What is the best portable hardness tester for welds?

Welds are best tested using UCI (Ultrasonic Contact Impedance) portable hardness testers. UCI devices are ideal for narrow weld beads and heat-affected zones due to their ability to test small and polished surfaces accurately without rebound.

Can portable hardness testers be used on pipes?

Yes. For small or thin-walled pipes, UCI testers are recommended. For large, heavy-wall pipes over 12mm thick, Leeb testers with Type D or DL impact devices are effective. Always check minimum wall thickness before testing.

What is the best method to test castings or rough surfaces?

For castings, Leeb Type G or Type D testers are best due to their higher impact energy and tolerance for rough surfaces. UCI testers are not recommended for porous or irregular cast components.

How do I choose the right hardness tester for my application?

Use the Portable Tester Selector Tool on Testavor.ca to get matched with the best tester for your material type, geometry, and test requirements. The tool compares Leeb vs. UCI options based on your inputs.

Can I switch probes on a portable tester to handle different materials?

Yes. Leeb testers can be equipped with different impact devices like D, DL, G, or C to suit various applications. It's important to re-zero and recalibrate after switching probes for accurate results.

Portable Hardness Testing for Welds, Pipes, and Castings — Which Method is Right?

In Canadian field operations, few materials present more testing challenges than welds, pipes, and castings. Curved surfaces, variable geometries, and mixed alloys all demand the right hardness testing method — and the right device.

This guide breaks down:

The best methods for each material type
Recommended portable testers
How to avoid inaccurate or non-compliant results

🔩 1. Welds: Complex Geometry + Heat-Affected Zones

Challenge: Weld beads are irregular, narrow, and often surrounded by HAZ (heat-affected zones) with different hardness. Inaccurate readings can lead to weld rejection, especially in ASME and CWB environments.

Recommended Method:
✅ UCI (Ultrasonic Contact Impedance)
- Works on small test spots
- Penetrates polished or ground weld faces
- No indentation or rebound needed

➡️ Compare Leeb vs. UCI Test Methods
➡️ Use the Tester Selector Tool
➡️ Top UCI Testers for 2025

🛢 2. Pipes: Curved and Thin-Walled Surfaces

Challenge: Curvature reduces impact area, and thin walls below ~5mm can cause false low values in Leeb readings.

Recommended Method:
⚠️ Use UCI for small pipe diameters
✅ Use Leeb Type D or DL for larger-diameter, heavy-wall pipe (≥12mm thick)

✅ Check thickness with the Minimum Thickness Calculator
✅ Check finish using the Surface Compatibility Tool
✅ Browse DL Probes & Accessories

🧱 3. Castings & Forgings: Irregular, Grainy, and Often Large

Challenge: Grain structure, porosity, and shape variation can produce bouncing or erratic readings. Conventional testers often can’t make repeatable contact.

Recommended Method:
✅ Leeb Type G for high-impact stability
✅ Leeb Type D on flat casting faces
❌ Avoid UCI on rough or porous surfaces

🔧 Shop PHT-1750 w/ G Impact Device
📚 Learn more: Portable Hardness Tester Guide

📊 Quick Comparison Table

Material	Best Method	Recommended Testers
Welds	UCI	TQ-4C, PHT-6005, TQ-4Combi
Pipes (Thin)	UCI	TQ-4C with 1kg probe
Pipes (Thick)	Leeb DL or D	PHT-2000, TQ-3C
Castings	Leeb G or D	PHT-1750, PHT-1800 Series

🧠 Not Sure What to Choose?

Use our interactive Portable Tester Selector Tool to input your material type, surface condition, and test requirements — we’ll recommend the right fit.

Explore more:

🏁 Final Thoughts

Portable hardness testing isn't one-size-fits-all. When welds fail inspection or pipe results come back inconsistent, it's usually due to method mismatch.

Testavor helps Canadian inspectors and QA teams eliminate the guesswork with:

Field-ready UCI and Leeb testers
Certified impact devices and accessories
Free calculators and selector tools

👉 Browse Portable Hardness Testers
👉 Use the Selector Tool Now

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