Scleroscope hardness
Scleroscope hardness measures the elastic hardness of a material by measuring the rebound height of a falling hammer with a diamond tip. A higher rebound height means lower hardness.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
A falling hammer with a diamond tip is dropped from a fixed height onto the specimen. Part of the impact energy is converted into motion and part into deformation of the specimen. The rebound height depends on the elastic properties of the specimen: the harder the material, the higher the hammer rebounds.
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
The scleroscope hardness gives an indication of the elastic hardness of the material. If the hardness is too high, the material can be prone to cracking and fracture, while too low a hardness can lead to plastic deformation. In the welding field, it is important that the hardness in the cooled state is not too high to prevent cracking.
Workshop Practice & Action Instructions
For an accurate scleroscope hardness test, the falling hammer is dropped from a height of 10 cm. The rebound height is measured and compared with a hardness comparison table. A typical material like steel should have a hardness value between 45 and 60 HRC. If values are unusually high or low, check the welding parameters to avoid cracking or plastic deformation.