NANOINDENTATION...

Nanoindentation:-

Nanoindentation, also called instrumented indentation testing, is a variety

of indentation hardness tests applied to small volumes.

In nanoindentation small loads and tip sizes are used, so the indentation area may only
be a few square micrometres or even nanometres. This presents problems in determining the
hardness, as the contact area is not easily found. Atomic force microscopy or scanning
electron microscopy techniques may be utilized to image the indentation, but can be quite
cumbersome. Instead, an indenter with a geometry known to high precision (usually
a Berkovich tip, which has a three-sided pyramid geometry) is employed. During the course
of the instrumented indentation process, a record of the depth of penetration is made, and
then the area of the indent is determined using the known geometry of the indentation tip.
While indenting, various parameters such as load and depth of penetration can be measured.
A record of these values can be plotted on a graph to create a load-displacement curve (such
as the one shown in Figure 1). These curves can be used to extract mechanical properties of
the material.

A Berkovich tip is a type of nanoindenter tip used for testing the indentation
hardness of a material. It is a three-sided pyramid which is geometrically self-similar. The
popular Berkovich now has a very flat profile, with a total included angle of 142.3° and a half
angle of 65.27°, measured from the axis to one of the pyramid flats. This Berkovich tip has
the same projected area-to-depth ratio as a Vickers indenter.
 Nanoindentation is a standard method to investigate mechanical properties like
hardness, elasticity, plasticity index of the material which gives ability to resist permanently,
deformed when load is applied. It is mainly concerned with the depth of penetration to nm
resolution and the measuring the forces in the uN range in high accuracy and precision.
Hardness is proportional to the applied load P divided by the area of contact surface projected
in the material.

Elastic deformation occurs due to the stretching of the bonds between the atoms when
load is applied and when load is removed, it comes back to the original shape. Plastic
deformation occurs when load is applied beyond the elastic limit and permanent deformation
will takes place. Tensile testing are normally used for bulk samples but nanoindentation can
even measure thin film coatings, polymeric materials and soft tissues etc.

How to perform Nanoindentation?

Nanoindentation is a powerful technique where the indenter tip of known geometry is

projected into the specific site in the material to be tested, increasing load is applied and
when it reaches the designated maximum value, partial unloading is performed until desired
depth is attained. The holding segment is introduced which allows the material to relax before
unloading. The process is repeated many times and position of the indenter tip and the surface
is monitored with differential transformer.

Rockwell Hardness (HRC, HRB) to Brinell Hardness (HB or BHN) Conversion

Hardness is very important for producing rough metal castings, heat treatment and
machining process. Rockwell Hardness (HRC and HRB) and Brinell Hardness (HB or BHN)
are most commonly used for steel and iron castings.

Although there is no accurate conversion tables and equations, but we can recommend the
following formulas and comparison tables according to the experience and standards.

Formula A - Convert HRC into HB

Rockwell C Hardness (HRC) Brinell Hardness (HB)

From 21 to 30 HB = 5.970 * HRC + 104.7

From 31 to 40 HB = 8.570 * HRC + 27.6

From 41 to 50 HB = 11.158 * HRC + 79.6

From 51 to 60 HB = 17.515 * HRC - 401

Formula B - Convert HRB into HB

Rockwell B Hardness (HRB) Brinell Hardness (HB)

From 55 to 69 HB = 1.646 * HRB + 8.7

From 70 to 79 HB = 2.394 * HRB - 42.7

From 80 to 89 HB = 3.297 * HRB - 114

From 90 to 100 HB = 5.582 * HRB - 319

Hardness Conversion Formulas for Steel

Rockwell to Brinell (error expected to be +/- 10%)

from "Indentation Hardness Testing" by V.E. Lysaght, p.134

For 40 < Rockwell B < 100

Brinell = 7300 / (130 - Rockwell B)

For 30 < Rockwell E < 100

Brinell = 3710 / (130 - Rockwell E)

For 10 < Rockwell C < 40

Brinell = (1520000 - 4500 Rockwell C) / (100 - Rockwell C)2

For 40 < Rockwell C < 70

Brinell = (25000 - 10 (57 - Rockwell C)2 ) / (100 - Rockwell C)2

Hardness to Tensile Strength (error expected to be +/- 15%)

from "Indentation Hardness Testing" by V.E. Lysaght, p.134

For 82 < Rockwell B < 100

Tensile strength (psi) = (4750000 - 12000 Rockwell B) / (130 - Rockwell B)

For 10 < Rockwell C < 40

Tensile strength (psi) = 105 (7000 - 10 Rockwell C) / (100 - Rockwell C)2

For Brinell < 175

Tensile strength (psi) = 515 Brinell

For Brinell > 175

Tensile strength (psi) = 490 Brinell

Depth of Penetration to Hardness

from "The Rockwell Hardness Test" by D.C. Van Aken

Rockwell B = 130 - depth of penetration (m) / 2 m

Rockwell C = 100 - depth of penetration (m) / 2 m