Section 1: Hardness Test:

Hardness is defined by the University at Buffalos Department o Civil, Structural, and

Environmental Engineering as, The property of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation,
usually by penetration. That being said we can use a Rockwell Hardness test to determine this number.

Figure 1 Shows a Rockwell Hardness Machine,

(http://www.metalkorea.or.kr/measurable/images/HR-150DT.gif)
When considering hardness and the main mechanical property it is easy to understand once the
hardness is clearly defined how these two factors correlate. Now defining material properties, we look to
the NDT Education Resource Center who defines material properties as being, Used to help classify and
identify material. The most common properties considered are strength, ductility, hardness, impact
resistance, and fracture toughness. So now we understand clearly that hardness defines the main
mechanical property by classifying materials by one of many different tests, Rockwell hardness is just one
of many test that could be used. This being said lets use the Rockwell machine to test three separate
materials to determine their hardness.

Original Test Results from Rockwell Hardness Machine:

Specimen
Type A

1st Reading

2nd Reading

3rd Reading

4th Reading

Average Reading

104.5 kgf

104 kgf

104 kgf

104.5 kgf

104.25 kgf

104 kgf

102 kgf

100 kgf

102 kgf

102 kgf

100.75 kgf

101 kgf

100 kgf

101 kgf

100.7 kgf

(Diamond
plating)
Type B
(Ring)
Type C
(Sheet)

Now using a hardness conversion chart we can determine the tensile strength of each materials.

Converted Rockwell Hardness Test results in MPA in Tensile Strength (PSI):

Specimen
Type A

1st Reading

2nd Reading

3rd Reading

4th Reading

Average Reading

135 MPA

133 MPA

133 MPA

135 MPA

134 MPA

133 MPA

124 MPA

116 MPA

124 MPA

124.25 MPA

120 MPA

121 MPA

116 MPA

121 MPA

119.5 MPA

(Diamond
plating)
Type B
(Ring)
Type C
(Sheet)

When looking at these numbers we can determine the differences in the materials themselves in
regards to their individual tensile strength numbers. Using just the averages we can see that the Diamond
plating, Type A, is harder than the other two materials. We can also see that the Sheet metal, or Type C, is
more prone to breaking under tension than the other two materials.
This is valuable information in determining the amount of resistance a material can handle under
stress. It can also, as stated above, help us classify a material.

Works Cited

"Hardness Conversion Char." Hardness Conversion Char. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.

<https://www.carbidedepot.com/formulas-hardness.htm>.
"HARDNESS TEST." HARDNESS TEST. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://civil.eng.buffalo.edu/cie616/2LECTURES/Lecture 4a - Material Testing/HARDNESS TEST.pdf>.
"Rockwell Hardness Tester/ Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Micro Hardness Tester, Handheld Hardness
Tester, Ultrasonic Thickness Gage, Digital Display Profile Projector, Measurement Tester Information
Internet Website." Rockwell Hardness Tester/ Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Micro Hardness Tester,
Handheld Hardness Tester, Ultrasonic Thickness Gage, Digital Display Profile Projector, Measurement
Tester Information Internet Website. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.metalkorea.or.kr/measurable/Rockwell.html>.
"Mechanical Properties." Mechanical Properties. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <https://www.ndeed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Materials/Mechanical/Mechanical.htm>.
"Hardness Converstion Rockwell B Chart." Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
<https://moreheadstate.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-1911605-dt-content-rid9305228_2/courses/59027.IET307301.ON.2015SP/Hardness Test Charts [02-14-15](1).pdf>.