness Tester for Metal PCE-2600N is used wherever a fast hardness test has to be carried out. It is possible to use the material tester PCE-2600N to determine the surface hardness of many metals. The material tester PCE-2600N is especially suitable for quality or product inspection.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Measurement units: HLD, HRA, HRB, HRC, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%, Repeatability: ± 0.8%
Impactor: DL
Display: 128 x 64 OLED

Metal Hardness Tester with ISO Certificate PCE-2600N-ICA

US$ 2,243.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

The Material Hardness Tester for Metal PCE-2600N-ICA is used wherever a fast hardness test has to be carried out. It is possible to use the material tester PCE-2600N-ICA to determine the surface hardness of many metals. The material tester PCE-2600N-ICA is especially suitable for quality or product inspection.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Measurement units: HLD, HRA, HRB, HRC, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%, Repeatability: ± 0.8%
Impactor: DL
Display: 128 x 64 OLED
Includes ISO calibration certificate

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2900

US$ 2,327.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

The hardness tester PCE-2900 has been developed for hardness measurements on metallic materials. The hardness tester PCE-2900 measures the material hardness in Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell, Leeb and Shore. The hardness tester PCE-2900 measures the hardness according to the Leeb rebound principle.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Measurement units: HLD, HRA, HRB, HRC, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%, Repeatability: ± 0.6%
Impactor: Type D
USB and WiFi for data transmission

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2900-ICA incl. ISO Calibration Certificate

US$ 2,640.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Measurement units: HLD, HRA, HRB, HRC, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%, Repeatability: ± 0.6%
Impactor: Type D
USB and WiFi for data transmission
Incl. ISO Calibration Certificate

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2500N

US$ 867.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

PCE-2500N is a portable handheld pen-sized digital material hardness tester, rebound hammer or durometer for use with metals. This high-accuracy hardness tester quickly and accurately measures the surface hardness of 10 common metal materials including steel, cast steel, alloy tool steel, stainless steel, cast iron, ductile iron, cast aluminum alloy, brass, bronze and copper.

Measuring principle: Leeb Rebound method
Displays measurements in Rockwell A, B or C (HRA, HRB or HRC), Brinell (HB), Vickers (HV), Shore (HS) or Leeb (HLD)
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%; Repeatability: ± 0.8%
Type D impact device

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-900

US$ 1,037.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

The Leeb Material Hardness Tester PCE-900 measures the hardness of nine different metals using the Leeb rebound method. This means that with the material hardness tester a firing pin bounces on a metallic surface and the intensity of the rebound is used as an indicator of the material hardness. The Material Hardness Tester PCE-900 measures the metal hardness in 6 different hardness scales.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Testing of HRC, HRB, HV, HB, HSD
Measurement Range: 200-900 HLD / 13-99 HRB / 20-68 HRC / 20-655 HB / 80-940 HV / 32-99 HSD
Accuracy: 0.80% / Repeatability: 1.10%
Incl. type D Leeb probe
Optional Software Available

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2550

US$ 1,168.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

Due to its compact design, the PCE-2550 metal hardness tester is very easy to use for incoming and outgoing inspections. Due to the adjustable hardness scales, the metal hardness tester PCE-2550 is versatile.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Measurement units: HLD, HRA, HRB, HRC, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.4%, Repeatability: ± 0.6%
Impact Device: Type D
Measuring Direction: 360°
Internal measured value memory

Metal Hardness Tester PCE-2000N

US$ 1,177.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

The PCE Instruments PCE-2000N metal hardness tester uses the Leeb rebound method. This is a dynamic hardness test method in which a standardized test specimen, usually a hard metal ball, is hit with defined impact energy on a test surface.

Measurement according to Leeb Rebound method
Hardness scales: HL (Leeb), HV (Vickers), HB (Brinell), HS (Shore), HRA (Rockwell A), HRB (Rockwell B), HRC (Rockwell C)
Measurement Range: 170-960 HLD, 80-1042 HV, 19-683 HB, 30.6-102.6 HS, 59.1-88 HRA, 13.5-101.7 HRB
External impact device on 1.5 m / 4.9 ft cable
Accuracy: ± 0.5% (@ 800 HLD), Repeatability: 0.8% (@ 800 HLD)
Storage data measurements on a USB stick
Color display, Measurement in different angles possible, Various other impactors as accessories

Metal Hardness Tester with ISO Certificate PCE-2500N-ICA

US$ 1,188.00

ex. VAT, ex. delivery costs

PCE-2500N-ICA is a portable handheld pen-sized digital material hardness tester, rebound hammer or durometer for use with metals. This high-accuracy hardness tester quickly and accurately measures the surface hardness of 10 common metal materials including steel, cast steel, alloy tool steel, stainless steel, cast iron, ductile iron, cast aluminum alloy, brass, bronze and copper.

Measuring principle: Leeb Rebound method
Displays measurements in Rockwell A, B or C (HRA, HRB or HRC), Brinell (HB), Vickers (HV), Shore (HS) or Leeb (HLD)
Measurement ranges: 170-960 HLD, 59.1-88 HRA, 3.5-101.7 HRB, 17.9-69.5 HRC, 19-683 HB, 80-1042 HV, 30.6-102.6 HS
Accuracy: ± 0.5%; Repeatability: ± 0.8%
Type D impact device
Includes ISO calibration certificate