Hardness test (HV/HB)

A hardness test measures a metal’s resistance to indentation as a proxy for tensile strength and microstructure, the two shipyard scales being Vickers (HV), a diamond pyramid indenter reported as the load over the indent area, and Brinell (HB), a hardened ball giving a wider impression for coarse material. In welding QA, hardness traverses across the weld, heat-affected zone, and parent metal confirm the procedure did not produce brittle, crack-prone HAZ; class welding rules cap HAZ hardness, commonly near 350 HV10 for hull steels, to guard against hydrogen cracking. Readings also verify steel grade and post-weld heat treatment. Vickers suits thin sections and welds; Brinell suits castings and forgings.