Hardness Testing (HT) is used to evaluate a material's resistance to permanent indentation or deformation. Hardness measurements can provide valuable information about material condition, heat treatment, weld properties, and the effects of fabrication or service.
Rivest Technologies provides portable hardness testing using the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) method, allowing hardness measurements to be performed directly on suitable components in both shop and field applications.
The portable UCI method is particularly useful where components are too large, installed, or otherwise impractical to test using conventional stationary hardness-testing equipment.
Common Applications
Rivest Technologies provides portable Hardness Testing for applications including:
Welds and welded components
Heat-affected zones (HAZ)
Pressure piping and pressure equipment
Fabricated components
Forgings
Castings
Heat-treated materials
Installed equipment and components
Material verification and quality control
Investigation of localized material hardness
Shop and field inspection
Why Hardness Testing Is Important
Material hardness can be affected by chemical composition, heat treatment, welding, cold working, and other manufacturing or service conditions.
Hardness measurements can be used to verify that a material or component falls within specified hardness requirements or to identify localized variations that may require further evaluation.
In welded components, hardness testing can be particularly useful for evaluating the weld metal, heat-affected zone, and adjacent base material where hardness limitations are specified.
Portable testing allows these measurements to be performed directly on components without removing samples for laboratory examination.
How UCI Hardness Testing Works
The Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) method uses a probe containing a Vickers diamond indenter mounted on the end of a vibrating rod.
During testing, the probe is pressed against the prepared examination surface using a controlled test force. The Vickers diamond penetrates the material, producing a change in the resonant frequency of the vibrating rod.
The instrument evaluates this frequency change to determine the hardness of the material.
Because the indentation produced by the UCI method is very small, testing can be performed with minimal effect on the component while still providing immediate hardness results.
Proper surface preparation, probe positioning, material characteristics, component geometry, and test technique are important to obtaining reliable measurements.
Hardness Scales and Reporting
Rivest Technologies' UCI equipment allows hardness results to be evaluated and reported using commonly recognized hardness scales as applicable to the material and inspection requirements.
These include:
Vickers (HV) — The primary hardness scale associated with the UCI measurement method.
Rockwell (HR) — Hardness results may be converted to applicable Rockwell scales where appropriate.
Brinell (HB/HBW) — Hardness results may be converted to Brinell values where appropriate.
Hardness conversions are used only where appropriate for the material and applicable requirements. Converted hardness values should not automatically be considered identical to measurements obtained by directly performing a different hardness test method.
Advantages of Portable UCI Hardness Testing
Portable UCI Hardness Testing offers several advantages for industrial inspection:
Non-destructive or minimally invasive examination
Immediate on-site results
Portable equipment suitable for field inspection
Testing of installed components
Small test indentation
Suitable for localized hardness measurements
Useful for weld metal and heat-affected zones
Measurement in areas where conventional bench testing is impractical
Multiple hardness scales available for reporting and evaluation
Rapid examination of multiple test locations
Electronic documentation of results
The small indentation and portability of UCI equipment make the method particularly useful for evaluating localized areas on finished or installed components.
Rivest Technologies Hardness Testing Services
Rivest Technologies Inc. provides portable UCI Hardness Testing using BAQ alphaDUR equipment for industrial, fabrication, construction, maintenance, and quality-control applications.
Our Hardness Testing capabilities include:
Weld Hardness Testing — Localized hardness measurement of suitable weld metal where required by the applicable specification or inspection program.
Heat-Affected Zone Testing — Hardness measurement within suitable heat-affected zones and adjacent material.
Base Material Testing — Portable hardness measurement of suitable parent materials and components.
Forging and Casting Testing — Hardness measurement of suitable forged and cast components.
Pressure Equipment and Piping — Portable hardness testing of suitable installed or fabricated pressure equipment, piping, and associated components.
Heat Treatment Verification — Hardness measurement to assist in evaluating material condition following applicable heat-treatment processes.
Shop and Field Testing — Portable equipment allows hardness measurements to be performed directly on suitable components where access and surface conditions permit.
Inspection Reporting — Documentation of hardness measurements, test locations, hardness scales, and results in accordance with applicable inspection requirements.
Rivest Technologies provides both shop and field Hardness Testing with an emphasis on accurate measurement, clear documentation, and responsive service.
Equipment
Rivest Technologies performs portable UCI Hardness Testing using the BAQ alphaDUR hardness testing system.
The alphaDUR uses the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance method to provide rapid hardness measurements directly on suitable components. Its portability and small test indentation make it well suited to industrial field inspection and localized hardness measurement.
Equipment verification, calibration, surface preparation, test force, measurement technique, and examination requirements are established according to the applicable procedure, material, component, and inspection requirements.
Codes, Standards and Inspection Requirements
Portable hardness-testing requirements vary according to the material, component, industry, construction code, project specification, and client requirements.
Depending on the application, examinations may be performed in accordance with applicable ASTM, ASME, industry, project, or client requirements and procedures.
ASTM A1038/A1038M addresses portable hardness testing using the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance method.
Where hardness values are converted between different hardness scales, applicable standardized conversion practices and material limitations should be considered.
Test locations, surface preparation, number of readings, test force, hardness scale, conversion requirements, and acceptance criteria are determined by the specification or procedure applicable to the particular examination.
Need Hardness Testing Services?
For information about portable Hardness Testing, inspection requirements, scheduling, or pricing, contact Rivest Technologies Inc.
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