Brinell Hardness Test

Course Title
Assignment #
Submitted To
Submitted By

Date of
Submission
Assessors
Remarks:

Inspection and Testing Lab

3
Mr. Osama
Group#7
Irfan Sheikh (120301012)
Shazeen Akhtar
(120301032)
Izam Sikander(120301004)
Ali Adil(120301006)
Shoaib Jamro (120301001)
January 20 , 2015

Abstract
Hardness Test:
This is essentially the resistance of the surface of a material to
deformation. There is no absolute scale for hardness.
In the experiment, Brinell hardness test was used in attempt to
examine the relation of the deformation of metal specimen to the
hardness property of a metal. Using a hardened steel ball fixed unto
a Brinell Hardness Test machine demonstrated in the experimental
setup diagram. The specimen was mounted unto the machine and
the machine was loaded with equivalent loads as indicated by the
experimental procedure. The results were measured by help of
a microscope, recorded, and tabulated. The results were used to
plot graphical curves using the Microsoft excel spreadsheet
package. The analysis and discussion of the results was done in
relation to the preset theory. Deductions were made, conclusion
derived
from discussion
of
the analyzed
results
and
recommendations put forward in response to errors encountered
during the experiment.

1.Introduction
Hardness is the property of a material (metal) by virtue of its ability to resist
abrasion, indentation (or penetration) and scratching by harder bodies. It is the
resistance of a material to permanent deformation of the surface. In other
words, one can define it as the resistance of the metal to penetration by an
indenter. The hardness of a surface of the material is, of course, a direct result
of inter-atomic forces acting on the surface of the Material. We must note that
hardness is not a fundamental property of a material, however, but rather a
combined effect of compressive, elastic and plastic properties relative to the
mode of penetration, shape of penetrator, etc. Hardness seems to bear a fairly
constant relationship to the tensile strength of a given material and thus it can
be used as a practical non-destructive test for an approximate idea of the value
of that property and the state of the metal near the surface. All hardness tests
are made on the surface or close to it. We may note that in mechanical tests
the bulk of material is involved.
A well-structured Brinell hardness number reveals the test conditions, and
looks like this, "60 HB 10/500/30" which means that a Brinell hardness of 60
was obtained using a 10mm diameter hardened steel with a 500 kilogram load
applied for a period of 30 seconds.
Brinell hardness number is the hardness index, calculated by pressing a
hardened steel ball (indenter) into test specimen under standardized load.
Brinell hardness tests are used to determine hardness of metallic materials, to
check quality level of products, for uniformity of samples of metals, for
uniformity of results of heat treatment. The Brinell Hardness Number (BHN)
is obtained by dividing the applied force by the spherical surface area of the
indentation, i.e.

2.Procedure
The Brinell method applies a predetermined test load (F) to a
carbide ball of fixed diameter (D) which is held for a predetermined
time period and then removed. The resulting impression is
measured across at least two diameters usually at right angles to
each other and these result averaged (d). A chart is then used to
convert the averaged diameter measurement to a Brinell hardness
number. Test forces range from 500 to 3000 kgf.

Figure 1 Brinell Hardness Equipment

Figure 2 Brinell Hardness

Equipment
Figure 3 Brinell Indentation

3.Precautions
The possible reasons behind the deviations in results that should be
avoided during experiment are:
We should not vary the diameter of the indenting ball with
respect to the variation in load magnitude.
Reading error of the diameter of indentation using the
microscope.
Use of a rough steel ball surface.
Use of the steel ball on a steel specimen which is of the same
hardness. This could have caused indentation of the steel ball.
Use of rough specimen surface.

4.Conclusions
Compared to the other hardness test methods, the Brinell ball
makes the deepest and widest indentation, so the test averages
the hardness over a wider amount of material, which will more
accurately account for multiple grain structures and any
irregularities in the uniformity of the material. This method is the
best for achieving the bulk or macro-hardness of a material,
particularly those materials with heterogeneous structures.

5.References
Prof. G. O. Rading, Concise notes on Material Science, 2007, Victoria
publishers
Material science. Free download from: WWW.FaaDoOEngineers.com.