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The Rockwell hardness tester is a device used to measure the hardness of materials, primarily metals and alloys. It works by pressing a standardized indenter, either a steel ball or a diamond cone (called a brale), into the material's surface under a specific load.12

Instead of measuring the size of the indentation, the Rockwell tester determines hardness by measuring the depth of penetration relative to an initial minor load. This depth is then automatically translated into a hardness number indicated on a dial. This method is particularly useful for hardened steel and is widely employed in metalworking. The tester is named after Stanley P. Rockwell, an American metallurgist.12

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