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United Testing Rockwell Hardness Tester Tru-Blue II

The United Testing Tru-Blue II is a bench-top Rockwell hardness tester in 10, 14, 18 and 20 inch vertical test heights - certified to ASTM E18 and ISO 6508, in service at NADCAP-approved heat treatment, fastener and aerospace component manufacturing facilities.

Description

Manufactured by United Testing Systems, our advanced materials testing brand, the United Testing Tru-Blue II is a high-quality bench-top Rockwell hardness tester with electronic controls and high-precision load cells for accurate indentation depth measurement across a wide range of metal substrates. 

Used by NADCAP-approved heat treatment facilities, fastener manufacturers, aerospace and defense component suppliers, forging and casting QC labs, tool and die manufacturers, and incoming steel and aluminum inspection labs – the Tru-Blue II supports Rockwell Hardness Testing across 15 regular Rockwell scales (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, S, V) and 15 superficial scales (15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T, 15W, 30W, 45W, 15X, 30X, 45X, 15Y, 30Y, 45Y) – the full standard range for metal hardness verification. 

Available in 10, 14, 18 and 20 inch vertical test heights, the Tru-Blue II fits standard QC benches while accommodating the range of part sizes encountered in heat treatment, fastener and aerospace QC workflows. Automatic cylindrical part correction, scale-to-scale conversion, GOOD/NO GOOD audio alert and foot-switch test activation reduce operator influence and support high-throughput incoming inspection. Companion Tru-Blue Sample Mounting Press and the Tru-Blue Micro VT for Vickers and Knoop microhardness testing extend the range for complete hardness QC coverage.

Why it matters

NADCAP, ASTM E18 and ISO 6508 compliance ready. In service at NADCAP-approved heat treaters, fastener manufacturers and fabricators. Complies with ASTM E18 and ISO 6508 including all NIST, ISO and CE requirements. Factory direct certification covers depth, force, hysteresis and dwell timing versus force. 

30 total Rockwell scales – full standard coverage. 15 regular scales plus 15 superficial scales cover the full Rockwell range for hardened tool steels, non-ferrous metals, thin sheets, plated coatings and case-hardened surfaces. 

Reduces operator influence – repeatable results across shifts. Removable clamping device secures parts, foot-switch activation frees the operator’s hands for repetitive high-throughput incoming inspection, five preset load dwell times (including NIST and plastics settings), automatic cylindrical part correction, GOOD/NO GOOD audio alert.

What is Rockwell Hardness Testing?

Hardness is a characteristic of a material rather than a fundamental physical property. It is defined as the resistance to indentation and is determined by measuring the permanent depth of the indentation. The Rockwell hardness test measures how hard your materials are; the smaller the indentation after applying a fixed load, the harder the material.

Why choose a Rockwell hardness tester?

At Industrial Physics, we understand that lab downtime and disruptions cost you money – that’s why every section of this rockwell hardness tester is manufactured by skilled experts using the highest quality components possible. The Tru-Blue II Rockwell Hardness Tester is built for durability, precision and ease of use, complete with a removable clamping device that secures your test, reducing operator influence. This is a benchtop hardness tester offers a higher precision and accuracy compared to portable testers due to their stable setup and controlled environment.

Wide-ranging rockwell hardness testing

The Tru-Blue II gives you unparalleled control of your rockwell hardness testing. It offers you 15 regular scales: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, S, V; and it features 15 superficial scales: 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T, 15W, 30W, 45W, 15X, 30X, 45X. 15Y, 30Y and 45Y.

The height of rockwell hardness measurement:

Four vertical test height variants share the same electronics, load cell system, scale coverage and certification package: 

  • 10 inch (TB-II/10) – most common variant for standard fastener, heat-treated component and incoming steel bar QC. 
  • 14 inch – accommodates taller parts, mid-size castings and small forgings. 
  • 18 inch – for larger parts, longer bars and heavier castings. 
  • 20 inch – maximum vertical clearance for the largest parts that still fit a bench-top tester.

NADCAP ready rockwell hardness measurement

The Tru-Blue II rockwell hardness tester is used in many NADCAP approved facilities including heat treaters, fastener manufacturers, and fabricators.

A built to last rockwell hardness tester

When you need absolute confidence in your rockwell hardness measurement you want a machine that’s tough enough for the job. The Tru-Blue II will help you to perform thousands of test cycles without the risk of breakdown or failure.

Rockwell Hardness Tester Excellence – as standard

The Tru-Blue II is designed to support Rockwell hardness testing to: 

  • ASTM E18 – Standard Test Methods for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic Materials 
  • ISO 6508 – Metallic materials – Rockwell hardness test 

Additional compliance: all NIST, ISO, CE and ASTM requirements. Factory direct certification of depth, force, hysteresis and dwell timing versus force ships with each unit. Factory indirect certification available – requires customer-supplied indenter(s) and a flat anvil (minimum size 1.5 inch), with five hardness scales certified at no extra charge.

Easy Hardness Testing

The Tru-Blue II Rockwell Hardness Tester comes with five preset load dwell times, including settings for NIST and plastics, and a useful connector to activate tests using a foot switch. It also provides instant computer-controlled application of forces through a closed-loop load cell. Hardness values can be easily identified in points, tenths, and hundredths, displayed on the high-resolution digital display.

50+ years of Hardness Testing experience

We’ve used this experience to design and manufacture a wide range of microhardness testers and accessories. These include bench-top sample cutters, sample mounting devices and double-disc sample grinder / polishers. Also from the United Testing range we make the industry-leading United Testing Tru-Blue Micro VT a semi-automatic microhardness tester to perform Vickers hardness (HV) or Knoop hardness (HK) tests.

Whether you’re in the market for a single piece of equipment for your lab, or looking to set-up a new lab dedicated to microhardness testing, we offer a range of products. We have the expertise to answer any question and deliver the product that will best suit your needs. For more information – just get in touch!

Rockwell and Microhardness Testing Top Tips

We’ve been building Rockwell hardness and microhardness testers for decades and we’ve learned a thing or two. You’ll find helpful testing insights throughout the knowledge base section of our website, where we publish articles exploring all manner of related subjects. First up, you can take a more detailed dive into what Knoop and Vickers hardness testing is all about. Then, perhaps you’d like to pick up some advice on what’s really involved in Rockwell hardness testing.

What happens after you enquire

When you enquire about the Tru-Blue II, our United Testing Systems specialists will confirm your typical part height (helping you choose between 10, 14, 18 or 20 inch models), primary hardness scales used (which affects indenter selection), whether you need factory direct or factory indirect certification, and any specific NADCAP or aerospace prime-contractor certification requirements. 

For purchasing teams, we provide the SKU (TB-II/10 or the height variant selected), quotation turnaround and technical documentation for internal sign-off.

Service, warranty and ongoing support

Every Tru-Blue II Rockwell Hardness Tester is supplied with a 1 year parts and labour warranty as standard – our Industrial Physics group commitment across all brands. Ongoing support focuses on periodic calibration verification against TB II Test Blocks, replacement Diamond IndentersTrue Blue II Hardness Anvils for different part geometries, and the optional True Blue II Mobile Floor Stand for repositioning. To arrange service, calibration verification or spares, contact our support team. 

Beyond the warranty period, the Industrial Physics global service network provides advice on scale selection, factory indirect certification for updated hardness scales, NADCAP audit preparation, and integrating the Tru-Blue II into a documented QC workflow. Companion products include the Tru-Blue Sample Mounting Press and the Tru-Blue Micro VT for Vickers and Knoop microhardness testing. 

Specifications

SKU: TB-II/10

Applications: Hardness Testing, Materials Testing, Rockwell Hardness Testing

Materials: Aluminum, Metal, Steel, Tinplate

Item: TB-II-H10-D5.5 

Vertical capacity: 10″ 

Throat depth: 5.5″ 

Closed loop: control of test cycle 

Application: of force measured via a load cell 

Test: five preset test dwell times in accordance with ASTM E-18 

Warranty:  1 year parts and labour warranty as standard

Certified: CE certified 

Spec: 110 or 220VAC 50/60 Hz 1 Phase, 1 Amp 

Dimension: 8″W x 20″D x 33.5″H 

Weight: 185 lbs. (84 Kg) 

Features & Benefits

  • 4 vertical test height variants (10, 14, 18, 20 inch) – match tester height to part range
  • 30 Rockwell scales (15 regular + 15 superficial) – full standard range for metals
  • Complies with ASTM E18 and ISO 6508 – audit-defensible data for NADCAP-approved facilities
  • Factory direct certification of depth, force, hysteresis and dwell timing – NADCAP audit trail begins at delivery
  • Removable clamping device secures parts – reduces operator-to-operator variability
  • Foot-switch test activation – hands-free operation for repetitive high-throughput QC
  • Five preset load dwell times including NIST and plastics settings – correct dwell time without manual configuration
  • Automatic cylindrical part correction – accurate hardness on round bars, shafts and cylindrical fasteners
  • GOOD/NO GOOD audio alert with scale-to-scale conversion – immediate pass/fail feedback
  • Closed-loop computer-controlled force application via load cell – consistent force delivery
  • Bench-top footprint (8″ W x 20″ D x 33.5″ H, 185 lbs) – fits standard QC bench
  • 1 year parts and labour warranty as standard – group-wide Industrial Physics warranty commitment across all brands

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Standards

FAQs

  • The Rockwell hardness test measures the hardness of materials by determining the depth of penetration of an indenter under a large load.
  • It is calculated using the depth of penetration, with different scales (e.g., Rockwell B, Rockwell C) for various materials.
  • Choose based on the tallest part you typically test plus a working clearance margin. The 10″ model (TB-II/10) covers standard fasteners, heat-treated components and incoming steel bar – the most common configuration. The 14″ model accommodates taller parts, mid-size castings and small forgings. The 18″ model handles larger parts, longer bars and heavier castings. The 20″ model provides maximum vertical clearance for the largest parts that still fit a bench-top tester. All four variants share the same electronics, load cell system, 30-scale Rockwell coverage and factory direct certification package. 

  • The Tru-Blue II covers 30 total Rockwell scales – 15 regular scales (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, S, V) and 15 superficial scales (15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T, 15W, 30W, 45W, 15X, 30X, 45X, 15Y, 30Y, 45Y). Scale-to-scale conversion is built into the tester. Diamond indenters for Scales A, C, N and a C/N combo indenter are available as spares. 

  • The Tru-Blue II is a Rockwell hardness tester – fixed load through an indenter, measuring indentation depth. Standard method for bulk metal hardness verification. The Tru-Blue Micro VT is a semi-automatic microhardness tester that performs Vickers (HV) and Knoop (HK) tests using much lower loads and optical measurement – suitable for very thin surface layers (case hardening depth, plating thickness, thin sheets) and small features. Choose Tru-Blue II for bulk metal QC; use Micro VT when Rockwell load levels are too high for the specific feature.

  • Yes. The Tru-Blue II is in service at many NADCAP-approved heat treaters, fastener manufacturers, aerospace component suppliers and fabricators. It complies with ASTM E18 and ISO 6508, plus all NIST and CE requirements. Factory direct certification of depth, force, hysteresis and dwell timing versus force ships with each unit as standard. 

  • Factory direct certification of depth, force, hysteresis and dwell timing ships with each Tru-Blue II. For ongoing verification, use TB II Test Blocks at intervals specified by your quality management system – typical NADCAP practice is daily verification before production QC and periodic full recalibration. Factory indirect certification is available – requires your indenter(s) and a flat anvil, with five hardness scales certified at no extra charge. 

Customer Success Story

Support needed across full range of paints and coatings → Partnered with Industrial Physics → Diverse testing tools unlocked ✓

The problem

Some paint manufacturers have to undertake so many different types of tests that it’s hard to stay on top of the demands of their industry and the changing technologies that can best support them.

The solution

This was the case for our valued customer. They needed the equipment, skills, experience, and collaboration of a genuine partner. One offering personalized support and guidance identifying the correct inspection solution for each situation. We are always delighted to help.

The outcome

Daniel Marschall, President of Marschall Labs, said:

 

“The professionals at Industrial Physics took the time to understand the specific testing equipment needs of our lab. I can’t say enough about the excellent customer service and support they provide.”

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