IIST, Department of Aerospace Engineering

Abstract
[Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a mate-
rial to permanent deformation (i.e. plastic deforma-
tion).Hardness of a material is dependent on vari-
ous factors like strength, ductility, toughness, strain.
There are three main types of hardness measure-
ments: scratch, indentation, and rebound. Brinell
Hardness Test is one of them. It is used to find in-
dentation hardness of a material. The theory and
procedure of the test are discussed in this report.
Measurement of indentation hardness of a material
can be used to identify tensile strength of a mate-
rial.] Figure 1: Schematic sketch of Brinell Hardness Tester

where
1 Introduction BHN = Brinell Hardness Number (kgf /mm2 )
F = applied load in kilogram-force (kgf )
Brinell Hardness Test is an indentation Hardness
D = diameter of indenter (mm)
test. Indentation hardness measures the resistance of
d = diameter of indentation (mm)
a metal surface to indention when subjected to pres-
sure by a hard pointed or rounded tool. It is based on
measuring the dimensions of an indentation left by a
dimensioned and loaded indenter. This test is first
proposed by swedish engineer Johan August Brinell.
1.2 Objective
1.1 Theory To find the Brinell hardness number for
The Brinell hardness test method consists of in- Cast iron specimen
denting the test material with a 5 mm or 10 mm
diameter hardened steel or carbide ball subjected to Aluminium specimen
a load of 500 kgf - 3000 kgf . The diameter of the
indentation left in the test material is measured with
a low powered microscope. 2 Materials and Methods
The Brinell hardness number is defined as the load 2.1 Apparatus Required
applied in testing in kilograms divided by the spher-
ical area of indentation produced in the material in 1. Brinell Hardness Tester
square millimeters. It can be calculated using the Model - B3000
formula. Load range is - 500 kgf to 3000 kgf
Maximum Test Height - 410 mm
2F Throat Depth - 200 mm
BHN =
D(D D2 d2 ) Power Supply - 220 volts, 3 phase

1
 Indenter - Hardened Steel Ball 10 mm/ Dia- 2. Aluminium Specimen
mond 5 mm Applied Load = 500 kgf
Minor load = 250 kgf
Major Load = 250 kgf
2. Optical Microscope Indenter Diameter = 10 mm
25 fold magnification with lighting Indentation Diameter = 2.5 mm
Least count - 0.1 mm

3. Test Specimen 3.2 Calculations

Cast Iron Specimen 1. BHN for Cast Iron Specimen : 142.56
Aluminium specimen
2. BHN for Aluminium Specimen : 100.24
2.2 Procedure
Make the specimen surface clean by removing 4 Discussion
dust, dirt and grease etc.

Keep the specimen on the anvil and make the Material Practical value Theoretical value Deviation
specimen surface get in contact with indenter Cast Iron 142.56 150 4.96%
with the help of hand wheel. Aluminium 100.24 100 0.24%

Place the loads, turn on the machine and wait 4.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of
till the loads are settled.
the test
Change the lever position from A to B. 4.1.1 Advantages
Wait till the needle on the dial is stabilized. The Brinell tests a wider sample of material.
After the needle is stabilized, bring back the Brinell hardness test is less influenced by sur-
lever position to A and turn off the machine. face scratches and roughness than other hardness
tests.
Measure the diameter of the indentation using
microscope. Different loads are used to cover a wide range of
hardness of metals.
Calculate the Brinell hardness number by using
the formula and compare them with theoretical BHN can be converted into tensile strength.
values.
Indentation made during the test can be ob-
served under microscope.
3 Results
4.1.2 Disadvantages
3.1 Observations Parallax error shouldnt be there while observing
1. Cast Iron Specimen the specimen under microscope.
Applied Load = 3000 kgf We can test only flat surfaces.
Minor load = 250 kgf
Major Load = 2750 kgf The test is unsuitable for materials whose hard-
Indenter Diameter = 10 mm ness exceeds 500 HB, as the ball indenter tends
Indentation Diameter = 5 mm to flatten.

2
 Small or thin walled specimen cannot be tested,
as the indentation will be large.

5 Conclusion
The hardness of a material is directly proportional
to BHN i.e. higher the BHN value, harder the mate-
rial.The deviation from theoretical value may be due
to parallax error.

6 References
1. ASTM E10 - 08 Standard Test Method for
Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials.
2. ISO 6506-1:2005 Metallic materials - Brinell
hardness test - Part 1: Test method.
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinells cale.http :
//www.scribd.com/doc/18004150/Hardness
Report?autodown = pdf.