Course in Hardness Control for Historical Metals
Online 300-hour course in hardness control for historical metals. 6 modules covering EN ISO 6506-1 (Brinell hardness test), EN ISO 6507-1 (Vickers hardness test) and advanced Excel. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Hardness Control for Historical Metals — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$1,180 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain what hardness measures and its relationship with other properties of the metal.
Select the appropriate test method for each historical component.
Apply portable tests that minimise damage to the component.
Interpret results and convert scales in accordance with ISO 18265.
Relate hardness to heat treatments and period wear.
Make restoration and manufacturing decisions based on measured hardness.
Ensure test quality through calibration and records.
Who it's for
- Materials laboratory technician who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Quality control inspector who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Restorer of mechanical components who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Materials engineer who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Heat treatment technician who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Manufacturer of reproduction spare parts who wants to specialise in hardness control for historical metals.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter testing laboratories.
What you'll work with
- EN ISO 6506-1 (Brinell hardness test)
- EN ISO 6507-1 (Vickers hardness test)
- EN ISO 6508-1 (Rockwell hardness test)
- ISO 16859-1 (Leeb hardness test)
- ISO 18265 (conversion of hardness values)
- ISO 14577-1 (instrumented indentation test)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (testing and calibration laboratories)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Concept of hardness and its relationship with strength1.2Brinell, Rockwell and Vickers scales1.3Microhardness and its application1.4Conversion between scales and its limits1.5Hardness in steels, cast irons and light alloys1.6What the hardness of a historical component tells us1.7Reference standards1.8Terminology and units1.9Safety during testing1.10Workshop: choosing the scale for five components
2.1Bench and portable hardness testers2.2Rebound and ultrasonic testers2.3Surface preparation2.4Minimum thickness of the component2.5Distance between indentations and from the edge2.6Load application time2.7Calibration with reference blocks2.8Common sources of error2.9Recording the tests2.10Practice: measurement using two different methods
3.1The semi-destructive nature of the indentation3.2Choosing non-visible areas3.3Portable hardness testers and their accuracy3.4Local polishing and its restoration3.5Owner's authorisation3.6Non-destructive alternatives3.7Limits for museum pieces3.8Photographic documentation of the indentation3.9Decision not to test3.10Practice: protocol for a collection piece
4.1Expected hardness by type of component4.2Period heat treatments4.3Case hardening and surface hardening4.4Decarburisation and its effect4.5Ageing and its influence4.6Hardness in welded zones4.7Comparison with current specifications4.8Scatter of results and how to read it4.9Cautious conclusions4.10Practice: interpreting a measurement campaign
5.1Reuse, regrind or replace5.2Compatibility between component and mating part5.3Hardness of shafts and bushings5.4Gears and their wear5.5Springs and their loss of properties5.6Reproduction parts and their specification5.7Heat treatment of a new component5.8Risk of over-hardening5.9Report for the client5.10Practice: reasoned decision on three components
6.1Choosing an external laboratory6.2Accreditation and its value6.3Test report and how to read it6.4Sample traceability6.5Cost of testing6.6Combining with other tests6.7Archiving results6.8Common interpretation errors6.9Documented real cases6.10Final project: hardness campaign for a restoration
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is advanced Excel, Minitab, ImageJ (indentation measurement), Python (pandas), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures with a portable Leeb hardness tester on mounted components, Vickers tests in the laboratory, and verification with reference blocks. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain what hardness measures and its relationship with other properties of the metal.
Select the appropriate test method for each historical component.
Apply portable tests that minimise damage to the component.
Interpret results and convert scales in accordance with ISO 18265.
Relate hardness to heat treatments and period wear.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses advanced Excel, Minitab, ImageJ (indentation measurement) and Python (pandas). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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