Material Hardness: A Complete Guide to Types and Testing Methods
Material hardness is the ability of a material to resist surface deformation, including scratching, denting, and indentation. A more rigid material usually wears down slower than a softer one.
Hardness is not the same as strength or toughness. A part can be strong but still scratch easily. Hardness focuses on surface resistance, not how much force a part can carry before breaking.