Lab Hardness Test
Lab Hardness Test
Lab Hardness Test
INTRODUCTION
The Rockwell hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a
diamond cone or hardened steel ball indenter. The indenter is forced into the test
material under a preliminary minor load FO. When equilibrium has been reached, an
indicating device, which follows the movements of the indenter and so responds to
changes in depth of penetration of the indenter, is set to a datum position. While the
preliminary minor load is still applied an additional major load is applied with resulting
increase in penetration. When equilibrium has again been reach, the additional major
load is removed but the preliminary minor load is still maintained. Removal of the
additional major load allows recovery, so reducing the depth of penetration. The
permanent increase in depth of penetration, resulting from the application and removal
of the additional major load is used to calculate the Rockwell hardness number. [1]
HR =E - e
E= a constant depending on form of indenter: 100 units for diamond indenter, 130units
for steel ball indenter HR = Rockwell hardness number
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Vickers Hardness Test
All Vickers ranges use a 136° pyramidal diamond indenter that forms a square indent.
The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force. The force
is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 – 15 seconds. The dwell time is
complete; the indenter is removed leaving an indent in the sample that appears square
shaped on the surface. The size of the indent is determined optically by measuring the
two diagonals of the square indent. The Vickers hardness number is a function of the
test force divided by the surface area of the indent. The average of the two diagonals is
used in the following formula to calculate the Vickers hardness. [2]
The constant is a function of the indenter geometry and the units of force and diagonal.
The Vickers number, which normally ranges from HV 100 to HV1000 for metals, will
increase as the sample gets harder. Tables are available to make the calculation simple,
while all digital test instruments do it automatically. A typical Vickers hardness is
specified as follows:
356HV0.5
Where 356 are the calculated hardness and 0.5 is the test force in kg.
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Brinell Test Method
All Brinell tests use a carbide ball indenter. The test procedure is as follows:
The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force. The force
is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 - 15 seconds. After the dwell time is
complete, the indenter is removed leaving a round indent in the sample. The size of the
indent is determined optically by measuring two diagonals of the round indent using
either a portable microscope or one that is integrated with the load application device.
The Brinell hardness number is a function of the test force divided by the curved surface
area of the indent. The indentation is considered to be spherical with a radius equal to
half the diameter of the ball. The average of the two diagonals is used in the following
formula to calculate the Brinell hardness. [3]
The Brinell number, which normally ranges from HB 50 to HB 750 for metals, will
increase as the sample gets harder. Tables are available to make the calculation simple.
A typical Brinell hardness is specified as follows:
356HBW
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Where 356 is the calculated hardness and the W indicates that a carbide ball was used.
Note- Previous standards allowed a steel ball and had an S designation. Steel balls are
no longer allowed.
OBJECTIVE
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PROCEDURE
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Indicator → 100 (diamond) ; 130 (ball intender)
15. During total load application :
Laoding navigator → flashing (from outer to inner)
Loading lamps → lighted up
Indicator → rapid to slow count-down (duration time 3 to 60 seconds)
PRECAUTION
1. Both surfaces of the specimens were ensured in flat and positioned securely on
the anvil.
2. The elevating handle was rotated gently during elevation of the anvil. Otherwise
due to abrupt stroke of the indenter tip with the specimen, the indenter may be
destroyed.
3. If the minor load application was in overload condition :
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RESULTS
READING (HRC)
The reading of the Rockwell hardness tester was obtained and recorded. To calculate
the average of the reading, the first, second and the third reading were added together
and divided by 3.
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DISCUSSION
1. The Rockwell Hardness test is a hardness measurement based on the net increase
in depth of impression as a load is applied. The higher the number in each of the
scales means the harder the material. In the other words, the deeper the impression
the softer the material.
I. For steel ball (1/16), steel has the highest reading followed by brass and
aluminium. The results show the depth of the steel is bigger than the brass
and aluminium followed by the intender and the load. All the specimens are
suitable with the indenter. So from the experiment, the mechanical property
of the steel also good compare with brass and aluminium. This scale is
usually used for copper alloys (brass, bronze etc.)
II. For steel ball (1/2) the results show the steel still has the highest reading. The
diamond cone is solely used for tempered or hardened steel and hard metal.
It is not recommendable for steel with solidity below 785 N/mm2.
III. The results show the depth of the steel is bigger than the brass followed
aluminium. It means that the mechanical property of the steel is good
compare with brass according to the indenter. Steel ball penetrator is used for
softer materials. The softer the material the larger should be the diameter of
the ball and / or the smaller should be the total test load. [4]
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3. Hardness values of tested specimens and value from reference sources or
manufacturer’s data are very different based on methods and scales. It is because of
the differences of loads, different shape of indenters, mechanical properties of the
specimens. In laboratory, the material used and the condition of the material affect
the readings. The tables and charts should be considered as giving approximate
equivalents, mostly when converting to a method or scale. An example would be
converting HV/10 or HR-15N value on a thin coating to the HRC equivalent. [5]
4. The importance of this test is it is based on natural materials with the scale
constructed only on the ability of one material. It is also measure the material’s
resistance to localized plastic deformation. Moreover, the precise and exactness of a
hardness test are necessary for the hardness protocol and observance to standards
hardness of a material correlates are directly with its strength, wear resistance and
other properties. [5]
CONCLUSION
By using the Rockwell hardness tester, it is shown that steel is harder than brass and
aluminium. Between brass and aluminium, it shows that brass is harder than aluminium.
For steel ball 1/16 and ½ indenter, steel is the hardest among all the specimens that are
brass and aluminium. For diamond cone intender, steel also the hardest specimen than
brass and aluminium.
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REFERENCES
1) http://www.scribd.com/doc/25963271/Rockwell-Hardness-Test. Access on 22
March 2014, 9:06 pm
2) http://www.instron.us/wa/applications/test_types/hardness/vickers.aspx?ref=http:/
/www.google.com.my/url. Access on 22 March 2014, 9:25 pm
3) http://www.instron.us/wa/applications/test_types/hardness/brinell.aspx?ref=http://
www.google.com.my/url. Access on 22 March 2014 ,9:32pm
4) http://www.hegewald-peschke.com/info-bereich/guidelines-to-hardness-
testing.html#c270 Access on 22 March 2014 ,10:45pm
5) http://www.scribd.com/doc/168547658/Hardness-Test-Lab-Report-pdf Access on
22 March 2014 ,7:47pm
6) http://www.instron.us/wa/applications/test_types/hardness/rockwell.aspx?ref=http
s://www.google.com.my/ Retrieved on 26/03/2014 at 10:26 pm
http://me.aut.ac.ir/staff/solidmechanics/alizadeh/Hardness%20Test.htm retrieved
on 26/03/2014 at 10:28 pm
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