Accuracy issues with hardness testing on thin-walled metal pipes
Hi everyone! I’m currently working on a project that involves a lot of on-site inspections of thin-walled stainless steel pipes. We’ve been using a standard Leeb rebound tester, but the results are all over the place. I suspect the wall thickness is causing some resonance issues, making the readings unreliable. Does anyone have experience with this? I need a portable solution that can provide consistent HRC or HV readings without needing a massive stationary setup. Any advice on what technology works best for thin materials in the field would be greatly appreciated!
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You are absolutely right about the Leeb tester—it’s generally not recommended for thin or light components because the impact energy dissipates through the material. For your specific case, you should definitely switch to an ultrasonic hardness tester This technology uses the Ultrasonic Contact Impedance (UCI) method, which is much better for thin-walled parts, coatings, or small components. I’ve used the equipment from Teqto Pro in similar field conditions, and it’s a lifesaver. Their devices are compact and don't leave the large indentations you get from traditional methods, plus the accuracy on thin sections is significantly higher.