EXPERIMENT 3

HARDNESS TEST
1.INTRODUCTION
Hardness can be defined as resistance to penetration, resistance to abrasion,
resistance to scratching , or resistance to cutting. These are related in that they all
require plastic flow of the material. Hardness can be defined as resistance to
penetration, resistance to abrasion, resistance to scratching , or resistance to
cutting. These are related in that they all require plastic flow of the material.
This experiment will include Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell tests which measure
resistance to penetration. The amount of deformation that occurs when a small,
hard steel ball or diamond point is pressed into a material surface at some
designated load is the measure of the hardness of the material.

BRINELL HARDNESS TEST

The Brinell test for this experiment uses steel ball with different diameters which
is pressed into a specimen by a different load that is maintained for to seconds.
The Brinell hardness number (BHN) is calculated by:

D d
D

2
P
BHN =

(1)

where: P = applied force (kg)

D = diameter of indenter (mm)
d = diameter of indentation (mm)
VICKERS HARDNESS TEST
The Vickers hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a
diamond indenter, in the form of a right pyramid with a square base and an angle
of degrees between opposite faces subjected to a load of to kgf. The full load is
normally applied for to seconds. The two diagonals of the indentation left in the
surface of the material after removal of the load are measured using a microscope
and their average calculated. The area of the sloping surface of the indentation is
calculated. The Vickers hardness is the quotient obtained by dividing the kgf load
by the square mm area of indentation.

2 P sin
VHN =

d2

136
2

(2)

ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST

The penetrators for the Rockwell hardness tester range from -inch diameter steel
balls to very small diamond (brale) tips (points). The smaller points are used for
harder materials that have a greater resistance to indentation. There are various
force scales used for various materials.

HR = E-e

(3)

1.1 OBJECTIVES
1. Make Brinell, Vickers and Rockwell hardness measurements on
different materials specimens.
2. Compare the measurements in hardness with each other.
2. METHODOLOGY
1. The Hardness Test Machine had been properly checked and ready to be
used for the experiment.
2.1 EQUIPMENT
-Hardness test machine (Affri 250 MRS)
2.2MATERIALS

-Specimen of aluminium, brass, stell, and copper

2.3 PROCEDURES
1. The power switch was turned ON.
2. The total load sequence switch was set to the AUTO position in the side panel.
3. The minor load from selector ring was set 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 set by turning the selector knob.
8. The hardness value was read and recorded from the hardness indicator.
9. The elevating handle was turned in the reversed direction to lower the anvil and
the specimen was removed.
10. Step 3 to 19 was repeated for specimens of other methods and specimens.
11. Just one reading was taken from each tested specimen and method.

3.RESULT
TABLE 1: Brinell Hardness test result by using equation (1)

BRINELL RESULT
Diameter of Sphere

Load

Materials
Steel

Ball (mm)
2.5

(kg)
187.5

Copper
Brass
Aluminium

2.5
2.5
2.5

31.25
62.5
31.25

TABLE 2: Vickers Hardness test result by using equation (2)

VICKERS RESULT
Materials
Steel
Copper
Brass
Aluminium

Load(kg)
20
20
20
20

HV
0.23
0.65
0.57
0.61

TABLE 3: Rockwell Hardness test result by using equation (3)

ROCKWELL RESULT
Materials

Rockwell Scale

HR

P/D2 HB(mm)
30
0.61
5
10
5

0.70
0.76
0.67

Steel
Copper
Brass
Aluminium
H = Hardness

RC (diamond)
RF (ball)
RB (diamond)
RB (diamond)

19.2
86.0
103.6
58.2

4.ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

-Hardness test it is a measure of a materials resistance to localized plastic
deformation. It is based on natural materials with a scale constructed solely on the
ability of one material to scratch another that was softer. The precise and
exactness of a hardness test require following strict hardness protocol and
adherence to standards. The other types of hardness test is Durometers & IRHD
Hardness Test, and Leeb rebound hardness test.

-Base from the data all hardness tests, the hardness number of steel is hinger
compare to copper,brass and aluminium. From the result we can assume that mild
steel the hardest specimen.

CONCLUSION
From this experiment, we able to apply their knowledge with different types of
hardness test. Other than that, we can determine the value for all specimens by
calculating it using the formula. From the result, mild steel has the highest

hardness value. This experiment achieves its main objectives and its purpose
which are to determine the suitability of a material for its designed purpose and
also to check the particular treatment the material has received. Student should
know which material is brittle or ductile to determine specific function and will be
easy to choice every material for its proper position.

REFERENCE
1. ASTM E10-08 Standard Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Metallic
Materials.
2. Information about machine and another types of hardness test
http://www.worldoftest.com/hardnesstester.htm
3. More information is on the ISO World Wide Web Site, at
http://www.iso.ch