Yarmouk University

Hijjawi Faculty of Engineering Technology

Industrial Engineering Department
Engineering Material Lab (IE 263)
Experiment No. Hardness test

By AMMAR
Objectives: -

1. To determine the suitability of a material for a given application.

2. Introduce the student with the main three types of the hardness: Brinell, Rockwell and
Vickers
3. To determine the particular treatment to which the material has been subjected.
4. Find the measurements of the hardness for three metals: steel, copper and aluminium
represented by the hardness numbers.
5. To study hardness as a function of quench rate and investigate the hardenability of
steels.

Introduction: -
Hardness is defined as the resistance to indentation or scratching. The material is classified
according to its hardness to softer or harder material depending on the indenter or the
scratcher material. So, hardness is a relative measurement that depends on both testing and
indenting materials. According to the previous definition, if the indenter deforms the tested
material, we can say that the indenter is harder than the tested material and if not, the
indenter is softer than the tested material. In nature, diamond is classified as the hardest
material. For example, both the hardness test and the tensile test measure the resistance of a
metal to plastic flow, and results of these tests may closely be parallel to each other. The
hardness test is preferred because it is simple, easy, and relatively nondestructive.
The measurement of hardness test is classified mainly to three types: -

1. Scratch hardness: - this type is roughly used nowadays, and it depends on using a
diamond. This type is not suitable for metals.
2. Indention hardness: - this type is suitable for metals, and it depends on the indenter
material and shapes. In this type, a static load is applied to the specimen for a period
of time and the indention shape and dimensions are used to calculate the hardness
numbers. Many tests are classified under this type such as: Brinell, Rockwell and
Vickers hardness tests. These tests are the core of this experiment.
3. Rebound or dynamic hardness: - in this type, an indenter is dropped on the tested
material and the hardness is calculated using the impact work results from the impact.
 The importance of hardness comes from the applications where there is a contact between
surfaces such as: -gear teeth contact, ball bearing contact with shaft, cam surface contact with
a follower surface, sewing machines, ..., etc.
Hardness of materials depends on many factors. Generally, we can say that the material is
hard if: -

 It has a large value of young's modulus of elasticity.

 Its surface is polished well.
 The operating condition is at a moderated temperature.

Theoretical Background: -
The most common hardness test methods that are used in today`s industries are.

1) Macro Hardness Testers Loads > 1 kg

Macro hardness has another scientific name called macro indentation hardness testing. It is
the measurement of the value of the hardness of the sample object with the application of
heavy loads. Macro hardness is the easy and fast procedure to get data related to mechanical
properties of bulk materials of the same category with the help of a small sample.
 Brinell hardness test
 Rockwell hardness test
 Vickers hardness test
1.1 Brinell Hardness Number (BHN): -
In Brinell test, a ball indenter of diameter (D) is pushed inside the tested material as
illustrated in Fig.1.

Fig.1. Brinell Test.

The Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) is calculated by dividing the load over the surface area
of the indention:
 P P
BH = = =Pa (8.1)
( πD /2 ) ( D−√ D −d
2 2
) πDt

Where: -
P: the applied load (kg)
D: the indenter diameter (mm)
d: the indention diameter (mm)
t: the depth of the impression (mm)

1.2 Rockwell Hardness Number (RHN): -

This type of testing is performed using a direct method to calculate the hardness number. In
this test, a ball can be used to indent the specimen as in the Brinell test or a 120 o sphero-
conical diamond indenter as illustrated in Fig.2.

Fig.2. Rockwell Test

There are 30 different Rockwell scales, defined by the combination of the indenter and minor
and major loads. The majority of applications are covered by the Rockwell C and B scales
for testing steel, brass, and other materials. Table 1. shows the scale, major load and the type
of indenter for the most common Rockwell hardness tests. In this Lab, the value of RHN is
taken from the device directly.

Table 1. Rockwell tests scaling system.

Scale Major load ( ) Type of indenter

4
 1.3 Vickers Hardness Number (VHN): -
The Vickers hardness test uses a square base diamond pyramid as the indenter. The included
angle between the opposite faces of the pyramid is l36° as illustrated in Fig.3. The Vickers
hardness tester operates on the same basic principle as the Brinell tester, the numbers being
expressed in the terms of load and area of the impression. As a result of the indenter’s shape,
the impression on the surface of the specimen will be a square. The length of the diagonal of
the square is measured through a microscope fitted with an ocular micrometer that contains
movable knife-edges. The Vickers hardness values are calculated by the formula:

2 P sin ( θ /2 ) 1.854 P
VH = 2
= 2
L L

P
VH =1.854
A
Where: -
P: the applied load (kg)
L: the average length of the diagonals (mm)
θ: the angle between the opposite faces of the diamond = 136o
A = the area of the indentation measured in square millimeters (mm2).

Fig.3. Vickers hardness test

2) Micro Hardness Testers < 1 k

Micro hardness testing also called micro indentation is a procedure of measuring the
hardness of the material (metals, ceramics metals and composites).
The microhardness test usually refers to static indentations made with loads not exceeding 1
kgf. The indenter is either the Vickers diamond pyramid or the Knoop elongated diamond
pyramid. The procedure for testing is very similar to that of the standard Vickers hardness
test, except that it is done on a microscopic scale with higher precision instruments. The
surface being tested generally requires a metallographic finish; the smaller the load used, the
higher the surface finish required.

 Knoop hardness test

 Vickers diamond pyramid
 2.1 Knoop hardness: -
This test method uses lower indentation pressures than the Vickers hardness test, which had
been designed for measuring metals, the Knoop test is suitable for hardness testing of brittle
materials such as glass and ceramics. A diamond indenter is employed in the Knoop test of
an elongated four-sided pyramid, with the angle between two of the opposite faces being
approximately 170º and the angle between the other two being 130º. A Pressing load of less
than one kilogram-force is applied. The final Knoop hardness (HK) is calculated using
equation.
P
HK =14.229
A

Fig. 4. Knoop Hardness Test

Table 2. Hardness testing techniques.

Table 3. Brinell vs Rockwell Hardness Test
Brinell Hardness Test Rockwell Hardness Test

For Rockwell Hardness Test the Indenter is a

In Brinell Hardness Test the indenter is a
Small Steel Ball (HRB) or a diamond cone
spherical Tungsten Carbide Ball
(HRC)

Hardness greater than 650 HB cannot be There is no such limitation in Rockwell hardness
measured with this setup. testing

Brinell hardness Test measures the

Depth of indentation is measured for calculating
diameter of the indentation to calculate the
Rockwell hardness.
hardness value.

The Brinell hardness testing method is a

Rockwell hardness testing is a Quicker process.
comparatively slow method.

Surface preparation is required for Brinell No surface preparation is required for Rockwell
hardness testing. hardness testing.

Comparatively costly Cheaper option

Experimental Procedures: -
Before mentioning the experimental procedures, there is a simple note that must be taken in
consideration which is: there are two types of loads that must be applied in these types of
tests which are the minor and the major loads. A minor load is required to establish a zero-
datum position where the major load is responsible for making the impression.

1. Select the hardness test methods.

2. Prepare the specimen (cylindrical medium carbon steel bar with a 25 mm. diameter
and 100 mm).
3. Turn on the machine.
4. Place the test specimen on the anvil.
5. Move the indenter down into position on the part surface.
6. A minor load is applied, and a zero-reference position is established.
7. Select a load using the control screen of the machine.
8. The major load is applied for a specified time (10 to 15 seconds) beyond zero.
9. The major load is released, leaving the minor load applied.
10. After the dwell time is complete, remove the indenter, leaving a round indent in the
specimen.
11. 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.
12. Repeat the process to determine the hardness of the specimen after Hardenability.
13. Compare the results.
 Fig. 6. THUS-250 Universal Hardness Tester.

Collected Data: -

Table 4. collected data.

Rockwell and Brinell

Impression
Force
Indenter Reading diameter
( )
(mm)

Ball

Conical

Conical

Vickers

Dimension
Diagonal
(mm)

1st

2nd
Hardness vs. Hardenability: -
The hardenability of a steel is defined as the property which determines the depth and
distribution of hardness induced by quenching from the austenitic condition. The dependence
of hardness upon quenching rate can be understood from the time-temperature-
transformation characteristics of steel, and, for a particular steel. A part may be hardened by
quenching into water, oil, or other suitable medium. The surface of the part is cooled rapidly,
resulting in high hardness, whereas the interior cools more slowly and is not hardened. the
hardness does not vary linearly from the outside to the center. Hardenability refers to
capacity of hardening (depth) rather than to maximum attainable hardness. The hardenability
of a steel depends on:
1- the composition of the steel
2- the austenitic grain size
3- the structure of the steel before quenching.
In general, hardenability increases with carbon content and with alloy content. The most
important factor influencing the maximum hardness that can be obtained is mass of the
metal being quenched. In a small section, the heat is extracted quickly, thus exceeding the
critical cooling rate of the specific steel and this part would thus be completely martensitic.
The critical cooling rate is that rate of cooling which must be exceeded to prevent formation
of no martensite products. As section size increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to
extract the heat fast enough to exceed the critical cooling rate and thus avoid formation of no
martensitic products. Hardenability of all steels is directly related to critical cooling rates.

Procedure: -
A specimen of medium carbon steel machined which was used before. ( It is a cylindrical
bar with a 25 mm. diameter and 100 mm. length). The specimen is placed in the furnace at
900 °C for about 1/2 hour. The water flow rate is adjusted so that the water column is
approximately the distance 50 mm above the end of the pipe, when water is flowing freely.
After the sample has been austenitized, it is removed from the furnace and placed directly
into the quenching apparatus. A jet of water is quickly splashed at one end of the specimen.
After the entire sample has cooled to room temperature, the scale oxidation is removed; two
opposite and flat parallel surfaces are ground along the length of the bar. Hardness
measurements are then made every 2 mm and these readings are recorded.
 Specimens

Fig.5. Jominy End -Quench apparatus

Results: -

Table 4. results
Hardness number Value

RHN (scale A)

RHN (scale B)

RHN (scale C)

BHN

VHN

Conclusion: -
Hardness testing plays an important role when designing devices and products, we need the
data to verify the heat treatment, structural integrity, and quality of components, to determine
if a material has the properties necessary for its intended applications.

References: -
1- Harry Chandler, (1999). Hardness Testing, ASM International, 2nd Edition, ISBN: 978-
0-87170-640-9. [2] Ref: http://www.mee-inc.com/microhar.htm
2- ASM International, Hardness Testing, 2nd Edition, 06671G.
3- http://www.gordonengland.co.uk/
4- Metals Handbook, 9th ed., Mechanical Testing, Vol. 8, 1990.
5- N. Dowling, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Prentice Hall, 1993