Cvl-231

Lab report 3
(Hardness test)
F5
Name I.D Major

Maryam Alqallaf 53434 Civil Engineering

Mariam Alshllahi 52020 Civil Engineering
Sarah Alheelaa 47464 Civil Engineering
Abstract
This lab aims to utilize the Brinell and Rockwell testing equipment to determine the

hardness of various steel specimens, including 1020, 1040, and 1090. An indenter is

driven into the surface of the sample material by these devices, and the stronger the

material, the smaller the indentation. The equivalent HB as Brinell and HR as

Rockwell is obtained once the indentation measurements are taken. The material's

tensile strength is then measured with the Hardness Test Nomograph. The exact

approach is used using HB and HR readings collected from the lab professor, except

for certain extraneous numbers. We can identify each of the three specimens based on

the statistics, with 1090 steel being the strongest and 1020 steel being the weakest.

The carbon concentration of a material determines its total strength, the more carbon

present, the greater the overall strength. Graphs displaying various relationships with

the carbon content of the material are developed as a result of this. We can observe a

link between steel carbon content and tensile strength in the graphs: the higher the

carbon content, the higher the tensile strength.

Tables Contents
Abstract .......................................................................................................2
Introduction .................................................................................................4
Theory .........................................................................................................6
Experimental procedures ............................................................................9
Skilful operation........................................................................................12
Safety procedures ......................................................................................13
Result and discussion ................................................................................14
Conclusion ................................................................................................19
Recommendation ......................................................................................20
Reference ..................................................................................................21
Appendix ...................................................................................................22
Introduction
The capacity of a material to sustain localized permanent deformation, commonly by

indentation, is characterized by its hardness. It is considered one of the most basic

mechanical qualities of engineering materials. An object's hardness and resistance

have a direct connection. The resistance is proportional to the hardness.

Microstructure, grain size, and strain hardening are all factors that affect hardness.

The hardness test is the most typically used test for evaluating the mechanical

properties of metals and other materials. It determines the resistance of a material

expression to permeant deformation. The hardness test is used to establish a material's

compatibility for a specific application, conforming to a specification, standard, or

specific treatment that the material has undergone, such as heat treatment or a thermal

process. Hardness is important because it indicates how well a material will withstand

pressure. This affects how the material is utilized and how much pressure it can

sustain.

As a result, evaluating hardness is a standard practice in most quality control

procedures across a wide range of industries, including offshore, pipelines, oil and

gas, structural, manufacturing, nuclear, power generation, and much more. Brinell and

Rockwell hardness tests are the two most often utilized hardness tests. Both tests are

similar in terms of how they are performed, but they differ in terms of how the

hardness number is measured and calculated. For both tests, the indenter's force and

diameter are known. Brinell measures the diameter of the indenter impression,

whereas Rockwell measures the height of the indenter impression. The Brinell test is
mostly used on inhomogeneous materials like forgings and castings, especially cast

iron. Regular and superficial hardness are the two categories of the Rockwell test.

The Rockwell, regular hardness test is performed when any of the indenters and the

three greatest indenting forces (150 Kgf, 100 Kgf, and 60 Kgf) are utilized.

Meanwhile, any indenters and the three smallest forces are used in the Rockwell

superficial hardness test (45kgf,30kgf,15kgf). Both ferrous and nonferrous materials,

which have been annealed, hardened, case hardened, or tempered, are subjected to the

Rockwell test. Overall, these tests are categorized as non-destructive testing (NDT),

which means they will not permanently damage the material's integrity. Instead, they

leave a permanent indentation on the material's surface. Three specimens are tested

for hardness in our lab. The goal of this lab is to learn how to operate and comprehend

the Brinell and Rockwell hardness testing machines, as well as to calculate the

hardness of a material based on the size of the indentation. We must also learn how to

read a nomograph in order to calculate the material's tensile strength from the

hardness number received. This lab also illustrated how to determine the material type

based on a preliminary estimate of strength.

Theory
The resistance of a metal to permanent (plastic) deformation is measured by its

hardness. An indenter is pressed into the metal's surface to determine its hardness.

The indenter, which is often a ball, pyramid, or cone, is formed of a considerably

harder substance than the material being tested. A known force is given slowly to

most routine hardness tests by pushing the indenter at 90 degrees into the metal

surface being tested. The indenter is removed from the surface once the indentation

has been formed. Based on the cross-sectional area and depth of the indentation, an

empirical hardness number is then derived or read off a dial (or digital display). The

Brinell and Rockwell techniques are the most extensively used and utilized in

engineering procedures.

Brinell hardness test:

The Brinell hardness test measures the hardness of materials by pressing a steel ball or

tungsten carbide ball on the surface of the specimen for 10 to 15 seconds with a

standard force of P (kgf). The typical and most widely used method, especially with

metals, is to employ a single indenter 10 mm ball with applied stress of 3000 (kgf).

When the pressure is removed, the indentation d (mm) diameter will be measured.

The hardness number is obtained using the diameter of the indentation. The higher the

BHN or HB of a material, the harder Brinell Hardness Number is. Brinell tests are

beneficial for castings and forgings with rough surfaces or chemical variations. By

dividing the magnitude of the applied load by the surface area of the spherical

indentation A [mm2], the Brinell hardness number HB is produced. Because the base

area of Brinell indents is usually not quite round, the arithmetic mean (d) of the two
perpendicular diagonals (d1 and d2 in mm) is used to compute the surface area of the

remaining spherical indentation.

2𝑃
𝐻𝐵 =
𝜋𝐷[𝐷 − √𝐷2 − 𝑑 2 ]

Rockwell hardness test:

Depending on the hardness of the materials, a diamond cone or a hard steel ball is

used as the indenter in the Rockwell test. Hard materials are tested with a diamond

cone or Brule indenter with a cone angle of 120o, while softer materials are tested

with balls ranging in size from 1.6 mm (1/16") to 12.7 mm (1/2"). Rockwell tests vary

from other indentation hardness tests in that the hardness is determined by the depth

of indentation rather than the size of the depression. Because of the heavy reliance on

the accuracy of indentation depth measurements, the surface quality of specimens is

particularly crucial in Rockwell testing. A small force of 10 kg is applied during the

Rockwell test to seat the indenter on the surface. The indenter is then forced to pierce

the specimen by a considerable (extra) load. One of the standard loads must be equal

to the total of the applied loads. The depth of penetration is then calculated and turned

into a hardness value.

The hardness Nomograph:
The Hardness Nomograph is a graph used to calculate tensile strength from a

measured hardness number.

The carbon and the hardness:

Carbon is by far the most common commercial steel alloy. Increased carbon content

enhances hardenability and boosts hardness and strength. Steel has a better overall

strength when it has a higher carbon content. On the other hand, carbon increases

brittleness and lowers weldability because of its inclination for forming martensite. As

a result, the carbon content in commercial steel may be both a benefit and a burden.
Experimental procedures

• The hardness test machine.

• Specimens

Our lab section was charged with identifying three different steel specimens,

each with a red, blue, or green marking. We knew there were three steel

specimens; 1020, 1040, and 1090, but we didn't know which one was which.

• Indenter

Pre-lab preparations
• Read the hardness lab slides and notes and make sure you understand them.

• Do background research on the hardness test subject

 • Learn how to determine the tensile strength of a material using the

Nomograph.

• Understand how to compute the hardness number.

1. Set the Hardness testing machine on the desired test Brinell or Rockwell.

2. Fix the appropriate indenter based on the test

3. Adjust the height of the test table using the lower Handwheel.

4. Start the experiment.

5. After the indenter finish on the sample, we have different procedures and results for

the Brinell and Rockwell tests.

For the Brinell test: We use the microscope to measure the diameter d on both

sides, then use the BHN equation (Brinell Hardness Number).

For the Rockwell test: The height difference between the initial contact and

the ultimate indentation point on the sample will be measured (the depth of the

indentation).

6. After computing the Hardness Number, we utilize the Nomograph to evaluate the

sample's tensile strength and, if applicable, identify it. (ksi to MPa conversion)

7. Calculate the following if there are a lot of Hardness numbers for various trials or

locations on the sample.:

• Average of Hardness Number.

 • Standard Division(SD).

• Average HN – SD

• Average HN + SD

• The Final Average of the hardness number after removing any

values above or below the range from c and d.(this is the average

you will use to estimate the tensile strength).

8. 8. For each sample and each test, plot HN (Y-axis) against Carbon percent and

Tensile Strength (Y-axis) versus Carbon percent. (This varies depending on the

sample's material).

Skilful operation
• Don't do hardness testing too near to indentations that have already been

produced. (testing too near to past indentations will result in an incorrectly

high value).

• • Take numerous measurements and average them for the most accurate

results.

• Draw a circle on the sample using your pen, making sure that the indentation

occurs inside the circle borders so that you don't waste time searching for it.

• Before starting the test, check that the specimen is positioned beneath the

indenter.

• Make sure that you Don't perform hardness testing too near to the specimen's

edge. The outside edges of the device may bend, resulting in an inaccurate

"soft" reading.
 • Raise the sample by twisting the handwheel until it comes into contact with

the indenter (2mm or when the spacing between them just allows the passage

of a paper sheet).

• Make sure that the testing surface is clean

• Make sure that the diameter of the ball is chosen such that the indent covers

the largest possible area of the workpiece – indicative of the specimen.

• To change the focus, use the focus level while simultaneously raising the

sample with the handwheel until you see a clear picture.

• Make sure that the specimen that do not have too many indentations and it

should be as clear as possible.

• Before you start the experiment check that the two line on the microscope are

on top of each other in order to zero the microscope out .

Safety procedures

• Make sure the lab professor is present at all times when you're doing

experiments.

• Make sure you're wearing your safety glasses, which should be worn in all lab

areas.

• Open-toed shoes, sandals, and high heels are not allowed.

• Try not to test the hardness of your own or other people.

• • When using the Rockwell/Brinell hardness tester, be sure to use protective

clothes such a lab coat and gloves.

Result and discussion

The experimental results:

From the assignment sheet, display the computations for each of the steel specimens

(1020, 1040, and 1090). The average and standard deviation are determined for each

steel based on the data points given. Data points that fall beyond the standard

deviation range for the average are removed. After that, a new average hardness

number is computed, and the tensile strength is determined using a nomograph.

 Table #1. Calculation for the 1020 steel sample.
Data Analysis of Red Sample
BHN HRB HR45T
Avg. 127.36 80.55 53.64
Std. Dev. 15.06 5.82 5.84
Avg. + SD 142.42 86.37 59.48
Avg. - SD 112.30 74.73 47.80
Final Avg. 127.66 78.75 55.33
Tensile Strength ksi 62.5 70 76
Tensile Strength MPa 430.92 482.63 524.00

Table #2. Calculation for the 1040 steel sample.

Data Analysis of Blue Sample

BHN HRB HR45T

Avg. 178.09 88.00 60.45

Std. Dev. 18.48 2.53 6.55

Avg. + SD 196.57 90.53 67.00

Avg. - SD 159.61 85.47 53.90

Final Avg. 168.125 88.00 60.86

Tensile Strength ksi 81.00 85.00 85.00

Tensile Strength MPa 558.48 586.05 586.05

 Table #3. Calculation for the 1090 steel sample.

Data Analysis of Green Sample

BHN HRB HR45T

Avg. 196.36 93.27 70.09

Std. Dev. 15.68 2.57 4.25

Avg. + SD 212.04 95.84 74.34

Avg. - SD 180.68 90.70 65.84

Final Avg. 187.50 92.60 69.50

Tensile Strength ksi 90.00 97.50 105.00

Tensile Strength MPa 620.52 672.23 723.94

Table #4.
Color of Brinell Test Rockwell test Identify
Steel Specimen
sample Indentation HB # Tensile Regular Superficial (1020, 1040
tag Diameter, d Strength, or 1090)
HB # Tensile HB # Tensile
T, ksi Strength, Strength,
T, ksi T, ksi

Red 5.26 127.66 62.5 78.75 70 55.33 76 Low carbon

steel(1020)
Blue 4.63 168.09 81.00 88.00 85.00 60.86 85.00 Medium
carbon
steel91040)
Green 4.40 187.50 90.00 92.60 97.50 69.50 105.00 High carbon
steel (1090)
-That is because he higher the carbon concentration, the higher the hardness and

strength of steel.

Graph
Two charts showing the link between the hardness numbers of the three samples from

the three tests and the carbon content were constructed using the prior tables. The

second graph depicts the connection between the carbon content and the measured

tensile strength of the three samples from the three tests. The higher the carbon

content, the higher the hardness number and tensile strength, as seen in these graphs.
Discission:
Each of the steel components is put through 3 different tests in our lab, utilizing two

different equipment. The Brinell Test (load 3000 kgf) and the Rockwell Test were

utilized as testing machines and loads (loads 100kgf and 150 kgf).

Even though both the Brinell and Rockwell tests can determine the hardness of a

material, there are some distinctions between the two. The Brinell test uses a sphere

with a diameter of 10 millimeters as an indenter. When the load is applied, the

indentation diameter is measured, and the Brinell hardness number HB # may be

calculated from this measured diameter. The indenters used in the Rockwell Test

might be formed like a sphere or a cone. The depth of the penetration is measured

once the indentation is produced. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the

"hardness" of three steel specimens (1020, 1040, and 1090) and determine which

material is which based on the results. The results of the two tests are used to establish

this. The diameter and depth of the indentation are measured after it is formed to

generate a hardness number. As a result, we collected the hardness values of 1020,

1040, and 1090 steel samples using the three tests described above: normal Brinell,

Rockwell B, and Rockwell T45, then entered them into an Excel spreadsheet. The

averages and standard deviations are derived from this data using Excel's built-in

capabilities. The standard deviations are added and subtracted from the corresponding

average to get a correct range. Outliers are defined as data measurements that fall

outside this range and are eliminated. New averages are then generated for each steel

from each machine using the remaining hardness measurements. The tensile strength

is calculated using a nomograph after getting the total hardness values as a final
average value for each steel specimen (three tests for three separate pieces). The

Brinell hardness test is performed with the "HB" column, the Rockwell B Test with

the "HRB" column, and the Rockwell 45T-Test with the "HR45T" column.

Then, after determining the tensile strength of the steel samples, two plots were

created: one shows the relationship between the Brinell and Rockwell hardness

number vs. the carbon content, and the second shows the relationship between the

tensile strength vs. the carbon content.

As a result, the identification of the steel specimens is determined by comparing the

measured tensile strength of the samples obtained from the tests and determining

whether one sample is stronger than the other. We can tell which steel specimen is for

which shade based on the observed tensile strength. Because there is a clear

association between tensile strength and carbon content in steel, we can identify the

identification of the steel samples after analyzing their tensile strength. The bigger the

quantity of carbon in a steel sample, the greater the tensile strength.

Conclusion
In conclusion, we discovered how to do multiple sorts of hardness tests using different

equipment and loads, as well as how to read a nomograph to calculate the

approximate tensile strength of the material as a result of this experiment. We can also

determine the material properties of unknown samples. We established that the green

steel had the highest tensile strength, followed by the blue steel and then the red steel.

Consequently, we were able to identify that the green steel is 1090, the blue steel is

1040, and the red steel is 1020.

Recommendation
• To avoid mistakes, the experiment should be carried out properly and with

well-calibrated instruments.

• It is recommended to get the hardness number straight from the machine for

future experiments. It aims to promote the accuracy of the analysis.

• Before performing the hardness test, double-check that the indenter is free of

chipped or fractured diamonds.

• It is recommended that you verify the hardness of a test block before running a

test for better accuracy.

Reference

• Vostok-7.Ru. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2022, from https://vostok-

7.ru/upload/iblock/fd3/fd3e07d8aed1f1effbb9c077b074efdd.pdf

• Syairah, S. (2017, November 1). Experiment 3 hardness test. Academia.edu.

Retrieved April 23, 2022, from
https://www.academia.edu/35005783/Experiment_3_Hardness_Test

• Standard test method for Brinell hardness of metallic materials. ASTM

International - Standards Worldwide. (n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2022, from
https://www.astm.org/e0010-08.html

• Guest. (n.d.). Hardness test lab report.pdf. pdfcoffee.com. Retrieved April 23,
2022, from https://pdfcoffee.com/hardness-test-lab-reportpdf-pdf-free.html

• Brinnell : DIN 50351, ASTM E 10-73, BS 240: Parti: 1961, TS 189

• Hardness test. studylib.net. (2016, April 25). Retrieved April 23, 2022, from
https://studylib.net/doc/8104927/hardness-test

• Process development for the laser powder bed fusion of wc ... (n.d.). Retrieved
April 22, 2022, from
https://ceramics.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijac.13988

• Mehdizade, S. (2014, May 29). Hardness. Academia.edu. Retrieved April 23,

2022, from https://www.academia.edu/7194807/Hardness
Appendix
Raw data
 Appendix (Nomenclatures)

Symbol

SD Standard deviation

HR Rockwell hardness number

HB Brinell hardness number

p Test loud

D Sphere diameter

t The depth of the penetration

𝑥̅ The average

d Indentation diameter
Appendix
Sample calculations

• the Hardness number (HRB)

𝐻𝑅𝐵 = 130 − 500 (𝑡)

For example, calculating the hardness number for:

The red tag sample= 130 – 500 (0.108) =76
The blue tag sample = 130 – 500 (0.08) =90
The green tag sample = 130 – 500 (0.075) =92.5

• the average value(𝒙ഥ):

∑𝑥
𝑥̅ =
𝑛

ഥ) for:
For example, calculating the (avg) (𝒙
131+135+103+131+143+143+114+143+121+103+134
The red tag sample (𝑥̅ ) = 11

=127.36
162+162+170+197+163+170+187+163+207+209+169
The blue tag sample (𝑥̅ ) = 11

=178.09
186+183+187+198+188+223+186+186+218+219+186
The green tag sample (𝑥̅ ) = 11

=196.36

• The standard deviation (SD)

(𝑥 − 𝑥̅ )2
𝑆𝐷 = √
𝑛

For example, calculating the (SD) for:

 The first column of the red sample 𝑆𝐷 =
2(131−12.36)2 +(135−12.36)2 +2(103−12.36)2 +3(143−12.36)2 +(114−12.36)2 +(121−12.36)2 +(134−12.36)2
√ =
11
15.06
• The diameter indentation
2𝑃
𝐻𝐵 =
𝜋𝐷[𝐷 − √𝐷2 − 𝑑 2 ]

For example, calculating the (d) for:

The red tag sample:
𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 127.67 ∴ 𝑑 = 5.26 𝑚𝑚

The bule tag sample:

𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 168.25 ∴ 𝑑 = 81 𝑚𝑚
The green tag sample:
𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 187.5 ∴ 𝑑 = 4.4 𝑚𝑚