ME222 Lab Report Experiment 5 - A9

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Experiment 5 : Studies on hardness of Steel/Al/Brass using Brinell scale.

Instructor : Prof. Kamal K. Kar
LAB REPORT
Date of Experiment : 29/01/2018
Date of Submission : 4/2/2018
Group A9 :
Vardhan Gupta - 160775
Vasu Bansal : 160776
Vinod Kanwar : 160792
Vishal Singh : 160804
Vivek Gangwar : 160812
Vivek Singh : 160813
AIM : To measure the Brinell Hardness of given Mild Steel, Aluminium and Brass
samples using a Tungsten Carbide indenter, with loads varying from 750-1500 N
and applied for about 20 seconds. Also plot graph of Load vs. Hardness and discuss
the results.
INTRODUCTION : Hardness is a surface property, which is defined as the resistance

of a material to localized plastic deformation or indentation.
Generally, there are three types through which hardness is measured :
1. Scratch Hardness: - In this we scratch one material onto another harder material. This
test is generally not used for metals.
2. Indentation hardness: In this we deform the surface of the material by making

deformation on the surfaces.
3. Rebound or dynamic hardness: - In this impact is done by the metal by dropping the
intender over it and hardness is measured as the energy of impact done.
The usual method to achieve the hardness value is by measuring the depth or area of an
indentation left by an indenter of a specific shape, with a specific force applied for a fixed
time.
In Brinell Hardness test a hard, spherical indenter is forced onto the surface of the metal to
be tested.
THEORY : Hardness is a measure of the resistance to localised plastic deformation

induced by either mechanical indentation or abrasion. Macroscopic hardness is generally
characterized by strong intermolecular bonds, but the behavior of solid materials under
force is complex. There are different measurements of hardness like Scratch hardness,
indentation hardness and Rebound/Dynamic Hardness.
Hardness is depended on various properties of the
material like ductility, elastic stiffness, strength,
toughness, viscoelasticity and viscosity.
The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation

hardness of materials through the scale of penetration
of an indenter, loaded on a material test piece. It is
one of several definitions of hardness in materials
science.
The test uses a 10mm diameter Tungesten Carbide

ball as an indenter. The indentation is measured and
hardness is calculated as :
2P
BHN = where : BHN = Brinell
πD(D−√D2 −d2 )
Hardness number(kgf/mm2)
P = applied load in kgf
D = diameter of indenter(mm)
D = diameter of indentation(mm)
The diameter is noted for different

angles and BHN is calculated for each
of them. The final result for a
particular load is the mean of these.
We take mean to avoid errors and also
as the hardness may vary along the
surface of the material.
Load is applied in a range of 750N -

1500N depending on the material, for
about 20 seconds. Harder materials
require higher loads than softer materials.
PROCEDURE :
1. Insert/place the indenter into the machine.
2. Position the steel work-piece on the moving table
3. Now, turn/rotate the handle to the required height. Take precaution for the safety value of
the machine in the small dial .This value is 3 .

4. Place the required load onto the load hanger.
5. Now start by pressing the green button. The load starts to elevate. Start the stop watch
once it comes to rest. This is the position from where the force is being applied
6. Keep the dwell time for the load to be 20 seconds.
7. After the dwell time period ends, we observe that the indenter imparts a round indent on
the surface of the specimen.
8. Disengage the load, measure the diameter of the indent formed. This is done with aid of
the micrometer in the microscope. Record the measurements.
9. Now the above steps for different major loadings.
Photos of
indentations in
Aluminum,
Brass and Steel
respectively.
Tables of variation of indentation :-
For aluminium :-

Dwell Minor Diameter Major BHN Mean
time for Load d(avg.)(m load
minor m)
load(in s)
20 250 kgf 5.8 750 kgf 25.77
5.8 25.77 25.77
5.8 25.77
5.8 25.77
For Brass :-
Dwell Minor Diameter Major BHN Mean
time for Load d(avg.)(m load
minor m)
load(in s)
20 250 kgf 2.9 750 kgf 111.16
3 103.71 102.20
3.1 96.97
3.1 96.97
For Mild steel :-

Dwell time for Minor Diameter Major BHN Mean Mean overall
minor load(in s) Load d(avg.)(mm) load
20 250 3.2 750 kgf 90.84 90.84
kgf 3.2 90.84
3.2 90.84
3.2 90.84
20 250 3.4 1000 106.91 106.91
kgf 3.4 kgf 106.91
3.4 106.91 114.62
3.4 106.91
20 250 3.5 1250 125.88 125.88
kgf 3.5 kgf 125.88
3.5 125.88
3.5 125.88
20 250 3.7 1500 134.62 134.62
kgf 3.7 kgf 134.62
3.7 134.62
3.7 134.62
Graph :
Questions and Answers :
Q1 What is the effect of temperature on hardness?
Ans 1. As we increase the temperature, hardness will decrease. This is because as

temperature rises, kinetic energy of the molecules increases, thus average
intermolecular distance will increase which leads to decrease in the interactions of
molecules and the abilty to resist deformation decreases.
Q2 How would you calculate young’s modulus of these materials based on hardness
data?
Ans 2. For most steels the HB and the tensile strength are related by the equation
T S(M P a) = 3.45 X HB
From this equation we can get the tensile stress which then can be used to
calculate Young’s modulus.
Q3 How hardness is important from the design point of view?

Ans 3: While designing any structure different parts will experience different kinds
and amounts of stress. Thus to avoid chances of failure we try to use such
materials to make the parts that don’t get plastically deformed while operating.
Q4 How hardness in important from a processing point of view in industries?

Ans: Hardness testing is often the best way of establishing that components will
survive and perform in their intended applications. Exposure to loads, pressures
and extreme temperatures in manufacturing has the potential to affect the
performance of parts comprised of metals and metal alloys. Due to complex
specimen geometry and linear correlation between hardness and tensile strength
in metals, hardness testing is often the best way of establishing that components
will survive and perform in their intended applications. As a result, hardness
testing has become an essential part of the quality control process.
Discussion of Results :- The results for steel are not consistent over different loads.
However from theory we expect that Brinell Hardness number be constant as the
hardness of a homogeneous material is to be constant.
Possible reasons could be :

1). Rough surface of the steel sample.
2). Rough surface of the indentor ball/
3). Not varying the ball diameter with varying
loads. Using a constant diameter ball leads to
different geometry of indentation for different
loads as shown in the picture.
CONCLUSION : We conclude that Brinell Hardness Test is a not a very good
method of determining hardness of a homogeneous material.
The greatest source of error in Brinell testing is the measurement of the indentation.
Due to disparities in making the measurements, the results will vary even under
perfect conditions. Less than perfect conditions can cause the variation to increase
greatly.
PRECAUTIONS :
1). Insert the testing sample material properly in the holder so that it does not come
out during experimentation.
2). The dimensions of the indenter should be precisely measured and proper care
should be ensured by taking proper distance while handling the apparatus.
3). The machine should be stopped for a while after regular time intervals for proper
dissipation of heat.
4). Always remove the measure load before pre-load to ensure smooth functioning
of the machine.
5). While taking readings, adjust the position of micrometer such as the two ends of
the scale are approximately along the diameter of the indentation hole.
6). For better results, polish the surface of the specimen.
References :
1). Wikipedia
2). Materials Science and Engineering, An Introduction (Eighth Edition) by William

D. Callister, Jr. and David G. Rethwisch.
3).https://www.academia.edu/2158292/Brinell_Hardness_Test-_determination_of_h
ardness_of_steel_and_aluminum
4).http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/112107146/lects%20&%20picts/image/lect12/lect
ure12.htm
5). http://www.hardnesstesters.com/test-types/brinell-hardness-testing

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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Experiment 5 : Studies on hardness of Steel/Al/Brass using Brinell scale.

INTRODUCTION : ​Hardness is a surface property, which is defined as the resistance

Generally, there are three types through which hardness is measured :

2. Indentation hardness: In this we deform the surface of the material by making

THEORY : ​Hardness is a measure of the resistance to localised plastic deformation

The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation

The test uses a 10mm diameter Tungesten Carbide

P = applied load in kgf

The diameter is noted for different

Load is applied in a range of 750N -

the machine in the small dial .This value is 3 .

For aluminium​ ​:-

For Mild steel :-

Questions and Answers :

Q1 ​ ​What is the effect of temperature on hardness?

Ans 1. As we increase the temperature, hardness will decrease. This is because as

Q3 How hardness is important from the design point of view?

Q4 How hardness in important from a processing point of view in industries?

Possible reasons could be :

6). For better results, polish the surface of the specimen.

2).​ ​Materials Science and Engineering, An Introduction (Eighth Edition) by William

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INTRODUCTION : Hardness is a surface property, which is defined as the resistance

THEORY : Hardness is a measure of the resistance to localised plastic deformation

For aluminium :-

Q1 What is the effect of temperature on hardness?

2). Materials Science and Engineering, An Introduction (Eighth Edition) by William