PROGRAM KERJASAMA

AKADEMIK
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
TOPIC: TYPES OF HARDNESS TEST
(ASSIGNMENT 1)

Module: PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

Code: BTM 2413

Prepared for: MR. UMAR PATTHI

Name: AHMAD ZAHEER BIN HAMZAH

ID No: TA 14024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION - HARDNESS TESTING

PAGES

1.1 ROCKWELL

5 -6

2.1 BRINELL

6-7

3.1 VICKERS

4.1 BARCOL IMPRESSOR

9 - 11

5.1 MICRO HARDNESS

11

6.1 PORTABLE TESTER

12 - 13

REFERENCES

14

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

FIGURES / TABLES
Figure 1.1.1
Figure 1.1.2

TITLE
Rockwell Tester Machine
Rockwell Superficial

PAGES
4
5

Figure 2.1.1
Figure 2.1.2
Figure 3.1.1
Figure 4.1.1
Figure 6.1.1

Hardness Test
Brinell Tester Machine
Brinell Hardness Test
Vickers Hardness Test
Barcol Impressor Tester
N4 Portable Testing

7
7
8
11
12

Figure 6.1.2
Figure 6.1.3

Clamp
N6 Intest Hardness Tester
N7 Portable Hardness

13
13

Table 3.1.1

Tester for Tooth Flanks

Formula of Vickers

Table 4.1.1

Hardness Test
Range of Application

10

INTRODUCTION - HARDNESS TESTING

Among many types of materials testing methods, hardness testing is one of the most
popular, reliable and yet diversified methods. The many methods regularly practiced in
hardness determination of metals range from loads starting from grams in Micro hardness
testing up to 3,000 kgf for Brinell Testing of heavy castings. Suitable selection of hardness
testing methods together with the applicable hardness tester model can accurately measure
the hardness of softest alloys up to the hardest sintered materials.
3

There are so many hardness testing methods and scales that require finding the most
suitable hardness tester to meet every hardness testing application.
Modern electronics has played an important role to improve hardness testing technologies,
providing high accuracy, data processing of test results, statistical analysis, graphics, and
much more.
For selection of the suitable hardness tester for your application, the following criteria are to
be considered:
1.

Test Load

2.

Hardness Scale

3.

Accuracy of Results

4.

Adaptability of the hardness tester to shape and dimension of the work piece

5.

Budget

6.

Portability or table top/ floor configuration of the hardness tester.

Below are some ways to measure hardness:

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

Rockwell
Brinell
Vickers
Barcol Impressor
Portable Tester
Microhardness

1.1 ROCKWELL

The Rockwell Hardness test is a hardness measurement based on the net increase in
depth of impression as a load is applied. Hardness numbers have no units and are commonly
given in the R, L, M, E and K scales. The higher the number in each of the scales means the
harder the material.
Hardness has been variously defined as resistance to local penetration, scratching,
machining, wear or abrasion, and yielding. The multiplicity of definitions, and corresponding
multiplicity of hardness measuring instruments, together with the lack of a fundamental
definition, indicates that hardness may not be a fundamental property of a material, but rather
4

a composite one including yield strength, work hardening, true tensile strength, modulus of
elasticity, and others. In the Rockwell method of hardness testing, the depth of penetration of
an indenter under certain arbitrary test conditions is determined. The indenter may either be a
steel ball of some specified diameter or a spherical diamond-tipped cone of 120 angle and
0.2 mm tip radius, called Brale. The type of indenter and the test load determine the hardness
scale (A, B, C).
A minor load of 10 kg is first applied, which causes an initial penetration and holds
the indenter in place. Then, the dial is set to zero and the major load is applied. Upon removal
of the major load, the depth reading is taken while the minor load is still on. The hardness
number may then be read directly from the scale.

Figure 1.1.1 Rockwell Tester Machine

Figure 1.1.2 Rockwell Superficial Hardness Test

2.1 BRINELL
5

Dr. J. A. Brinell invented the Brinell test in Sweden in 1900. The oldest of the
hardness test methods in common use today, the Brinell test is frequently use to determine the
hardness of forgings and castings that have a grain structure too course for Rockwell or
Vickers testing. Therefore, Brinell tests are frequently done on large parts. By varying the test
force and ball size, nearly all metals can be tested using a Brinell test. Brinell values are
considered test force independent as long as the ball size/test force relationship is the same.
In the USA, Brinell testing is typically done on iron and steel castings using a 3000kg
test force and a 10mm diameter carbide ball. Aluminium and other softer alloys are
frequently tested using a 500Kg test force and a 10 or 5mm carbide ball. Therefore the typical
range of Brinell testing in this country is 500 to 3000kg with 5 or 10mm carbide balls. In
Europe Brinell testing is done using a much wider range of forces and ball sizes. It's common
in Europe to perform Brinell tests on small parts using a 1mm carbide ball and a test force as
low as 1kg. These low load tests are commonly referred to as baby Brinell tests.

Figure 2.1.1 Brinell Tester Machine

Figure 2.1.2 Brinell Hardness Test

3.1 VICKERS

It is the standard method for measuring the hardness of metals, particularly those with
extremely hard surfaces the surface is subjected to a standard pressure for a standard length
of time by means of a pyramid-shaped diamond. The diagonal of the resulting indention is
measured under a microscope and the Vickers Hardness value read from a conversion table.
Vickers hardness is a measure of the hardness of a material, calculated from the size of an
impression produced under load by a pyramid-shaped diamond indenter.
It is permitted the establishment of a continuous scale of comparable numbers that
accurately reflected the wide range of hardness found in steels. The indenter employed in the
Vickers test is a square-based pyramid whose opposite sides meet at the apex at an angle of
136. The diamond is pressed into the surface of the material at loads ranging up to
approximately 120 kilograms-force, and the size of the impression (usually no more than 0.5

mm) is measured with the aid of a calibrated microscope. The Vickers number (HV) is
calculated using the following formula:

HV = 1.854(F/D2)
F being the applied load (measured in kilograms-force) and D2 the area of the indentation
(measured in square millimetres). The applied load is usually specified when HV is cited.
Table 3.1.1 Formula of Vickers Hardness Test

Figure 3.1.1 Vickers Hardness Test

4.1 BARCOL IMPRESSOR

The Barcol Impressor is a simple, portable hardness tester that is used by industrial
and commercial customers. The Impressor has been a standard in the industry for testing raw
material or field testing of final products, such as fibreglass panels, plastic extrusions,
aluminium profiles, and related materials. Compliant with the National Fire Protection
Association, NFPA1932, the Impressor is a proven device for field testing of fire ladders after
being exposed to high.

Official Barcol Impressor scale, for testing of:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Aluminium Alloys
Soft Metals
Plastics
Fibreglass Sheet, Tanks, Surfaces
Fire Department Ladders
Composite Materials
8

7. Rubber or Leather
8. Laminates
9. Lead

Portable:
The Impressor is a convenient tool for testing the hardness of aluminium, aluminium alloys,
copper, brass and other materials including plastics and fibreglass. The instrument is designed
for use on fabricated parts and assemblies as well as on raw stock.
Easy to use:
No experience required; can be used in any position and in any space that will allow for the
operator's hand. The hardness reading is instantly indicated on the dial, which is divided into
one hundred graduations. No waiting, pre-loading or separate measurements.

Light weight:
The impressor weighs only 1 lb. 2 oz. and comes complete with carrying case, adjusting
wrench and two spare indenter points, 2 lb. 8oz.

TYPE

RANGE
Soft metals such as aluminium and its alloys,

GYZJ 934-1

brass, copper, and some of the harder plastics

and fibreglass. Approximate range 25 to 150
Brinell (10 mm ball 500 kg

load). This unit

meets American Society for Testing and

Materials (ASTM) Standard D2583.
GYZJ 934-1-0-1

A variation of the 934-1 that has a "flat

bottom" shaped support leg. This is used to
sit

on top of the crest the round rung of a

9

ladder such as a fire department ladder.

GYZJ 935

For the softer plastics and very soft metals.

GYZJ 936

For extremely soft materials such as lead,

linoleum and leather.

Table 4.1.1 Range of Application

Figure 4.1.1 Barcol Impressor Tester

5.1 MICRO HARDNESS

Micro Hardness Testing of metals, composites and ceramics are employed where a
'macro' hardness test is not usable. Micro hardness tests can be used to provide necessary data
when measuring individual microstructures within a larger matrix, or testing very thin foil
like materials, or when determining the hardness gradient of a specimen along a cross section.
The term Micro Hardness Testing usually refers to static indentations made by loads
of 1kgf. or less. The Baby Brinell Hardness Test uses a 1mm carbide ball, while the Vickers
Hardness Test employs a diamond with an apical angle of 136, and the Knoop Hardness Test
uses a narrow rhombus shaped diamond indenter. The test surface usually must be highly
polished. The smaller the force applied the higher the metallographic finish required.

10

Microscopes with a magnification of around 500x are required to accurately measure the
indentations produced.
Vickers and Knoop hardness test are defined by standards ASTM E 92 (for
indentation forces of 1 kgf. to 120 kgf.) and ASTM E 384 (for indentation forces below 1
kgf.), while ASTM E 10 is the standard for Brinell Hardness Testing.

6.1 PORTABLE TESTER

Conventional hardness testers, like Rockwell, Brinell or Vickers machines,

require the test piece be brought to the testing device; but this is not always possible.
Portable testing devices have been developed that permit in-situ hardness
measurements thus offering quick and economical supplements to conventional,
stationary testing machines. There are two different physical methods particularly
recognized in the practical field and which are accepted tools for many applications.
Pictures below shows the range of application for portable tester:

Figure 6.1.1 - N4 Portable Testing Clamp

11

Portable hardness tester N4 for Rockwell, Superficial Rockwell, HVT, HBT and Ball

Indentation Hardness Testing (ISO 2039-1)

4 different models for different sample sizes:
- 0-20 mm (N4E)
- 0-145 mm (N4A)
- 0-235 mm (N4B)
- 0-335 mm (N4C)

Figure 6.1.2 - N6 Intest Hardness Tester

Portable hardness tester N6 for hardness measurement of bores and internal diameters
Possible sample dimensions: 36 to 110 mm dia.
Read-out in HRC

Figure 6.1.3 - N7 Portable Hardness Tester for Tooth Flanks

Portable hardness tester N7 for hardness measurement of tooth flanks and gears
12

Read-out in HRC
Max. tooth measurement width:
- 140 mm (N7F)
- 700 mm (N7P)

REFERENCES

Copyright 2001 by CALCE and the University of Maryland,

Material Hardness, Retrieved Mac 2015 from
http://www.calce.umd.edu/

Copyright 2010 AMETEK, Applications Brinell Hardness Testing,

Retrieved Mac 2015 from http://www.hardnesstesters.com/

Copyright 2015 Electro Arc Manufacturing Co, AMES Portable

Hardness Tester, Retrieved Mac 2015 from
http://www.amesportablehardnesstesters.com/

Copyright 1999-2015 Qualitest International Inc,, Retrieved Nov

2014 from http://www.worldoftest.com/barcol.htm

Copyright 1996 - 2015 ASTM. All Rights Reserved. ASTM

International, Retrieved Mac 2015 from
http://www.astm.org/Standards/A1038.htm

Copyright October 2002, Retrieved Mac 2015 from

http://www.ndt.net/article/ecndt02/109/109.htm

Copyright Copyright 2015 Janalta Interactive Inc, Retrieved Mac

2015 from
http://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/775/microhardness

13

Copyright 2001 by CALCE and the University of Maryland,

Material Hardness, Retrieved Mac 2015 from
http://www.calce.umd.edu/TSFA/Hardness_ad_.html

Copyright 2011 by Wilson Hardness an Instron Company, Rockwell

BRIRO R Hardness Tester from http://www.wilsonhardness.com/Products/RockwellTesters/RockwellBRIRORHardnessTe
ster.aspx

Copyright of German Malaysian Institute (2008), Engineering

Materials, (pg83-225), pg (94-225)

14