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Hardness Reference Blocks

Hardness Reference Blocks

Brinell, Vickers, Rockwell hardness reference blocks

Hardness reference blocks, also referred to as test plates, are used for indirect calibration methods and periodic daily inspection of hardness testing instruments.


The use of high quality, consistent hardness reference blocks with minimal hardness deviation is essential to ensure the operational reliability of hardness testing machines. To ensure traceability to the hardness standard, the reference blocks must have a minimal hardness deviation and be calibrated with minimal measurement uncertainty.


UnitedTest offers a full line up of hardness test blocks and other accessories for your metal hardness testing needs. Certified Test Blocks are a requirement as a reference material for any type of hardness testing. At UnitedTest, we understand the importance of a Test Block to ensure the accuracy of your hardness testing procedures. Industry standards, such as ASTM, specify that a test block must be used every day that your testing apparatus is in operation as well as whenever an indenter, anvil or load force is changed.


UnitedTest offers most Brinell, and Rockwell blocks in stock. We also carry Knoop, and Vickers Micro blocks, and heavy load Vickers blocks. To complete the line of accessories, we also carry a full line of certified indenters for Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers and Knoop testing and test anvils which are compatible with a wide majority of hardness testers. 


General Introduction

Hardness reference blocks, also referred to as test plates, are used for indirect calibration methods and periodic daily inspection of hardness testing instruments.

The use of high quality, consistent hardness reference blocks with minimal hardness deviation is essential to ensure the operational reliability of hardness testing machines. To ensure traceability to the hardness standard, the reference blocks must have a minimal hardness deviation and be calibrated with minimal measurement uncertainty.

UnitedTest offers a full line up of hardness test blocks and other accessories for your metal hardness testing needs. Certified Test Blocks are a requirement as a reference material for any type of hardness testing. 

At UnitedTest, we understand the importance of a Test Block to ensure the accuracy of your hardness testing procedures. Industry standards, such as ASTM, specify that a test block must be used every day that your testing apparatus is in operation as well as whenever an indenter, anvil or load force is changed.

UnitedTest offers most Brinell, and Rockwell blocks in stock. We also carry Knoop, and Vickers Micro blocks, and heavy load Vickers blocks. To complete the line of accessories, we also carry a full line of certified indenters for Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers and Knoop testing and test anvils which are compatible with a wide majority of hardness testers. 

Key Features

  • Standard
  • Application
  • Brinell blocks
  • Vickers blocks
  • Rockwell blocks

ASTM E10 “Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials”

ISO 6506 “Metallic materials -- Brinell hardness test”

ASTM E18 “Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials”

ISO 6508 “Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test”

ASTM E384 “Standard Test Method for Microindentation Hardness of Materials”

ISO 6507 “Metallic materials -- Vickers hardness test”

4.1. Determination of Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell hardness of ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and cemented carbides:

4.2. Brinell hardness of castings, annealed steel, normalized steel, non-ferrous metals and soft alloys;

4.3. Rockwell hardness of quenched, Quenched and tempered materials;

4.4. Vickers hardness of nitrided layer, ceramics, thin plate, metal sheet, electrodeposited coating and micro parts;

DescriptionHardness rangeDimension(mm)
Brinell Standardized   Block150-250HBW10/3000Ф90×16Or 60×40×10
150-250HBW5/750
150-250HBW2.5/187.5
500-600HBW10/3000
500-600HBW5/750
500-600HBW2.5/187.5
75-125HBW10/3000
75-125HBW5/750
75-125HBW2.5/187.5
Hammer-hitting type   Brinell Standardized Block175-225HBW5/75012×12×150


DescriptionHardness rangeDimension(mm)
Vickers Hardness standard   block300-350HV560×40×10
300-350HV10
300-350HV30
700-800HV3
700-800HV5
700-800HV10
700-800HV30
700-800HV50
400-600HV5
400-600HV10
400-600HV30
175-225HV5
DescriptionHardness rangeDimension(mm)
Standard   micro-hardness block700-800 HV125*25*8
800-900 HV0.5
700-800 HV0.2
400-600 HV0.2
400-600 HV0.1
290-350 HV0.5
290-350 HV0.2
290-350 HV0.1
175-225 HV0.1
175-225 HV0.1
Leeb Hardness standard   block750-850HLDФ 90 × 55
590-670HLD
490-570HLD
550-630HLGФ 120 × 70
460-540HLG
Standard Shore hardness blockHA (7 Pcs)50*50*7
HD (3 pcs)50*50*7



DescriptionHardness rangeDimension(mm)
Rockwell   Standardized Block(28-88)HRAΦ60×10
(20-70)HRC
(85-95)HRB
(60-70)HRBΦ60×10
(30-55)HRB (Copper)60×40×8
(80-90)HRF (Copper)60×40×8
(90-100)HRF60×40×8
Superficial Rockwell   Standardized Block88-92HR15NΦ60×10
74-82HR30N
45-55HR30N
45-55HR45N
85-91HR15N
70-80HR30T
54-72HR45T



Main Technical Specification

DescriptionHardness rangeDimension(mm)
Rockwell   Standardized Block(28-88)HRAΦ60×10
(20-70)HRC
(85-95)HRB
(60-70)HRBΦ60×10
(30-55)HRB (Copper)60×40×8
(80-90)HRF (Copper)60×40×8
(90-100)HRF60×40×8
Superficial Rockwell   Standardized Block88-92HR15NΦ60×10
74-82HR30N
45-55HR30N
45-55HR45N
85-91HR15N
70-80HR30T
54-72HR45T


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Beijing United Test Co., Ltd.