Hardness testing is a simple mechanical test developed to provide a quantitative measurement in a quick and efficient manner. Hardness testing is used in place of other techniques such as tensile testing as it can be correlated with tensile strength but requires significantly less time and effort, as well as being comparatively nondestructive.
When Wilson first developed the Rockwell test in the early 20th century, the speed of testing drove rapid adoption of the technique, supporting the growth of production line manufacturing as well as high volume output of components needed for the war effort at the time. Various types of hardness test technique have been developed over the years, the most common examples being Rockwell, Vickers, Knoop and Brinell testing. Each has its unique advantages and limitations, but each has earned their place in today’s quality control environment due to the speed, accuracy, and reproducibility of the tests.