Is a mechanical test for evaluating the properties and hardness of metals and other certain materials. The hardness of a material is considered the resistance to a permanent indentation. The principal purpose of the hardness test is to determine suitability of a material for a given application. Hardness is a characteristic of a material, not a fundamental physical property. It is defined as the resistance to indentation, and it is determined by measuring the permanent depth of the indentation.

For some applications, the hardness of a material is a vital characteristic that is valuable to know. Hardness is measured relatively simply by utilizing automated hardness testing machines, which provide meaningfully hardness readings for a wide variety of materials, from soft to hard. 

The hardness test is the most widely used test for evaluating the mechanical properties of metals and other materials, producing immediate results without damage to the components. Hardness testing is typically performed on new components but can also be used on in-service components to identify any issues.