STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

Duhok Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
2nd Stage

Lecturer's Name: Experiment No. (4)

Mr.Mahir Ismael Ahmed Group (A2)

Title of Experiment:

Rockwell Hardness Test

Student Name:

Hayder Hassan Hussain

Date Expt. Performed:

17/02/2022

Date Report Submitted:

24/02/2022
Contents

Interodusion: ............................................................................................................ 1

Objective: .................................................................................................................. 1

Theory: ...................................................................................................................... 2

Difference between vickers and brinell and rockwell hardness test ............... 2

Equipment and Tools: ............................................................................................. 3

Procedure: ................................................................................................................ 4

Table :........................................................................................................................ 5

Calculation: .............................................................................................................. 6

Conclusion: ............................................................................................................... 7
Interodusion:

Our Rockwell Hardness Testing Service determines the hardness of the material
as well as its strength.

Using a sphere indentor a minor load is applied to the sample material, followed by
the application of a major load, which causes an indentation.

The depth of penetration by the indentor with the major load is compared to the
depth of penetration by the indentor with the minor load, which determines the
hardness of the material. The smaller the indentation created, the greater the hardness
of the material.

Rockwell hardness and other hardness testing methods are available at ITA Labs and
cater for a wide range of materials with different hardness values e.g. polymers,
alloys and ceramics.

If you’re looking for a Rockwell hardness testing service, we provide a fast

turnaround time, offer very competitive rates and we have the expertise to help you
interpret the results if required.

Objective:
To observe hardness relations among given material samples by determining their
Rockwell hardness values.

To determine the Rockwell hardness number of the given steel and aluminum alloys
samples.

1
Theory:
Hardness is the property of the material which represents the material’s resistance to
abrasion, scratching and cutting. In all hardness tests, a defined force is mechanically
applied on the sample surface for about 15 seconds. The indentor, which transmits
the load to the sample, varies in size and shape for different tests. Common indentors
are made of diamond or hardened steel.

Rockwell hardness testing gives the reading of hardness number directly on a dial.
In principle, this testing is similar to Brinell hardness testing. It differs only in
diameter and material of the indentor and the applied force. Although, there are many
scales having different combinations of load and size of the indentor, commonly ‘C’
scale is used and hardness is presented as HRC. Here the indentor has a diamond
cone at the tip and applied force is150 kgf.
Soft materials are often tested in ‘B’ scale with a 1.6 mm diameter steel indentor at
60 kgf.

Difference between vickers and brinell and rockwell hardness test

2
Equipment and Tools:
1. Rockwell hardness tester.
2. Diamond indenter.
3. Steel ball indenter of diameter 1/10” or Steel ball indenter of diameter 1/10”
or 1.6 mm. 1.6 mm.
4. Test samples.

3
Procedure:
1. Clean the sample surface and place it on the special anvil of the machine.
2. Turn the capstan wheel to elevate the sample and make it contact with the indenter.
3. Further turn the wheel to force the Further turn the wheel to force the sample
surface sample surface against the tester till the needle o against the tester till the
needle on the small gauge reaches the red point. This ensures that the minor load
of 10 kg has been applied on the sample surface.
4. Set the pointer and dial gauge in appropriate positions based on the scale to be
used.
5. Push the lever forward to apply the selected major load.
6. As soon as the pointer in the dial gauge comes to rest, the load lever is to be
reversed in order to release the major load.
7. Read the Rockwell hardness number (R C or R B) from the appropriate scale.

4
Table :

5
Calculation:

ℎ
HRC = 66.8 HRC =100−
0.002mm

ℎ ℎ
66.8 =100− 100−66.8=
0.002mm 0.002mm

ℎ
33.2 h= 0.0664 mm
0.002mm

ℎ
HRB = 77.3 HRB =100−
0.002mm

ℎ ℎ
77.3 =130− 130−77.3=
0.002mm 0.002mm

ℎ
52.7 h= 0.1054 mm
0.002mm

6
Conclusion:
Most materials are tested before being accepted for processing and before being put

into service to determine whether or not they fulfill the appropriate criteria. Hardness

is one of these tests. The most essential quality of a material is its hardness, which

is linked to other properties. As a result, we should learn to precisely quantify

hardness. The Rockwell hardness testing method is the most straightforward and

extensively utilized. As a result.

Result:

1. Rockwell hardness of mild steel, R C: h= 0.0664 mm

2. Rockwell hardness of aluminium, R B: h= 0.0454 mm

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