HARDNEST TEST

Hardness is generally considered as resistance to penetration. The harder the materials, the
greater the resistance to penetration. Hardness is directly related to the mechanical properties of
the material. Factors influencing hardness include microstructure, grain size, strain hardening,
etc. Generally as hardness increases so does yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, thus
specifications often require the results of hardness tests rather than tensile tests.
BRINELL HARDNESS TEST
Brinell test is used to determine the hardness of forgings and castings that have a grain structure.
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.
The Brinell hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a 10 mm diameter
hardened steel or carbide ball subjected to a load of 3000 kg. For softer materials the load can be
reduced to 1500 kg or 500 kg to avoid excessive indentation. The full load is normally applied
for 10 to 15 seconds in the case of iron and steel and for at least 30 seconds in the case of other
metals. The diameter of the indentation left in the test material is measured with a low powered
microscope. The Brinell harness number is calculated by dividing the load applied by the surface
area of the indentation. The Brinell number, which normally ranges from HB 50 to HB 750 for
metals, will increase as the sample gets harder.
This method is the best for achieving the bulk or macro-hardness of a material, particularly those
materials with heterogeneous structures. Some specimen used in this testing are: Softwood,
Hardwood, Lead, Pure Aluminium, Cooper, Mild Steel, Annealed Stainless Steel, Glass, Tool
Steel and Rhenium diboride.

Parts and structure of Brinell Tester:

Digital Brinell Tester:

ROCKWELL HARDNEST TEST

The Rockwell scale is a hardness scale that a diamond cone or a hard steel ball is employed as
the indenter depending on the hardness of materials. Diamond cone or Brale indenter with cone
angle of 1200 is used to test hard materials and the balls of sizes between 1.6 mm (1/16") and
12.7 mm (1/2") are used in testing softer materials.
Rockwell tests differ from other indentation hardness tests in that the depth of indentation
determines the hardness rather than the indentation size. Therefore, surface condition of
specimens is very important in Rockwell testing because of its high dependency on the accuracy
in indentation depth measurements. In order to establish a reference position a minor load of 10
kgf. is first applied, and the major load is then applied. Additional penetration due to major load
is measured and readings are obtained from a calibrated scale (dial) directly, which has a
maximum value of 100, depending on the depth of penetration. (HR = E- e)
There are 30 different scales, but majority are covered by Rockwell B and C scales for testing
steel, brass and other metals. Factors that control the scale selection are type of material used,
specimen thickness, test location and scale limitations. Specimens involved in this tester are
Tungsten Carbide, Aluminium, Brass, Soft Steels and Polymers.

VICKERS HARDNEST TEST

The Vickers hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a diamond indenter,
in the form of a right pyramid with a square base and an angle of 136 degrees between opposite
faces subjected to a load of 1 to 100 kgf. The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds.
The two diagonals of the indentation left in the surface of the material after removal of the load
are measured using a microscope and their average calculated. The area of the sloping surface of
the indentation is calculated. The Vickers hardness is the quotient obtained by dividing the kgf
load by the square mm area of indentation.
HV = Constant x test force / indent diagonal squared
The constant is a function of the indenter geometry and the units of force and diagonal. The Vickers
number, which normally ranges from HV 100 to HV1000 for metals, will increase as the sample gets
harder.

Vickers test methods are defined in the following standards:

ASTM E384 micro force ranges 10g to 1kg

ASTM E92 macro force ranges - 1kg to 100kg

ISO 6507-1,2,3 micro and macro ranges

Because of the wide test force range, the Vickers test can be used on almost any metallic
material. The part size is only limited by the testing instrument's capacity. Materials used in this
tester are 316L stainless steel, 347L stainless steel, Carbon Steel, Iron, Martensite and diamond.

BARCOL IMPRESSOR HARDNEST TEST

The Barcol hardness test is generally used for testing homogeneous materials. Materials of
granular, fibrous or coarse structure will produce a wide variation in hardness readings because
of the small diameter of the indenter point. It measures hardness based on indentation of a sharp
point with a flat tip.
The test is performed using a similar method and indentation device as that used to
measure Shore D hardness however the Shore D indentor has a round tip. Barcol hardness is not
a valid hardness measure for curved surfaces. For accurate readings, material should be at least 1
/32"thick and large enough for a minimum distance of 1/8" in any direction from the indenter
point to the edge of the specimen. The testing area should be smooth and free from mechanical
damage.
The governing standard for the Barcol hardness test is ASTM D 2583. Barcol hardness is
measured on a scale from 0 to 100 with the typical range being between 50B and 90B. As
defined in ASTM D 2583 the scale divisions from 0-100 should each indicate a depth of 0.0076
mm or the equivalent 0.0003 inches.
Usually this tester is used to test Aluminium Alloys, Soft Metals, Plastics, Fiberglass sheets,
tanks and surfaces, Composite Materials, Rubber of Leather, Lead and Laminates.

PORTABLE TESTER: LEEB HARDNEST TEST

The Leeb rebound hardness test method was developed in 1975 by Leeb and Brandestini to
provide a portable hardness test for metals. It was developed as an alternative to the unwieldy
and sometimes intricate traditional hardness measuring equipment.
It uses a carbide ball hammer that is spring rather than gravity powered. An electronic sensor
measures the velocity of the hammer as it travels toward and away from the surface of the
sample. The Leeb value is the hammer's rebound velocity divided by the impact velocity times
1000. The result is Leeb hardness from 0 to 1000 that can be related to other hardness scales
such as Rockwell and Vickers.
This test is suited for the hardness testing of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Measurements
are made in the Leeb Scale and depending on the instrument can be converted to Vickers, Brinell,
Rockwell C & B and Shore. Materials that can typically be tested include cast steel, alloy tool
steel, stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, copper, cast irons etc. This tester is not suited for testing
the hardness of very thin parts like sheet metal, thin walled or very light weight parts.

MICROHARDNESS: KNOOP HARDNESS TEST

The term microhardness test usually refers to static indentations made with loads not exceeding 1
kgf. The indenter is either the Vickers diamond pyramid or the Knoop elongated diamond
pyramid. The procedure for testing is very similar to that of the standard Vickers hardness test,
except that it is done on a microscopic scale with higher precision instruments. The surface being
tested generally requires a metallographic finish; the smaller the load used, the higher the surface
finish required. Precision microscopes are used to measure the indentations; these usually have a
magnification of around X500 and measure to an accuracy of +0.5 micrometres. Also with the
same observer differences of +0.2 micrometres can usually be resolved. It should, however, be
added that considerable care and experience are necessary to obtain this accuracy.
Knoop Hardness test is a microhardness test, using rhombic-based pyramidal diamond that
produces an elongated diamond shaped indent. Knoop tests are mainly done at test forces from
10g to 1000g, so a high powered microscope is necessary to measure the indent sizeThe
magnifications required to measure Knoop indents dictate a highly polished test surface. To
achieve this surface, the samples are normally mounted and metallurgically polished; therefore
Knoop is almost always a destructive test. Knoop test methods are defined in ASTM E384.
The Knoop hardness HK or KHN is then given by the formula:

where:
L = length of indentation along its long axis
Cp = correction factor related to the shape of the indenter, ideally 0.070279
P = load

Usually this tester required only small sample and valid for a wide range of test forces. Variables
such as load, temperature and environment may effect during testing. Some materials tested by
using this tester, such as Dentin, Gold Foil, Quartz, Silicon Carbide and Diamond.

Knoop Hardness Indenter Indentation: