4/21/2023 Brinell Hardness

Testing Lab 02

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URAME DOKTA 22300416 BECV1
Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
Experimental Procedures ........................................................................................................... 3
Results .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Analysis and Discussion ............................................................................................................. 7
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................... 8
References ........................................................................................................................................... 9

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Introduction
Brinell hardness tests are carried out on some materials to find out about the
resistance to penetration or indentation. This method was invented in 1900 by the
Swedish engineer John Brinell (Featured Snippets, 2020). The greater resistance to
deformation is true for hardest materials and the contrary is for the soft materials.
Hardness is proportional to the mechanical properties of the materials. Some of the
factors that influences hardness are including microstructure, grain size and strain
hardening (Rethwisch, 2014). Early hardness testing was based on the ability of
one material to scratch another that is softer. Over the years, other qualitative
techniques have been developed in which a small indenter is forced into the surface
of another material at a specific load application. “The resulting indentation is
related to a hardness number, the softer material undergoes greater indentation
with less BH number whilst hard material has higher hardness index number” as
stated by (Rethwisch, 2014).
There are other common tests used for hardness testing which includes
Rockwell and Vickers or Knoop but in the lab performed, it was Brinell hardness
test to determine the indentation of Steel, Brass and Aluminum specimen. Brinell
hardness is important because it “determines the suitability of a material or in
other words it gives a particular treatment in which the materials have been
subjected” (University, 2019). Hardness tests are preferred more frequently because
of the following three reasons; they are simple and inexpensive, non – destructive
and it provides hardness data for materials properties. Also, Brinell test gives well
defined indentation.
In the test machine a spherical indenter was placed in the holder. Aluminum
specimen was placed on the machine followed by Brass and Steel and the standard
load ranges were applied. The indent diameters were converted to curved area and
HB number and the results were tabulated using excel chart. The analysis of the
results was made based on the hardness properties of materials. Finally, the
conclusion was drawn based on the objective of the experiment.
Few formulas (Lab 02 Hardness testing, 2023) that were used for
calculations are as follows;
The Brinell hardness number (HB)
𝟐𝑷
𝑯𝑩 =
𝝅𝑫[𝑫−√(𝑫𝟐 −𝒅𝟐 )]
where 𝑃 = 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 (𝑘𝑔)
𝑑 = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑚𝑚)
𝐷 = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑚𝑚)

Area: 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝐹
Pressure 𝑃 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝐴

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Experimental Procedures
The materials that were employed in the experiment were including; Brinell
hardness testing machine,10 mm tungsten carbide indenter ball, vernier caliper,
Aluminum, Brass and Steel specimen, loads (each 125 kg), phone, marker and
whiteboard.
Firstly, the test piece (i.e., Aluminum specimen) was placed onto the test
table directly below the indenter. Then, the hand wheel has been turned slowly and
carefully in clockwise manner till the specimen comes in contact with the indenter.
Subsequently, the pressure scale has been reset to zero using the pressure
calibrated knob. Next, the loads have been placed simultaneously on both sides of
the load’s hanger, starting with 500 kg each on both sides, followed by next 500 kg
then 125 kg each and finally 125 kg each. The total loads applied at first test was
2500 kg. At this stage, the species is set so the pressure has been applied by
pushing the pressure control handle up and down slowly down. The deflecting
pointer at the pressure scale in (GPa) has been noted. Thereafter, the pointer
stopped deflecting and the pressure reading was observed and recorded.
Furthermore, the pressure control handle has been lifted up slowly to
release the pressure. Then, the handle wheel has been turned anti – clockwise in
order to drop the test table. Finally, the specimen was taken up and the
indentation were observed, measured using vernier caliper and recorded using the
marker and whiteboard. The same species has been put back onto the test table
but this time, the total load has been reduced to 2250 kg. The third time the test
was repeated for the total of 1250 kg, then 1000 kg and finally 500 kg. The
respective indentation was observed, measured and recorded.
The same procedure that has been used for Aluminum specimen has been
repeated for Brass and Steel test species.
Figure 1: The experiment setup

Figure 2(a) shows the

specimen and indenter
before the pressure is
applied (b) shows the
indentation after the
pressure is applied

Figure 3shows a vernier caliper has been used to

measure indentation

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Figure 4 shows Brinell hardness

testing machine. courtesy: Lab
Manual - Material Science

Courtesy:
(FaaDoOEngineers,
2007)

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Results
Indent Indentat Pressu Indento BHN for
Indenta Pres ation Press ion on re r Indented Indented Indented BHN for BHN for Alumini
Load (kg)

tion on sure on ure Alumini (GPa) Diamet Area for Area for Area for Steel Brass um
Steel (GPa) Brass (GPa) um Alumi er Steel Brass Aluminiu (kg/mm (kg/mm 2 (kg/mm 2
(mm) Steel (mm) Brass (mm) nium (mm) (mm 2) (mm 2) m (mm 2) 2
) ) )
500 1.4 2900 1.5 2800 4 2750 10 1.54 1.77 12.57 323.21 281.34 38.13
1000 1.7 2720 2 2300 4.5 2600 10 2.27 3.14 15.90 437.36 315.09 59.51
1250 2 1720 2.8 1800 5 1600 10 3.14 6.16 19.63 393.87 198.94 59.40
2250 2.7 1520 3.3 1550 5.5 1500 10 5.73 8.55 23.76 385.68 255.70 86.90
2500 3.5 1020 4 1000 6 850 10 9.62 12.57 28.27 251.63 190.64 79.58

Table 1Shows Load, Pressure, Indentation, Indent Area and BHN values for Steel, Brass and Aluminum test specimen
Load (kg)

Load (kg)

Load (kg)
Indented Area Indented Indented
for Steel Area for Area for
(mm2) Brass Aluminium
(mm2) (mm2)
1.54 500 1.77 500 12.57 500
2.27 1000 3.14 1000 15.90 1000
3.14 1250 6.16 1250 19.63 1250
5.73 2250 8.55 2250 23.76 2250
9.62 2500 12.57 2500 28.27 2500

Table 2shows Indent area vs. Load to be plotted on excel chart

Indent area vs. Load

3000

2500

2000
Steel
Load (kg)

Brass
1500
Aluminium
Linear (Steel)
1000 Linear (Brass)
Linear (Aluminium)
500

0
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00
Area mm2

Figure 5shows graphs of indent area against load for the Steel, Brass and Aluminum test species

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Specimen vs. BHN

300.00

250.00
BHN (KG/MM2)

200.00

150.00

100.00

50.00

0.00
Steel Brass Aluminium
MATERIAL

Figure 6: Shows BH numbers for the materials used in the hardness testing

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Analysis and Discussion

The indenter ball of diameter 10 mm is perfectly smooth with a stainless-
steel appearance. The smoothness of the indenter ball helps in penetration of the
test species and besides aiding HBN values. The indentation was analyzed and with
the carefull handling of vernier caliper the diameter was measured. The load
applied, each weigh 125 kg. which was impractical but that has calibrated in a
sense that it can apply such load. Even in the Pressure scale, it’s given in (GPA)
readings. In fact, such pressure doesn’t not fit the test. But again, it was the same
for load. The higher-pressure reading was calibrated for maximum penetration and
deformation.
From figure 5, the gradient for Steel, Brass and Aluminum were calculated
respectively as;
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 1600−1000 600𝑘𝑔 600𝑘𝑔
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 = 𝑃𝑟𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 𝑟𝑢𝑛
= 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 5−2
= 3𝑚𝑚2 = 3 x 10−6 𝑚2 = 200 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 2000−1000 1000𝑘𝑔 1000𝑘𝑔
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 𝑟𝑢𝑛
= 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 9−4
= 5𝑚𝑚2
= 5 x 10−6 𝑚2 = 200 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 1500−500 1000𝑘𝑔 1000𝑘𝑔
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡𝐴𝑙 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝐻𝐵𝑁 = 𝑟𝑢𝑛
= 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 20−12.5
= 7.5𝑚𝑚2 = 7.5 x 10−6 𝑚2 = 133 𝑀𝑃𝑎

HBN or HB number is consistent with pressure exerted. HBN values can be

2𝑃
calculated in two ways; firstly, by formula 𝐻𝐵 = and secondly from the
𝜋𝐷[𝐷−√(𝐷2 −𝑑 2 )]
area vs. load gradient calculations. Using the results in table 1, it was noted that
HBN values for steel was 25% greater than its value calculated from the gradient.
Brass was 10% less compared to gradient value whilst Aluminum was
approximately twice less than is gradient calculated values. The comparison has
been made at the maximum load at 2500 kg.
Figure 6, indicates the hardness of the three-material used. Steel has high
BH number followed by Brass and Aluminum. Therefore, it was noted that steel is
perhaps the hardest material followed by brass and aluminum is softer than the
two materials.
Theoretically, HB number is always constant for specific materials. However,
in the experiment performed results was not consistent for the HBN values. That
was contradicting. Thus, this may be solely due to incorrect reading of the diameter
indentation. In the test, a pair of vernier caliper was used in measuring the
diameter. If micrometer screw gauge has been used (Aqib, 2021) then the results
would be improved in terms of calculated values and gradient. Besides, the curve
for Steel, Brass and Aluminum would be a perfect linear graph.

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

Conclusion
In the lab, the Brinell hardness testing machine was used in examining the
indentation of steel, brass and aluminum. In which the hardened indenter ball 10
mm in diameter has been allowed to penetrate each of the test species. It was
evident that from the indentation, Steel has undergone great pressure to produce
less indentation followed by brass whilst aluminum has greatly indented with less
pressure applied. Besides, from the calculated values, steel has higher HBN values
followed by brass and aluminum. This concludes from the mechanical properties,
steel is much harder, aluminum is softer and brass is intermediate. Thus, the aim
of the experiment was achieved by conducting the hardness testing and realizing
the limitation and also significance of materials in terms of hardness data. Further
improvements and better results can be achieved when avoiding zero and parallax
error whilst using the vernier caliper, and using smooth and stronger indenter ball
during the experiment.

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Brinell Hardness Testing Lab 02

References
Aqib, P. ( 2021). Characterisation of MAterials 1. Pakistan: Muhamad Raafay.

Featured Snippets. (2020, 11 30). Brinell test. From Snippets:

http://www.infinitiaresearch.com>news

Leso, A. &. (2023). Lab 02 Hardness testing. Lae: Unitech, Mech Dpt.

Rading, P. G. (2007). FaaDoOEngineers. From Material Science: http:/www.faaDoOEngineers.com

Rethwisch, C. &. (2014). Material Science and Enginnering, An Introduction 9th Edt. New York: John
Wiley & Sons.

University, D. (2019). Hardness Testing. From http://www.deakin.edu.au>sebe>materials

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