How to measure the hardness and strength of stainless steel blades?

In the metal processing industry, the hardness and strength of stainless steel blades are key indicators for measuring their performance. Hardness reflects the ability of a material’s surface to resist scratches or pressure from hard objects, while strength represents the material’s ability to resist deformation and fracture. To ensure that the performance of the blade meets specific application requirements, it is necessary to accurately measure its hardness and strength. This article will introduce commonly used measurement methods.

Hardness test

1. Rockwell hardness test:
   Principle: The Rockwell hardness test determines the hardness value by measuring the depth of permanent indentations on the surface of a material under a certain load.
   Operation : Press the indenter of the hardness tester (usually diamond cone or steel ball) into the surface of the material with a certain force, hold for a period of time, and then unload to measure the depth of the generated indentation. Application : Rockwell hardness test is suitable for measuring various metallic and non-metallic materials, especially materials with higher hardness.
2. Vickers hardness test:
   Principle: The Vickers hardness test also determines the hardness value by measuring the area of indentation generated on the surface of the material under a certain load.
   Operation : Press the diamond square conical indenter of the hardness tester into the surface of the material with a certain force, hold it for a period of time, unload, measure the diagonal length of the indentation, and then calculate the hardness value. Application : The Vickers hardness test is suitable for measuring the hardness of thin sheets, thin films, and small parts.
3. Brinell hardness test:
   Principle: The Brinell hardness test determines the hardness value by measuring the diameter of the indentation produced on the surface of the material under a certain load. Operation : Press the spherical indenter (usually a steel ball) of the hardness tester into the surface of the material with a certain force, hold for a period of time, and then unload to measure the diameter of the indentation. Application : Brinell hardness test is suitable for softer metal materials, such as aluminum, copper, etc.
4. Strength testing: 1.Tensile test Principle: The tensile test determines the strength of a material by measuring its stress-strain relationship during the tensile process. Operation : Fix the specimen between the two fixtures of the tensile testing machine, gradually increase the tensile force until the specimen fractures, and record the maximum tensile force and elongation at fracture. Application : Tensile testing is the most direct strength measurement method, which can obtain parameters such as tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of materials. 2.Compression test Principle: Compression testing determines the strength of a material by measuring its stress-strain relationship during the compression process. Operation : Place the specimen between the two indenters of the compression testing machine, gradually increase the pressure until the specimen undergoes plastic deformation or fracture, and record the maximum pressure and corresponding deformation amount. Application : Compression testing is suitable for measuring the performance of materials under compressive loads, such as compressive strength and elastic modulus 3. Shear test: -Principle: Shear testing evaluates the strength of a material by measuring its shear strength under shear force. Operation : Fix the specimen between the upper and lower fixtures of the shear testing machine, apply shear force until the specimen fractures, and record the maximum shear force and fracture position. Application : Shear tests are commonly used to evaluate the shear strength of welded joints, adhesives, and other connection methods In practical applications, the selection of appropriate hardness and strength testing methods depends on the type, thickness, shape, and required accuracy of the material. For stainless steel blades, Rockwell hardness testing is usually used to evaluate their hardness, while tensile testing is the most commonly used strength testing method. Through these tests, it can be ensured that the performance of stainless steel blades meets specific industrial standards and usage requirements.

Strength testing

1.Tensile test Principle: The tensile test determines the strength of a material by measuring its stress-strain relationship during the tensile process. Operation : Fix the specimen between the two fixtures of the tensile testing machine, gradually increase the tensile force until the specimen fractures, and record the maximum tensile force and elongation at fracture. Application : Tensile testing is the most direct strength measurement method, which can obtain parameters such as tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of materials. 2.Compression test Principle: Compression testing determines the strength of a material by measuring its stress-strain relationship during the compression process. Operation : Place the specimen between the two indenters of the compression testing machine, gradually increase the pressure until the specimen undergoes plastic deformation or fracture, and record the maximum pressure and corresponding deformation amount. Application : Compression testing is suitable for measuring the performance of materials under compressive loads, such as compressive strength and elastic modulus 3.Shear test Principle: Shear testing evaluates the strength of a material by measuring its shear strength under shear force. Operation : Fix the specimen between the upper and lower fixtures of the shear testing machine, apply shear force until the specimen fractures, and record the maximum shear force and fracture position. Application : Shear tests are commonly used to evaluate the shear strength of welded joints, adhesives, and other connection methods In practical applications, the selection of appropriate hardness and strength testing methods depends on the type, thickness, shape, and required accuracy of the material. For stainless steel blades, Rockwell hardness testing is usually used to evaluate their hardness, while tensile testing is the most commonly used strength testing method. Through these tests, it can be ensured that the performance of stainless steel blades meets specific industrial standards and usage requirements.