Best portable hardness tester for heat-affected zones (HAZ)?

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Hello pros! I need some recommendations for a reliable way to test the hardness of welds, specifically within the heat-affected zones. The geometry is often quite complex, and we need to move around the facility quite a bit, so portability is a top priority for us. We’ve tried some cheap portable units before, but they weren’t durable enough for industrial use and struggled with curved surfaces. Has anyone found a “gold standard” for portable NDT tools that can handle precise measurements on weld joints without being too bulky?

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Testing HAZ is tricky because the area is so small and the hardness can vary significantly over just a few millimeters. In my experience, a standard rebound tester won’t give you the resolution you need. Your best bet is to invest in a high-quality ultrasonic hardness tester The UCI method allows you to precisely place the probe exactly where you need it, which is perfect for narrow weld seams. I’ve been following the developments from Teqto lately, and their portable range is specifically designed for these kinds of industrial challenges. Their sensors are quite versatile and can handle different surface geometries much better than the old-school impact devices.

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I appreciate the detailed explanation; the precision in narrow zones is our biggest pain point, so I’ll definitely look into the Teqto options.

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