Summary

Knowing the elastic and plastic properties of the materials, and how to use the different
methods to test the disparate materials is the objective of the lab hardness testing. In the hardness
testing lab, students will come into contact with three different methods of hardness testing, which used
in this lab are the Rockwell, Brinell hardness and Microhardness tests. Recognizing commonly used
hardness scales and numbers, students understand the correlation between hardness and the properties
of materials. Furthermore, students can learn the advantages and limitations of the common hardness
test methods.
Introduction
The hardness testing is commonly used as a comparison between treatments and materials,
which is widely used in inspection and control. Hardness testing, which describes the resistance to
deformation, is an ordinary method to present the mechanical properties of materials. By using an
indenter with fixed load, the size of the indentation is comparative to the materials hardness. In the
Rockwell testing, students primarily measures the depth of indentation of the samples, and they usually
measure the area of the indentation of specimen in Brinell hardness and Microhardness tests, which are
the most common techniques for determining the hardness of materials.
Equipment List
The Hounsfield tensometer
Aluminum
Brass

Procedure
Rockwell hardness test
1.

Select the correct combination of indenters and loads because different scales use different
combinations.
Note: The Rockwell C scale using a diamond indenter and a 150kg load, is used used for hard
steel. The B scale with a 1.6mm (1/16) diameter ball and 100kg load is used for softer steel and
nonferrous metals.

2.

Place the sample on the anvil.

3.

Slowly turn the wheel spokes clockwise, this raises the anvil and sample toward the penetrator tip.
After contact is gently made, continue raising sample until small needle points the top of the
triangle, and adjust the dial plant for making sure that the large needle points SET line.

4.

Depress trip lever. This triggers the mechanism that applies the major load. Crank will
automatically move away.

5.

After the crank has come to reset, gently pull back the crank toward the opposite side as far as it
will go.

6.

Record the scale reading for large pointer.

7.

If the reading exceeds C scale range, use B scale repeat above procedure.

8.

Use different specimen and repeat above steps.

Brinell hardness test

1.

Set the required load on the dial (750kg load for steel, 250kg for brass, 125kg for Aluminum).

2.

Fix specimens between the clamp and the ball penetrator.

3.

Pull the load knob and apply the appropriate timing (15s) at that load level.

4.

Release the load by pushing the load knob into the initial position.

5.

Remove the sample and measure the diameter of the indentation with the Brinell Microscope.

6.

Determine and record in tabular form the hardness of the sample.

7.

Repeat above steps for other specimens.

Microhardness test
1.

Select appropriate load and dwell time (50s), then clamp securely the specimen in the jaws.

2.

Move the table and make sure that the clearance between the diamond indenter tip and the
specimen surface is about 1.0mm.

3.

Select the low magnification by rotating the turret, and focus the specimen by rotating the table
elevating handle slowly.
Note: Do not let the objective lens touch the surface specimen.

4.

Select the higher magnification and refocus the specimen and select the precise spot.

5.

Rotate the turret slowly and bring the indenter above the specimen.
Note: the clearance between the diamond indenter tip and the specimen surface should be less than
1.0 mm.

6.

Press the Start Key and the loading light will come on. Wait till the loading light turns off.

7.

Rotate the turret and select the high magnification. Focus the indentation.

8.

Rotate the left knob on the filar eyepiece to align the inside of the left measurement line to the left
edge of the indentation.

9.

Rotate the right knob on the filar eyepiece to align the inside of the right measurement line to the
right edge of the indentation. Read the diagonal.

10. Rotate the filar eyepiece at right angle and repeat the steps of adjustment. Read the diagonal and
record.
11. Test other specimens and record.