Determining the Hardness of Hammer Working Surfaces with the TKM-359C Hardness Tester
"The hammer broke while driving a nail," "the faces of the hammerhead became deformed," "...complicating and slowing down construction work" – such situations can arise if the head of the striking tool is made of low-quality metal or if there were violations in the manufacturing process.
To avoid these situations, it's important to choose a hammer that suits your tasks and to check its quality before purchasing.
Types of Hammers
There is a wide variety of hammers on the market for different purposes: locksmith's, carpenter's, spade, plastering, slate, roofing hammers, hammer-pick, and more. Depending on the intended use of the striking tool, its head may be made of wood, rubber, or metal.
For driving nails; bending, compacting, and leveling seams; performing striking operations during assembly and reinforcement work – hammers with a metal head are used. The metal from which the head is made, along with its size, shape, and weight, determines not only the hammer's purpose but also its safety, durability, and ease of use.
The requirements for steel construction hammers are regulated by the national standards of the Russian Federation: GOST 2310-77 "Steel Locksmith Hammers" and GOST R 58518-2019 "Steel Construction Hammers."
In most cases, the hammerhead (working parts: face, peen) is made from steel grades with an increased carbon content.
According to the documents (GOST 2310-77 and GOST R 58518-2019), the hammerhead must be made from steel:
- Grade 40X according to GOST 4543;
- Grade U7 or U8 according to GOST 1435;
- Grade 45, 50, or 60 according to GOST 1050;
- Grade 45L or 50L according to GOST 977.
It is also permissible to manufacture the tool according to technical specifications (TU) established individually when the manufacturer improves the product to achieve certain characteristics. For example, manufacturers of "soft hammers" often use TU. In this case, soft metals like lead or red copper are incorporated into the striking part, making the hammer suitable for working with thin sheet materials.
IMPORTANT! Insufficient hardness of the hammer's working surface directly affects its functionality and durability. However, excessive hardness is not a benefit either! Exceeding the hardness limit set by GOST can cause the hammerhead to crack, posing a serious threat to human health.
To ensure the safety of the tool, we recommend testing its hardness yourself or finding a supplier who can do it for you.
Checking the Hardness of a Locksmith Hammer's Working Surface
According to GOST standards, measurements must be taken in a layer at least 5 mm deep. The measurement point should be located at a distance from the face and peen ends not exceeding 1/5 of the total length of the hammerhead.
Only powerful stationary hardness testers, which are not available at every facility, can penetrate to such a depth. For a quick assessment, we suggest using the portable dynamic hardness tester TKM-359C with a standard "D" type sensor.
The device's memory already has settings for structural and tool steels used in the manufacture of hammers according to GOST. To measure hardness, you need to select the appropriate material in the menu.
IMPORTANT! To obtain accurate results, the controlled working surface should be cleaned before measurements, and the item should be securely fixed in a vise to give it the necessary mass.
See also: "Hardness Testing of Hammers with the Ultrasonic Hardness Tester TKM-459C"
If you have any questions regarding the control of hammer working surfaces, please contact us at mail@mashproject.ru or call 8-800-550-70-47. We will be happy to assist you!