Experiment -5

OBJECT:To determine the hardness of the given specimen using BrinellHardness Testing Machine
MATERIAL &EQUIPMENTS: Brinell Hardness Testing Machine, mild steel /cast iron/nonferrous metals,
optical microscope

THEORY: Hardness has been described by the words vigorous, stout, rugged, hardy, firm and compact. It is
a surface property. It is closely associated with material structure, composition and other material
proprties. In technology, hardness has been measured in various ways, and depending upon the field of
science and engineering considered, hardness measures different properties.
The hardness test consists of measuringthe resistance to plastic deformation of layers of material near the
surface of specimen. Hardness may represent the ability of a material to resist scratching, cutting,
indentation (penetration) or abrasion (mechanical wear).

In mineralogy and ceramics, the ability to resist scratching is used as a measure of hardness.
In structural and machine parts applications such as rails, gears, axles, the ability to resist
indentation is desirable.
When machine components subjected to wear is considered, e.g., piston rings of an IC engine the
ability to resist abrasion is important. The cylinder replacement in an IC engine will be costly
compared to ring replacement; therefore, proper care is taken while selecting the materials of piston
rings and cylinder.
When machinability quality of a material is under the consideration, the resistance to cutting is
measured.

Hardenability indicates the degree of hardness that can be imparted to a metal particularly steel, by the
process of, hardening. It determines the depth and distribution of hardness induced by quenching. Hardness
is associated with strength, while hardenability is associated with the transformation characteristics of
steel.

Brittleness of a material is the property of breaking or shattering without much permanent distortion.
There are many materials which shatter before much deformation takes place; such materials are brittle.
Glass and cast iron are good examples of brittle material. The lack of. ductility is commonly called
brittleness.

The three most important forms of hardness test are:

Brinell hardness test

Rockwel hardness test

MED, M. M. M. University of Technology, GORAKHPUR - 273 010 (U.P.) 27

 Vicker hardness test
Ihe specimen taken for
these test may be cylinder, cube,
thick or thin metallic sheet.
BRINELL HARDNESS TEST
Ihe Brinell hardness test is
the most
(Figure 1) a hardened steel ball is commonly adopted test for hardness of iron and steel. In this test
short period. The impressed on a flat polished surface of the
measurement of diameter of sample under a load for a
calculation Brinell hardness number from the
of impression circle by means of microscope is used for the
folowing equation:
BHN Load on the ball . 2P
Area of indentation
nD(D-D? -d')
Where, P Load applied, Kg
D
diameter of balk, mm
d
diameter of ball impression, mm
The harder the metal, the
higher its Brinell number will be.
indentation size and hardness numbers are Sometimes a table in which load, indenter size,
Number.
correlated, may be used for direct reading of Brinell
Hardness

Jindenter

specimen

d indentation

Figure 1 Brinell Principle of Testing

The Brinell test suffers from some serious disadvantages:

(i). It produces fairly large indentation, particularly on soft materials.

(ii). It can not be used near the edge of the
specimen.

AED. M. M. M. University of Technology, GORAKHPUR - 273 010 (U.P) 28

 BRINELL HARDNESS TESTING MACHINE
The Brinell testing machine is shown in Figure 2. The test uses diamond or steel ball as indentor. The Table|
shows hardness range and load stages in Brinell hardness test. The typical specifications of this machine
may be:

Maximum ability of hardness 500BHN (Brinell Hardness Number)

Diameter of indenter ball 2.5 mm. 5 mm and 10 mm
Maximum applicable load 30D or 3000 Kg

Direct reading
dial in rockwell
test
Body

Ball within ball

Specimen holder

Support för
specimen
Push button
Jack for loading

Jack adjustment
wheel

Switch Load release

lever

Figure 2 Brinell-cum-Rockwell hardness testing machine

Table Hardness Range and Load stages in Brinell Hardness Test
SN Material
Hardness Range Load, P
(BHN) Kg/m? (Kg)
1 Soft iron, steel, steel casting, cast iron, malleable iron 67-500 30 D
Light alloys, Die casting alloys, Casting and forging 22-315 5 D?
alloys, brass and bronze
3. Al, Mg, Zn, Cast brass
11-158 5D
4. Bearing Materials 6-78 2.5 D
5. Lead, Tin soft solder 3-39 1.25 D

MED, M. M. M. University of Technology, GORAKHPUR - 273 010 (U.P.)

29
 PROCEDURE
1.
Insert ball of diameter D in the ball holder of machine and
tight it.
2 Make the specimen surface clean by removing the dust,
dirt, oilor grease.
3 Put the appropriate supply switch in ONposition.
4 Make contact between the specimen surface and indenter ball
by rotating the adjustment wheel.
Light indicating bulb will go-off as soon as the
5.
contact is made.
Apply the load gradually by pushing the required button for
6. minimum 30 seconds.
Remove the specimen and locate the indentation area on the
7. specimen.
Measure the diameter of indentation circle through optical
microscope or any other device.
Repeat the operation, at least three times at different
locations on the same specimen.
OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

Material of test specimen

Table Il Load Applied and Diameter of Indentation

Test BallDiameter Load Applied Indentation diameter viewed
No. D Actual diameter of
on microscope of magnification 10 X
(mm) indentation
(Ke) (mm) (mm)
1. 5 30 D' or 750 30.5
30.5/10 =3.05
2

3
Note: Refer Table lfor the load to be applied

Brinell Hardness Number is calculated as

Load on the ball 2P

BHN =
Area of indentation
zD(D-VD' -d')
RESULT

The hardness of given steel specimen is......... BHN.

PRECAUTIONS

1 The specimen should be smooth, clean and free from dirt, grease
and defects.
2 Load should be applied gradually.
3 Measure the indentation diameter carefully by rotating the specimen for two to three
locations if
diameter is not perfectly circular. Take mean diameter.
4 The thickness of specimen shouBd not be ess than 10 tímes the expected depth of
indentation.

MED, M. M. M. University of Technology, GORAKHPUR - 273 010(U.P) 30

 5. The observations should be made at sufficient distance from
previous reading (at least 4 d) and 2.5
d from the edge of the
specimen.

QUESTIONS FOR VIVA

1 Define hardness and hardenability.
2 What is brittleness? Explain with suitable example.
3 Which is the hardest known material?
4
What should be thickness of specimen in Brinell hardness test?
5.
Can we predict the tensile strength of a material if its BHN is known?
6. What are the recommended ballsizes in Brinell hardness test as per the BIS code?
7. What is the limitation of Brinell hardness test and why?

University of Technology, GORAKHPUR- 273 010 (U.P) 31

MED, M. M. M.