Conductivity and Hardness Testing

HARDNESS TESTING determines the material’s resistance to permanent deformation. This correlates directly to the strength and wear resistance of a part.

3P uses indention hardness testing, where a ball indenter is forced into the surface of the test material using a specified load. The diameter and depth of the indention is measured and used to obtain the hardness value.

CONDUCTIVITY TESTING measures how the material allows the flow of electricity in nonferrous and nonmagnetic metal. It can also help detect and characterize defects such as surface and sub-surface cracks, gouges and voids. It can also verify a material’s heat treat condition and wall thickness.

In order to get an accurate reading, parts are tempered and inspected in a climate controlled environment. Parts are positioned on a coil producing an alternating magnetic field which passes into the material in circular currents. The flow of these circular (eddy) currents is measured, and any disruptions in the current indicates discontinuities such as cracks, porosity or inclusions.

If parts are deemed unacceptable by the inspector, 3P customer service is notified to alert the customer.

After testing, parts are moved to the next operation. Typically, Penetrant Inspection.