Report Title: Hardness Test

INTRODUCTION

Rockwell hardness Test

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

Fo= preliminary minor load in kgf

F1= additional major load in kgf

F = total load in kgf

e= permanent increase in depth of penetration due to major load F1 measured in units of

0.002 mm

E= a constant depending on form of indenter: 100 units for diamond indenter, 130units
for steel ball indenter HR = Rockwell hardness number

D= diameter of steel ball

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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]

HV = Constant x test force / indent diagonal square.

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

1. To determine the hardness of various engineering materials using Rockwell

hardness test.
2. To develop an understanding of suitable scale for hardness test specimens.
3. To determine the suitability of a material or particular treatment to which the
material has been subjected.
4. To investigate the hardness of a sample piece of tool steel, aluminum and brass
using two different test methods.

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PROCEDURE

1. The power switch was turned ON.

2. The total load sequence switch was setted to the AUTO position in the side
panel.
3. The minor load from selector ring was setted to S (Rockwell Superficial) or R
(Rockwell).
4. Table 1 was referred for selecting a desired indenter.
5. The indenter was fixed.
6. The specimen was placed on the anvil.
7. The total load value was setted by turning the selector knob.
8. Preparation was completed :
Loading navigator → rapidly flashing (from outer to inner)
Indicator → 100 (diamond indenter) ; 130 (ball indenter)
9. The minor load was applied by raising the anvil by rotating clockwise the
elevating handle slowly until the tip of indenter touched the specimen.
10. During minor load application
Loading navigator → slowly flashing (from outer to inner)
11. When the hardness indicator displayed as below, the handle was stopped
operation.
Indicator → 620 to 640 (Rockwell Superficial) ; 360 to 370 (Rockwell)
12. After applied appropriate minor load, minor load application was completed.
Loading navigator → 4 LEDs light up
13. The START switch was pressed. The measurement process was automatically
performed from step 14-17.
14. Presentting :
Indicator → 4 LEDs lighted up
Loading lamp → lighted up

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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)

16. During total load was removed :

Laoding navigator → flashing (from inner to outer)
Loading lamps → lighted up
Indicator → rapid count –up
17. Measurement was completed :
Indicator → hardness value dispalyed
OK/NG lamps → OK lighted up
18. The hardness value was read and recorded from the hardness indicator.
19. The elevating handle was turned in the reversed direction to lower the anvil and
removed the specimen.
20. Step 3 to 19 was repeated for specimens of other methods and specimens.
21. Five readings on each test specimen and method (refer table 2) was taken.

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 :

Loading navigator → 4 LEDS lighted up; indicator → AAAA; overloading lamp →

lighted up

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 RESULTS

READING (HRC)

SCALE SPECIMEN 1 2 3 AVERAGE

BRASS 67.7 68.7 67.3 67.9

STEEL BALL ALUMINIUM 56.1 55.3 56.7 56.0

(1/16) STEEL 76.1 76.3 76.7 76.4

BRASS 93.3 93.3 93.7 93.4

STEEL BALL ALUMINIUM 91.9 92.5 92.9 92.4

(1/2) STEEL 94.9 95.3 95.1 95.1

BRASS 33.9 38.1 37.9 36.6

DIAMOND ALUMINIUM 20.9 22.7 21.3 21.6

CONE
STEEL 46.3 48.3 46.9 47.2

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.

𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 1+𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 2 ?𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 3

Average =
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]

2. Hardness test is needed to perform in engineering practice because it is a simple

test and does not need high cost to perform the test. Furthermore, this test is non-
destructive. It does not need any special specimen and testing apparatus is low-cost
comparative to direct measurement of many properties. Also, it is widely used in
USA because its speed, freedom from personal error, ability to distinguish small
hardness difference, can be used for a very wide range of materials and has small
size of indentation. The Rockwell Test is used for materials that are beyond the
capabilities of the Brinell Test and Rockwell Hardness Number is shown on the
machine if returns faster and more accurate hardness numbers. [5]

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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.

Hardness test is very important in engineering study as it is a measure of a material’s

resistance to localized plastic deformation. Furthermore, from the hardness data, other
mechanical properties can be estimated such as tensile strength. Moreover, in
engineering practice, it is a vital to test most materials before they are accepted for
processing, and before they are put in to use to determine whether they meet the
specifications required or not, so hardness test is used to determine it. Due to these
importances of this test in engineering practice, students should learn this test properly.
[6]

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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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