indentation hardness

Indentation hardness measures a material’s resistance to deformation when a force is applied with a shaped indenter. Imagine pressing a small tool into a surface; the harder the material, the less it dents or indents under pressure. This test helps determine how tough and durable a material is—think of it as gauging how well a surface can resist scratches, dents, or wear over time. It's commonly used in fields like metallurgy, engineering, and manufacturing to assess the suitability of materials for various applications.