Hardeness Test

Title: Hardness of Metallic Materials
Objective: To determine the hardness of metallic materials by using the Rockwell scale
Introduction: Rockwell hardness test is an indentation hardness test using a verified
machine to force a diamond spheroconical indenter or tungsten carbide (or steel) ball
indenter, under specified conditions, into the surface of the indenter is increased from a
specified preliminary test force to a specified total test force and then returned to the
preliminary test force. Simply, it’s resistance for the indentation. Rockwell hardness number
is an arbitrary number derived from the net increase in the depth of indentation as the force
on an indenter is increased from a specified preliminary test force to a specified total test
force and then returned to the preliminary test force (this number may correlate to tensile
strength, wear resistance, ductility, and other physical characteristics of metallic materials,
and may be useful in quality control and selection of materials); and may not represent the
physical characteristics of the whole part of the product. Number should be round up
accordingly.
Theory: Hardness is the property of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation,
usually by indentation. It is determined by measuring the permanent depth of the indentation.
Given a settled load and a particular indenter, the littler the indentation is the harder the
material. Hardness may likewise be evaluated by the imperviousness to scratching or cutting
by another material. The Rockwell technique measures the changeless profundity of space
created by a heap on an indenter. The higher number in each of the scales implies harder the
material. The Rockwell hardness technique is normal for the immediate readout of the
hardness number and fast testing time. Rockwell hardness esteems are communicated as a
blend of a hardness number and a scale symbol HR and the scale designation.
Equations used to calculate the hardness number by using depth ‘h’
For spheroconical diamond indenter: HR =100-(h/0.002)
For ball indenter : HR =130-(h/0.002)
There are separate scales for ferrous metals, nonferrous metals and plastics. Commonly
Rockwell hardness scales include A, B, C and F for metals and M for polymers.
Table 1- Rockwell hardness scale
Scale Pre-load Indenter Total test Specimen

symbol Kg (N) force material
Kg(N)
A 10 (98) Diamond(1200 , 0.2 tip radius) 60 (589) Hardened
steel plate
B 10 ( 98) WC φ1/16 “ 100(981) Nonferrous,
(1.588mm) soft steels
C 10 (98) Diamond 150(1471) Hard steels
Table 2- Adjusting method of dial face
Scale Dial Large Small pointer
symbo figures pointer position
l position
(initial)
A Black 0 or C Red spot (3)
B Red 30 or B 2 divisions(2)
C Black 0 or C Red spot(3)
Material and apparatus
 A Rockwell hardness tester (scale)

 A spheroconical diamond indenter(120 egress, 0.2tip radius)
 A specimen material of hard steel
Rockwell Hardness Tester Diamond ball indenter

Procedure:
 Firstly, the crank was kept at an unloading position.

 Then the suitable Rockwell hardness scale was chosen according to the table 1
 After that large pointer in the dial scale was adjusted according to the table 2
 Then the test piece was placed and the indenter was brought into contact with the test
surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface by turning the hand wheel
clockwise slowly. Proper contact was indicated by the movement of large pointer in
the dial face.
 Then the major load was applied on the specimen by pushing down the lever.
 After that the readings was taken from the dial scale.
 Later the minor load was removed by turning the hand wheel counter clockwise to
lower the specimen and it was moved to an other are for additional testing.
 Same steps were done and four additional readings were obtained.
 Then the average was calculated by the results obtained.
 Finally the minor load was removed by lowering the anvil.
Calculations:
Average value = (1st value+2nd value+3rd value+4th value)/4
Average value = (94+94+98.5+98+96.1)/4
= 96.1
Results:
HRC test results:
Sample 1st value 2nd value 3rd value 4th value Avg.value
94 94 98.5 98 96.1
Discussion:
Hardness is for the most part considered as resistance of a material
to infiltration under a connected load. The harder materials demonstrate the more prominent
imperviousness to entrance and the milder materials demonstrate the lower imperviousness to
infiltration. Hardness is specifically identified with the mechanical properties of the material,
for example microstructure, grain measure and so forth. As indicated by our test esteems the
qualities are high. There are many microstructures in the atmosphere. The hardness of the
microstructure is directly related to Atomic Bonds. Primarily, there are two main atomic
bonds primary intermediate bonds (lonic Bonds, Covalent Bonds, Metallic bonds) and
another one is Secondary Bonds (Fluctuating induced Dipole Bonds, Permanent Dipole
Bonds ) If the material contains primary interatomic bonds. That material is more difficult
than the material contains secondary bonds because Primary inter-tonal bonds are strong as
secondary bonds. If we think test sample we took hard steel. Steel has metallic bonds, then
the values get high. If we look at the results of the test samples, we can see that some values
are not quite the same as others and some of qualities are same there to reason for mechanical
properties. In a similar material the microstructure can be not the same as one point to
another on account of point defects. Values may also be different hence Oxidation. The
oxidized layer, which usually occurred on the metal surface is different hardness compared to
pure metal. At the point the qualities can be unique. In the event that microstructure and the
oxidation layer is same to two focuses the qualities can be same.
Importance of hardness testing
One of the features that allows material to resist plastic deformation, indentation, scratching
and penetration is hardness. From a building perspective, the hardness is vital on the ground
that imperiousness to wear by either grating or disintegration by oil, steam and water for the
most part increments with hardness. In industry , hardness test play an important role. In spite
of the fact that they do not gauge a special quality that can be named as hardness, the
outcomes are acquired in light of perceptions and examinations as opposed to the major
hypotheses. For example if the materials are the same hardness, materials may or may not
appear to be identical, but rather if hardness is not the same as each other positively the
materials were not like. In the most common technical fields or career, hardness test assumes
crucial pat in choosing the appropriate materials. Structural designers extends to a great
extent relies upon the nature of their materials, for example steel, mortar and bond, concrete,
and different materials which are regularly utilized as a part of structural building. The
importance of machine hardness tests is an important part of quality small test pieces and
machinery and machinery productions equipment. For electrical engineers when selecting
suitable materials wires and materials suitable for covering electrical circuits based product.
Basically the significance of hardness test is create of a dependable and safe item for
everyday utilization of a common man.
Shortcomings of the Rockwell hardness testing & the Improving the accuracy of the test
If we discuss the shortcomings of the test method, we can

discuss the disservices and confinement of the Rockwell hardness testing strategy. If we use
Rockwell’s analogue disc hardness testing machine has some flaws. One shortcomings is
when we set a large pointer to the C position by rotating the dial three would be a small
asamapatha error. Even when we set a small pointer to the RED position, it would be an
asampatha error again. And furthermore when we set the example and put the minor and the
real load then take the dial gage readings there would be an asampatha error. All together
because asampatha error, the Rockwell value may be different from the real value. We can
fix the asampatha error if we use digital evidence from the Rockwell hardness test machine.
The indenter material normally made of a much harder material (a diamond spheroconical
indenter or tungsten carbide (or steel) ball indenter) than the material being tried. If it is not,
the indenter can be cracked and then it can give some false values for the Rockwell number.
When we put the minor and the real load to the sample take the perusing, after that which we
have to remove a big load because if we do not remove a large load that can be harmful to the
indenter.
Conclusion:
In conclusion was Rockwell’s hardness test, so we could find the hardness of hard steel. In
the process of finding hardness we took fore readings, and found the hardness of the hard
steel which is 96.1. Although the Rockwell hardness tester is easy to understand it has some
limitations or flaws that can affect the accuracy of reading. Not only but also we can clearly
understand why hardness is different or from one point to other. And we are talking about
some of the shortcomings of Rockwell test method and how to improve the accuracy of
hardness testing practical. So the hardness test is one of the most commonly used methods for
finding hardness of materials industries.
References:

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Title: Hardness of Metallic Materials

Table 1- Rockwell hardness scale

Scale Pre-load Indenter Total test Specimen

Material and apparatus

 A Rockwell hardness tester (scale)

Rockwell Hardness Tester Diamond ball indenter

 Firstly, the crank was kept at an unloading position.

If we discuss the shortcomings of the test method, we can

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