Rockwell Hardness

Dating from ~1914

- Indentation made using
indenters of varying material
and shape

- Loads vary up to ~150kg

- Measurement based on depth

of penetration

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Rockwell Hardness – Scales

Rockwell hardness scales with the corresponding indenter type,

applied forces and typical applications#
#From NIST SP960-5 Rockwell Measurement of Metallic Materials, 2001
Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler
Rockwell Hardness – Scales

Superficial Rockwell hardness scales with the corresponding indenter

type, applied forces and typical applications#
#From NIST SP960-5 Rockwell Measurement of Metallic Materials, 2001
Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler
Rockwell Scale Selection
30 different scales available, each with different combinations of
load and indenter.

Select scale on the basis of:

• Material type
• Specimen thickness
• Minimum of 10x depth of penetration by diamond indenter
• 15x depth of penetration by ball indenter
• Available area
• 2½ x indent width to edge (AND at least 1mm from edge for ISO6508)
• Relationship between material features and measurement requirements
• Limitations to applicability for each range

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Rockwell Scale – limits of use

Recommendations for limits to various scales (ISO 6508)

A Rockwell testing of tungsten carbide commonly produces hardness values above 88 HRA
B Rockwell B scale testing is sometimes made on materials in the range of 0 to 20 HRB.

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Rockwell Hardness - Test Process
Return to Read
Select indenter
preliminary difference in
and load
load (dwell) position (h).

Prepare Apply Major

surface load (dwell)

Fixture Apply
specimen (flat preliminary
and stable) load (dwell)

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Rockwell Hardness – calculation
݄
Conical diamond indenter, Regular Rockwell ‫ ܴܪ‬ൌ ͳͲͲ െ
ͲǤͲͲʹ݉݉

݄
Ball indenter, Regular Rockwell ‫ ܴܪ‬ൌ ͳ͵Ͳ െ
ͲǤͲͲʹ݉݉

݄
All Superficial Rockwell (diamond and ball) ‫ ܴܪ‬ൌ ͳͲͲ െ
ͲǤͲͲͳ݉݉

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Rockwell Hardness - Advantages

• Hardness values are obtained without optical

Main reading
• Quick and easy
Advantages: • Less susceptibility to operator variability
• Less influenced by surface roughness

Main • Many different scales are required, with

Limitation: varying indenters and loads

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler

Common Problems
Rockwell
Main sources of error:
- Broken indenter tip (typically results in high readings)

- Deflection in work piece or clamping train (typically results in low

readings)

- Excessive vibration (typically results in low readings)

- Poor surface preparation (note that preparation can also be required

for the underside of the component AND the anvil)

- Angle of incidence with the surface (not more than 2o variation)

Dr Mike Keeble, Buehler