Ames Conversion Chart
Download our handy Ames conversion chart to convert your Rockwell readings to Brinell and to determine which scale to test in
Download nowRockwell Hardness Tester Instructions
For Use With Ames Standard Hardness Testers| SCALE | Major Load(kg) | Penetrator Type | Dial Color | Use Barrel | Typical Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 60 | C Diamond | Black | C | Extremely hard materials, Tungsten Carbide thin steel and low hardened steel |
| B | 100 | 1/16 Ball | Red | B | Medium hard materials, Low and medium Carbon steels, brass, aluminum Alloys, malleable iron, etc. |
| C | 150 | C Diamond | Black | C | Hardened steels, hardened and tempered alloys, hard cast iron, pearlitic malleable iron, titanium, and other materials harder than B100 |
| D | 100 | C Diamond | Black | C | Medium case hardened steel, thin steel, and pearlitic malleable iron |
| E | 100 | 1/8 Ball | Red | B | Cast iron, Aluminum and magnesium alloy bearing metals |
| F | 60 | 1/16 Ball | Red | B | Annealed brass and copper alloys, thin soft sheet metals |
| G | 150 | 1/16 Ball | Red | B | Beryllum copper, phosphor bronze, malleable irons, etc. |
| H | 60 | 1/8 Ball | Red | B | Aluminum sheet, zinc, lead |
| K | 150 | 1/8 Ball | Red | B | Cast iron, aluminum alloys, bearing materials |
| L | 60 | 1/4 Ball | Red | B | Plastics and soft metals such as lead, thin materials |
| M | 100 | 1/4 Ball | Red | B | Same as L scale |
| P | 150 | 1/4 Ball | Red | B | Same as L scale |
| R | 60 | 1/2 Ball | Red | B | Same as L scale |
| S | 100 | 1/2 Ball | Red | B | Same as L scale |
| V | 150 | 1/2 Ball | Red | B | Same as L scale |
Ames Superficial Hardness Tester Note: There is only one row of dial numbers for the Ames superficial tester.
| SCALE | Major Load(kg) | Penetrator | Typical Material Tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15N | 15 | S Diamond | Same materials as standard Rockwell except where shallow penetration is necessary as in: |
| 30N | 30 | S Diamond | – |
| 45N | 45 | S Diamond | – |
| 15T | 15 | 1/16 Ball | Shallow case hardened parts. To .010 inch |
| 30T | 30 | 1/16 Ball | – |
| 45T | 45 | 1/16 Ball | Hard thin material down to .006 inch |
| 15W | 15 | 1/8 Ball | – |
| 30W | 30 | 1/8 Ball | Cemented Carbides |
| 45W | 45 | 1/8 Ball | – |
| 15X | 15 | 1/4 Ball | Plastics |
| 30X | 30 | 1/4 Ball | – |
| 45X | 45 | 1/4 Ball | – |
| 15Y | 15 | 1/2 Ball | – |
| 30Y | 30 | 1/2 Ball | – |
| 45Y | 45 | 1/2 Ball | – |
Comparison Gage Chart
| Gage Number | Thickness in decimals |
|---|---|
| 8 | .171 |
| 10 | .140 |
| 12 | .109 |
| 14 | .078 |
| 16 | .062 |
| 18 | .050 |
| 20 | .037 |
| 22 | .031 |