Hardness testing museum

The Museum was opened in 2005. The idea to create a Museum of Hardness Testing occurred to us thanks to our acquaintance with S.-Petersburg Instrument Museum collection (the founder is "Prommashinstrument" OOO) and its director Lyubov Kirilova. A unique collection of instruments of the end of XVIII - middle of XX century has been collected in the museum.

EXHIBITS

COLLECTION OF BOOKS ON HARDNESS MEASUREMENT

Библиотека по Твердометрии

It is the fullest collection of books in Russian on Hardness Measurement including the rare books of the 30-s XX-th century and translations from German specialized literature.

PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER OF IMPACT TYPE: POLDI-HUTTE MODEL. CZECH REPUBLIC 1920-1930. USSR 1930-1941.

Твердомер переносной ударного типа Poldi-Hutte Твердомер переносной ударного типа Poldi-Hutte

Measurements on Brinell scale (НВ).

Dynamic method of hardness testing based on the restored indentation, developed at Poldi-Hutte Czech plant. Hardness test block shall be inserted into the hole perpendicular to the probe. The load is applied by a hummer stroke. The ball leaves an indent on the reference test block and on the article itself. The diameter of the both indentations is to be measured by an eye-lens, and hardness is to be determined from the table.

The similar instrument was produced under license in USSR in the 30-s. Its name was: "POLDI" Measuring instrument for hardness testing, Gorky labour colony of NKVD in Kharkov. At present, it is exhibited in the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow.

ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST BLOCK (HRC). GERMANY 1937-1945

Мера твёрдости Роквелла Мера твёрдости Роквелла

Writing on the brand: "Staatl. Materialprüfungsamt Berlin-Dahlem", which means "State Verification Material of Berlin-Dahlem Insitute". The organization "Gesellschaft zur Förderung zerstörungsfreier Prüfverfahren" (GFZfP) registered in 1937 under the Institute became one of the first companies specializing in non-destructive control methods. At present it is called "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfverfahren" (DGZfP).

On the backside, Value46,3 HRC is engraved. The measured value of hardness number (March 2005) is 44,9 HRC with the range of value equal to 0,5 HRC.

HARDNESS TESTER OF SCRATCHING TYPE: TSUBOSAN MODEL. JAPAN 1950-1960.

Твердомер царапающего типа Tsubosan Твердомер царапающего типа Tsubosan

Testing on Rockwell scale (40...65 HRC) with the conversion to Vickers scale (HV).

There are 6 various colour needle files with the values of HRC: 65; 60; 55; 50; 45; 40. The scratching shall be started from the softest needle file of 40 HRC. If it didn’t leave any scratch, we switch to the next needle file of 45 HRC and so on. When needle file leaves a scratch, we shall determine the range in which the hardness of the tested article is.

By using the attached table, one can convert the value into Vickers scale.

BRINELL HARDNESS TEST BLOCKS. THE MANUFACTURER IS PO "TOCHPROBOR", USSR 1974

Меры твёрдости Бринелля ПО Точприбор

Hardness test blocks on Brinell scale. The size: 79*75*19 mm.

The uniqueness of the hardness test blocks in our collection consists in the fact that they are from the last batch of test blocks of the said standard size manufactured in 1974. From 1 January 1975, new GOST 9031-75 for test blocks was introduced, which established new standard sizes for reference hardness test blocks.

THE FIRST IN THE WORLD: PORTABLE DYNAMIC HARDNESS TESTER: EQUOTIP MODEL. SWITZERLAND 1975

Твердомер портативный динамический Equotip

Measurements on Leeb scale (HL), the values of which are converted with the help of the tables into other hardness scales. The manufacturer is "Proseq", Switzerrland.

The principle of operation: dynamic method (rebound method): after pressing the "ON" button, the loaded spring is released against the hammer which, in its turn, strikes the tested article. The ratio of the hammer speed before and after the strike is then measured.

The method was standardized in USA and named after the development engineer Leeb from "Proseq" firm.

THE FIRST IN THE WORLD - PORTABLE ULTRASONIC HARDNESS TESTER: MICRODUR MODEL, FRG 1977

Твердомер портативный ультразвуковой MicroDur

Measurements of Rockwell scale (HRC) and Vickers scale (HV). The principle of operation: - ultrasonic contact impedance method (UCI-method). The manufacturer is "Krautkramer Branson", FRG.

The hardness tester probe is with motor drive: the indenter is loaded with the help of the in-built small motor. When the probe is pressed to the article the motor is activated and makes indenter penetrate into the tested article. After the measurement is completed, the motor takes the indenter back and moves it deeper into the probe, and the measured value appears on the scale plate.

THE FIRST IN THE USSR - DYNAMIC PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER, MODEL TPTS-1. USSR 1985

Твердомер портативный динамический ТПЦ-1

The rarest exhibit - the first domestic hardness tester of dynamic principle of operation. The full name is: Digital Portable Hardness Tester TPTs-1.

It was developed and produced by the Institute of Applied Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Byelorussia, Minsk.

It was first described in the publication of the collection of articles "Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of BSSR" No.2 and No.3 1986.

VICKERS HARDNESS TEST BLOCKS (HV). FGR 1989

Меры твёрдости Виккерса

The verification was conducted at DGZfP Training Centre Dortmund.

Reference hardness test blocks are kept in a small leather case in which there are 4 separate leather pockets for each reference test block. Together with every reference hardness test block there is a calibration certificate for every test block.

On the case back side, there is a loop for fixing on the waist belt.

ULTRASONIC PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER: MODEL KIT-M-01. RUSSIA 1993

Твердомер портативный ультразвуковой КИТ-М-01

The first domestic portable hardness tester. The principle of operation: ultrasonic contact impedance method (UCI method). The full name is: Contact Impedance Hardness Tester KIT-M-01.

The development engineer is: Uretski Yu.I., the manufacturer is: OOO "Dynamit-Contact, Rostov-on-Don.

DYNAMIC PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER: MODEL TEMP-1. RUSSIA 1993

Твердомер портативный динамический ТЭМП-1

The full name: Electronic Microprocessor Programmable Hardness Tester TEMP-1.

The manufacture: NPF "Tekhnotest", Moscow

The hardness tester body is the same as for "Yunost" radio set, connecting plug to the probe is from a television antenna.

DYNAMIC PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER: MIT-2. RUSSIA 1999

Твердомер портативный динамический МИТ-2

The full name: Microprocessor Hardness Tester MIT-2.

The manufacture: NPP "Mitex", Kaliningrad. Patent RF No.2052794.

Original type of dynamic probe is used, it produces electromagnetic acceleration of indenter, instead of using spring under load, as other producers usually do.