Digital Rockwell/Superficial Rockwell Benchtop Hardness Testers

October 08, 2019
Digital Rockwell/Superficial Rockwell Benchtop Hardness Testers

The L.S. Starrett Co. has introduced two new digital Rockwell/superficial Rockwell benchtop hardness testers (Nos. 3823 and 3824) with fully automated load/unload procedures and capable of providing highly accurate readings. The new Starrett models utilize a closed-loop control unit with a load cell, a DC motor and an electronic measurement and control unit instead of traditional dead weights, enabling high accuracy measurements at all test loads up to 0.5%. The testers are part of a significantly expanded line of new hardness testing solutions that Starrett is now offering.

The Starrett No. 3824 hardness tester has an automated Z-axis. The user simply presses the start key, and the entire test process is automatically completed. The Starrett testers feature programmable scale conversions, dwell times, statistical capabilities and a test counter and are capable of testing in a wide range of 30 different Rockwell hardness scales for carbon steel, alloy steel, cast iron and nonferrous metals.

Suitable for both internal and external testing via a dolphin nose design, the Starrett No. 3823 and 3824 digital testers are high precision testing solutions that meet ISO 6508-2 and ASTM E18 standards. They feature a built-in microprinter, touch screen control on a high definition LCD display, USB output, and are furnished with PC-based software. For memory, a maximum of 400 items of test results are stored automatically. Testing capacity is 12" (300 mm) vertical and 8.8" (220 mm) horizontal. A full range of accessories from test blocks to anvils, to dust cover are also included.

Featuring a manual Z-axis instead of an automated Z, the No. 3823 digital superficial Rockwell hardness tester is a good value alternative to the No. 3824 tester. Both the Starrett No. 3823 and No. 3824 feature auto load test force control.

Related Glossary Terms

  • hardness

    hardness

    Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a material to surface indentation or abrasion. There is no absolute scale for hardness. In order to express hardness quantitatively, each type of test has its own scale, which defines hardness. Indentation hardness obtained through static methods is measured by Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers and Knoop tests. Hardness without indentation is measured by a dynamic method, known as the Scleroscope test.