Measure resistance of metal to indenting
- Sample placed on anvil
- Indenter moves down and presses against sample surface
- Indenter returns to starting position
- Measure size of indentation
Sample hardness related to size of indentation
The smaller the indentation the higher the hardness.
Sample on left has lower hardness compared to sample on right.

Brinell hardness tester and close-up of indenter and anvil