Hardness Conversion Table for Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, Knoop, Leeb and Tensile Strength
This hardness conversion table lets you easily compare values across the most widely used hardness scales, including Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, Knoop, and Leeb as well as approximate tensile strength in Megapascals.
Rockwell Hardness Conversion Chart (HRC, HRB, Superficial)
The Rockwell hardness test measures a material's resistance to indentation using a steel or tungsten carbide ball or diamond indenter under a specific load. Common scales include Rockwell C (HRC) for harder materials, Rockwell B (HRB) for softer materials and a range of Rockwell Superficial scales which are commonly used for thin/delicate material.
Brinell Hardness Conversion Chart (BHN, HBW)
Brinell testing involves pressing a hard steel or tungsten carbide ball into the surface of a material and measuring the diameter of the indentation. It is commonly used for testing castings and forgings with rough or uneven surfaces, particularly in structural steel and iron. HBW 10/3000 is the most commonly used scale and uses a 10mm ball with a 3000kgf load. Brinell hardness testers are ideal for a range of applications.
Vickers Hardness Conversion Chart (HV)
The Vickers test uses a diamond indenter and a range of forces. It is used in both macro and micro hardness testing, especially when a precise and detailed measurement is required. You can get both manual and automatic Vickers hardness testers.
Knoop Hardness Conversion Chart (HK)
Knoop hardness testing is a hardness method that uses an elongated diamond indenter. It is ideal for testing very small parts, thin materials, or surface coatings. Some Vickers hardness testers will be able to accommodate a Knoop indenter and measure the indents automatically.
Leeb Hardness Conversion Chart (HLD)
Leeb hardness testing is a portable method that measures the rebound velocity of a ball after striking a surface. It is commonly used for in field testing of large or heavy metal parts where traditional bench tests aren’t practical. Many Leeb hardness testers are able to convert their values into common scales like Rockwell, Vickers & Brinell.
Tensile Strength Hardness Conversion Chart (MPa)
Tensile strength refers to the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled. Although it’s a separate property from hardness, empirical conversions from scales like Vickers can provide useful approximations for mechanical design and analysis. For optimal hardness values, you want to use an actual hardness testing machine.