Brinell Hardness Test

Aim of The Expt.:- To determine the hardness of a given Specimen by Brinell Hardness Tester. Apparatus required:1). Brinell Hardness Tester. 2). Test Specimen. 3). Microscope Theory:Hardness:- The resistance of a metal to plastic deformation, usually by indentation. However the term may also refers to stiffness or temper or to resistance to scratching, abrasion or cutting. Indentation hardness may be measured by various hardness test. Brinell hardnes test is one of them. Brinell Hardness Test:- An indentation hardness test using calibrated machines to force a hard steel ball, under specified conditions of load and time, into the surface of the material under test and to measure the diameter of the resulting impression after release of the load. The Brinell Hardness is specified by HB.

Brinell Hardness, HB =

TestLoad Surfaceareaofindentation
=

D D D d
2

2F
2

N / mm 2

Where D = Specified diameter of the hardened steel ball in mm. d = Average diameter of the impression. F = Test Load. Procedure:This test consist of indenting the surface of the metal by a hardened steel ball of specified diameter D mm under a given load FN and measuring the average diameter d mm of the impression by Brinell microscope fitted with a scale. The Brinell Hardness HB is defined as the quation of applied force F divided by spherical area of the impression. For a given ball of given diameter, it has been found that the Brinell Hardness number varies with the load. For a given test specimen material, thickness and hardness range, the ball diameter and load is specified. In this test the load should be applied slowly and progressively to the specimen at right angle to the surface and full load maintained for a period of 15 seconds. The ratio of the diameter of the impression to that of the ball should be preferably lie between 0.30 and 0.50 and should not exceed 0.60. the hardness of the ball should not be less than 850 HV 10. Depth of impression, h (mm) =

F D HB

Tabulation:Dia. of impressions, mm Test No. d1 1 2 d2 d =1/2(d1 + d2) Brinell hardness N/mm2

Calculation:-

Precautions:1) Select the proper size of the ball and load to suit the material under test. 2) The test specimen surface should be sufficiently smooth and free from any defects or blemishes. 3) The surface under test should be mounted at right angles to the axis of the ball indenter shaft or plunger. 4) Occasionally turn the ball around the chuck to minimize error due to minute distortion of the ball. 5) Do not apply the ordinary Brinell test for thin materials or to surface exceeding 5000HB. Conclusion:- The mean value of Brinell Hardness =_______________.

Indenter D Test Specimen h Test Table