Hardness Measurement

Brinell ...... Vickers ...... Rockwell ...... Superficial Rockwell...... Scleroscope...... Knoop...... Jominy...... Moh...... Shore (Durometer) Equivalent Hardness Table (harder scales)...... Equivalent Hardness Table (softerr scales) Hardness Comparison chart...... Typical component Surface Hardness......

Methods of Measuring Hardness Brinell Hardness Test In this test a hardened steel ball is pressed into the surface of the test material using a prescribed ball. The ball and load have to be selected to suit the material being tested. The Brinell hardness test consists of indenting the test material with a 10 mm diameter hardened steel or carbide ball subjected to a load of 3000 kgf (29 430 N). For softer materials the load can be reduced to 1500 kgf (14 715 N) or 500 kgf (4 905 N ) to avoid excessive indentation. The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds for harder ferrous metals and for 30 seconds or more for other metals softer metals. The diameter of the indentation left in the test material is measured with a microscope. The Brinell hardness number is calculated by dividing the load applied by the surface area of the indentation.

D = Diameter of Ball D1 = Diameter of indentation F = applied force

Vickers Hardness Test In this test a Diamond Indenter is pressed into the surface of the material being tested. Standard loads used include 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 kgf. (49,05, 98,1 196,2 490,5 and 981 N). The load is stated in specifying the hardness number i.e HD(10) = 100. the indenter is a square based o pyramid (136 included angle )to suit the material being tested The Hardness Number HD = 1.844 x Load/ Average diagonal length of indentation

Rockwell Hardness Test In this test a Hard Steel Ball or a Diamond Cone Indenter is pressed into the surface of the material being tested/ The result of the test is read directly from machine. The indenter is forced into the test material under a preliminary minor load (98N)and after equilibrium are achieved an indicating device, which follows the movements of the indenter, is set to the datum position. An additional major load is then applied with resulting increase in penetration. The conditions are then allowed to stabilise and then the additional major load is removed,leaving the minor load in place. The resulting permanent penetration esulting from the application and removal of the additional major load is

used to calculate the Rockwell hardness number. HR = E - e

F1 = additional major e = permanent increase in depth of penetration due to major load , measured in units of 0.001 mm E = a constant of 100 units for diamond and ball indenters HR = Rockwell hardness number D = diameter of steel ball Major Load F1 E N o 100 120 Diamond cone 490.5 Indenter 1/16" steel ball
o o

Scale A B C D E F G H K L M P R S V

Applications Sheet steel ; shallow case hardened Copper, Aluminium alloys, Low Carbon Steel Most Widely Used -Hardened Steels, Cast irons etc Thin but hard steels, Ductile Iron (Pearlitic Cast Iron, Aluminium, Bearings alloys Annealed copper alloys , Soft thin metals Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, malleable irons, Lead etc Soft Metals Plastics etc Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials. Soft bearing metals, Plastics, soft materials.

882.9

130 100 100 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130 130

120 Diamond cone 1373.4 120 Diamond cone 882.9 1/8" steel ball 882.9 1/16" steel ball 490.5 1/16" steel ball 1/8" steel ball 1/8" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/2" steel ball 1/2" steel ball 1/2" steel ball 1373.4 490.5 1373.4 490.5 882.9 1373.4 490.5 882.9 1373.4

Superficial Rockwell Hardness Test A more surface sensitive measurement of hardness than for the regular Rockwell scales. This technique is useful for samples with hardness gradients at the surface, to test small areas, and for thin samples. Superficial Rockwell hardness scales are N and T for metals and W, X, and Y for non-metallic materials and coatings. The Superficial Rockwell hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a diamond cone (N scale) or hardened steel ball indenter. The indenter is forced into the test material under a preliminary minor (29.43N) and the conditions are allowed to settle. Then the indicating device that follows the movements of the indenter is set to a datum position. An additional major load, is applied with resulting increase in penetration . The conditions are allowed to settle again and then the additional major load is removed. The permanent increase in depth of penetration, resulting from the application and removal of the additional major load is used to calculate the Rockwell Superficial hardness number. HR = E - e

e = permanent increase in depth of penetration due to major load F1, measured in units of 0.001 mm

E = a constant of 100 units for diamond and ball indenters HR = Rockwell hardness number D = diameter of steel ball

Scale

Indenter

Major Load (N)

Application

Similar to C scale, but o 15N 120 Diamond cone 117.72 100 for thin materials o 30N 120 Diamond cone 264.87 100 Same as 15N 45N 120 Diamond cone 412 15T 1/16" steel ball 30T 45T 15W 30W 45W 15X 30X 45X 15Y 30Y 45Y 1/16" steel ball 1/16" steel ball 1/8" steel ball 1/8" steel ball 1/8" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/4" steel ball 1/2" steel ball 1/2" steel ball 1/2" steel ball
o

100 Same as 15N Similar to B scale, but 117.72 100 for thin materials 264.87 100 Same as 15T 412 100 Same as 15T 117.72 100 For very soft materials 264.87 100 For very soft materials 412 100 For very soft materials 117.72 100 For very soft materials 264.87 100 For very soft materials 412 100 For very soft materials 117.72 100 For very soft materials 264.87 100 For very soft materials 412 100 For very soft materials

The Shore (Scleroscope ) Hardness Test The Scleroscope test consists of dropping a diamond tipped hammer, which falls inside a glass tube under the force of its own weight from a fixed height, onto the test specimen. The height of the rebound travel of the hammer is measured on a graduated scale. The harder the material, the higher the rebound. The scale of the rebound is arbitrarily chosen and consists on Shore units, divided into 100 parts, which represent the average rebound from pure hardened high-carbon steel. The scale is continued higher than 100 to to allow for metals having greater hardness. The shore scleroscope test does not normally mark the material under test. The Shore Scleroscope measures hardness in relation to the elasticity of the material. Advantages of this method are portability and non-marking of the test surface.

Knoop The Knoop indenter has a polished rhombohedral shape with an included longitudinal angle of 172 30 and an included transverse angle of 130 0. The narrowness of the indenter makes it ideal for testing specimens with steep hardness gradients and coatings. Knoop is a better choice for hardness testing of hard brittle materials.

Jominy Hardenability The Jominy test involves heating a test specimen of steel 25mm diameter and 100mm long to an austenitising temperature and quenching from one end with a controlled and standardized jet of water. After quenching, the hardness is measured at intervals taken form the quenched end. The hardness

gradient along the test surface provides an indication of the materials hardenability.

Moh's Hardness Scale The Moh's hardness scale consists of 10 minerals arranged in order from 1 to 10. Diamond is rated as the hardest and is indexed as 10; talc as the softest with index number 1. Each mineral in the scale will scratch all those below it as follows:

Diamond Corundum Topaz Quartz Orthoclase (Feldspar) Aptite Fluorite Calcite Gypsum Talc

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Shore (Durometer) test The hardness testing of plastics is most commonly measured by the Shore (Durometer) test. This test measures the resistance of the plastic toward indentation. The scale provide an empirical hardness value that doesn't relate directly to the mechanical properties of the material being tested. Shore Hardness, using either the Shore A or Shore D scale, is the preferred method for rubbers/elastomers and is also commonly used for 'softer' plastics such as polyolefins, fluoropolymers, and vinyls. The Shore A scale is used for 'softer' rubbers while the Shore D scale is used for 'harder' rubbers. The Shore hardness is measured with an apparatus known as a Durometer and consequently is also known as 'Durometer hardness'. The hardness value is determined by the penetration of the Durometer indenter foot into the sample. If the indenter completely penetrates the sample, a reading of 0 is obtained, and if no penetration occurs, a reading of 100 results. Because of the resilience of rubbers and plastics, the hardness reading my change over time - so the indentation time is sometimes reported along with the hardness number. The test method is identified in standard ISO 868. The results obtained from this test are a useful measure of relative resistance to indentation of various grades of polymers. However, the Shore Durometer hardness test does not serve well as a predictor of other properties such as strength or resistance to scratches, abrasion, or wear, and should not be used alone for product design specifications.

Tables showing the comparative hardness numbers between scales is provided at site the following sites..... 1. 2. Gordon England..... Corrosion Products Handbook

Equivalent Hardness Conversion Tables

Harder Scales VPN DPH A HV/10 1865 92 1787 1710 1633 1556 1478 1400 1323 1245 1160 1076 1004 940 900 865 832 800 772 746 720 697 674 653 633 613 595 577 560 544 528 513 498 484 471 458 446 434 423 412 402 392 382 372 363 354 345 336 92 91 91 90 90 89 89 88 87 87 86 86 85 85 84 84 83 83 82 81 81 80 80 79 79 78 78 77 77 76 75 75 74 74 73 73 72 72 71 71 70 70 69 69 68 68 120 120 119 119 118 117 117 116 116 115 115 114 113 113 112 112 111 110 110 109 109 108 ROCKWELL SCALES B C 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 D 87 86 85 84 83 83 82 81 80 80 79 78 77 76 75 75 74 73 72 72 71 70 69 69 68 67 66 65 65 64 63 62 61 61 60 59 59 58 57 56 55 55 54 53 52 52 51 G ROCKWELL Superficial 15N 97 96 96 96 96 95 95 95 95 94 94 94 93 93 93 92 92 91 91 91 90 90 89 89 88 88 87 87 86 86 86 85 85 84 84 83 83 82 82 81 80 80 79 79 78 78 77 30N 92 92 91 91 90 89 89 88 87 87 86 85 84 84 83 82 81 80 79 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 45N 87 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 64 63 62 61 60 59 57 56 55 54 53 51 50 49 48 47 46 44 43 42 41 40 38 37 36 739 722 705 688 670 654 634 615 595 577 560 543 523 512 496 481 469 455 443 432 421 409 400 390 381 371 362 353 344 336 327 319 101 99 97 95 92 91 88 87 85 83 81 80 78 76 75 74 72 71 69 68 67 66 64 63 62 60 58 57 56 55 54 52 51 50 49 48 47 2206 2137 2069 2000 1944 1889 1834 1772 1689 1648 1607 1565 1524 1496 1462 1420 1379 1351 1317 1289 1255 1220 1193 1165 1138 1103 1076 BRINELL BHN BHN 500kg 3000kg SCLEROU.T.S. SCOPE MPa

327 318 310 302 294 286 279 272 266 260 254 248 243 238 VPN DPH HV/10

67 67 66 66 65 65 64 64 63 63 62 62 61 61

108 107 106 105 104 104 103 103 102 101 100 99 98 97

33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20

50 49 48 48 47 46 45 45 44 43 42 42 41 40 91 91 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 81 79 78

77 76 76 75 75 74 73 73 72 72 71 71 70 69

53 52 51 50 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 42

35 34 33 31 30 29 28 27 26 24 23 22 21 20 201 195 189 184

311 301 294 286 279 271 264 258 253 247 240 234 228 222

46 44 43 42 41 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 35 34

1048 1014 993 965 945 917 889 869 855 834 814 793 772 752

ROCKWELL SCALES A B C D G

ROCKWELL Superficial 15N 30N 45N

BRINELL BHN BHN 500kg 3000kg

SCLEROU.T.S. SCOPE MPa

Softer Scales VPN DPH HV/10 234 230 226 222 217 213 208 204 200 196 192 188 184 180 176 172 168 164 160 156 152 148 144 141 139 A 60 59 59 58 58 58 57 57 56 56 56 55 54 54 53 53 52 51 51 50 50 49 49 48 47 B 97 96 96 95 95 94 93 92 92 91 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 ROCKWELL SCALES C 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 E F G 77 76 75 74 73 73 71 70 69 68 66 64 63 61 59 58 56 54 53 51 49 48 46 44 43 H K ROCKWELL Superficial 15T 30T 45T 92 92 92 92 92 91 91 100 91 100 91 100 90 99 98 97 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 91 90 89 88 87 90 90 90 89 89 89 88 88 88 87 87 87 86 86 86 80 80 80 79 79 79 78 78 77 77 76 76 75 75 74 74 73 72 72 71 70 70 69 68 68 69 68 68 67 67 66 66 65 64 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 BRINELL BHN BHN 500kg 3000kg 181 179 177 175 171 169 167 163 162 160 157 154 151 148 145 142 140 137 135 133 130 128 126 124 122 218 214 210 208 205 203 200 195 193 190 185 180 176 172 169 165 162 159 156 153 150 147 144 141 139 34 33 33 32 31 31 30 30 29 28 27 26 26 26 25 25 25 24 24 24 SCLEROU.T.S. SCOPE MPa 738 731 717 703 690 683 676 662 655 641 627 607 593 579 572 558 545 538 524 517 503

137 135 132 130 127 125 123 120 118 116 115 114 113 112 111 110 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 100 99 98 97 96 95 95 94 93 92 91 90 90 89 88 88 87 87 86 86 85 85 84 84 83 83 82

47 46 46 45 45 44 44 43 43 42 42 42 41 41 40 40 39 39 38 38 38 37 37 36 36 35 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 31 30 30 29 29 28 28 28 27 27 26 26 25 25 24 24

75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24

100 41 99 99 98 100 98 100 97 99 98 98 97 96 96 95 95 94 93 93 92 91 91 90 90 89 88 88 87 87 86 85 85 84 84 83 82 82 81 80 80 79 79 78 77 77 76 76 75 74 74 73 73 72 71 96 96 95 95 94 94 93 92 92 91 91 90 90 89 88 88 87 87 86 86 85 85 84 83 83 82 82 81 81 80 79 79 78 78 77 77 76 75 75 74 74 73 73 72 71 71 39 38 36 35 33 31 30 28 27 25 24 22 21 19 18 16 15 13 12 10 9 7 6 4 3

86 85 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 58 57 56 55 54 53 100 52 100 52 99 99 99 98 98 98 97 97 97 96 96 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 45 44 42 42

85 85 85 84 84 84 83 83 83 82 82 82 81 81 81 81 80 80 80 79 79 79 78 78 78 77 77 77 76 76 76 75 75 75 74 74 74 73 73 73 72 72 72 71 71 71 70 70 70 69 69 69

67 66 66 65 64 64 63 62 62 61 60 60 59 58 57 57 56 55 55 54 53 53 52 51 51 50 49 49 48 47 46 46 45 44 44 43 42 42 41 40 40 39 38 38 37 36 36 35 34 33 33 32

49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

120 118 116 114 112 110 109 107 106 104 102 101 99 98 96 95 94 92 91 90 89 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 79 78 77 76 75 74 74 73 72 71 71 70 69 68 68 67 66 66 65 65 64 64

137 135 132 130 127 125 123 121 119 117 116 114 112 110 108 107 106 104 102 101 99

82 81 81 80 80 79 79 78 78 77 77 76 76 75 75 74 74 73 73 72 72 71 71 70 VPN DPH HV/10

24 23 23 22 22 21 21 21 20

23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

71 70 70 69 68 68 67 67 66 65 65 64 64 63 62 62 61 61 60 59 59 58 58 57

70 70 69 69 68 67 67 66 66 65 65 64 64 63 62 62 61 61 60 60 59 58 58 57

96 95 95 95 94 94 93 93 93 92 92 92 91 91 91 90 90 90 89 89 88 88 88 87

41 40 39 38 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 23 22 21

68 68 68 68 67 67 67 66 66 66 65 65 65 64 64 64 63 63 63 62 62 62 61 61

31 31 30 29 29 28 27 26 26 25 24 24 23 22 22 21 20 20 19 18 17 17 16 15

63 63 62 62 61 61 60 60 59 59 58 58 57 57 56 56 56 55 55 55 54 54 53 53 BRINELL BHN BHN 500kg 3000kg SCLEROU.T.S. SCOPE MPa

ROCKWELL SCALES A B C E F G H K

ROCKWELL Superficial 15T 30T 45T

Figure comparing hardness scales

Table of Components showing relevant surface Hardness values Important Notes: Values below are typical of high specification components.. Lower values are likely in more general applications... Component Hardness Scale

Hardened Track for 670-840 Roller Hardened Machine 70-75 slideway Surface Hardened Gear (High spc'n) 58-63

HV HS RC HV HV RC RA

Modern Rails (Used 300-340 for Normal traffic) Modern Rails (High 340 -420 Duty) Shear Blades 81-85 Carbide Dies (Drawing , Forming 80-92 etc)

Mild steel components Wrought iron Axe Fork/Rake Kitchen knife Stainless table knife Hammer Face Chisel File Drill Bit HSS Drill Bit Cobalt

120 102 600 700 680 550 660 600 60-61 63-65 66-67

HV HV HV HV HV HV HV HV RC RC RC

Links Providing Relevant Information 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Gordon England ..Thermal Spraying Specialist with detailed information on Hardness Testing / Corrosion Hardness Testers..Equipment supplier with detailed information on Hardness Testing / Corrosion Materials Co UK - Rubber Hardness Testing..Useful Notes and references NPL - Hardness Testing..Authoritative source of information on hardness testing (use search to find) Cambridge U. Jominy Test..Jominy test example with not Material Hardness..A very detailed document covering most hardness testing methods

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