Qassim University ‫جامعـة القصيـم‬

Unaizah College of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة بعنيزة‬

Mechanical Engineering Dept.
‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

ME 252
Engineering Materials Lab.
Semester: 382

Experiment # 5

Hardness Test

By:

Member Name PIN

1 Omar Ahmed Ali 341116387

2 Faisal Alassaf 342104878

Instructor:
Dr.Waleed El-Garaihy

Date: 14 / 3 / 2018
 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

Table of Contents

Title Page
Objectives 2
Abstract 2
Introduction 3
Methodology 8
Results 9
Discussion 9
Conclusions 9
References 10

List of Figures

Figure Title Page

1 Indentation of hardness test 3

2 Rockwell Hardness test 5

3 Brneil Hardnest test 6

4 Vickers Hardness Test 7

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

1. Objectives
 The definition of Hardness.
 The different types of testing Hardness.

2. Abstract

The mechanical properties of materials are ascertained by performing

carefully designed laboratory experiments that replicate, as nearly as practical,
the service conditions. Factors to be considered include the nature of the applied
load(s), its’ duration and the applicable environmental conditions. It is possible
for the load to be tensile, compressive, or shear and its magnitude may be
constant with time, or it may fluctuate continuously. Application time may be
for only a fraction of a second, or it may extend over a period of many years.
Service temperature can also be an important factor. Mechanical properties are
of concern to a variety of parties (e.g., producers and material consumers,
research organizations and government agencies) that have differing interests.
Consequently, it is imperative that there be some consistency in the manner in
which tests are conducted, and in the interpretation of their results. This
consistency is accomplished by using standardized testing techniques.
Establishment and publication of these standards are often coordinated by
professional societies. In the United States, the most active organization is the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); its Annual Book of
ASTM Standards comprises numerous volumes that are updated yearly. A large
number of the ASTM Standards are related directly to mechanical testing
techniques including specifications for measuring the hardness and impact
properties of materials.

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

3. Introduction

Hardness test is a measure of the resistance focusing in plastic

deformation induced by either mechanical indentation or abrasion. Some
materials for example metals are harder than others such as plastic .
There are three main types of hardness measurements there is scratch
and indentation also a rebound in our case we are focusing in
indentation .

Figure 1 : indentation of hardness test [1]

as we can see on the samples there are some shapes on the
samples that look like a hole , that is indentation , Also , we can say

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

indentation is a deep recess or notch on the edge or surface of

something.

There are three types of hardness test :

 Rockwell hardness test

Rockwell hardness test is the most commonly used hardness test

method .The Rockwell test is generally easier to perform, and more
accurate than other types of hardness testing methods. The
Rockwell test method is used on all types of metals, except in
some cases where the test metal structure or surface conditions
would introduce too much difference where the indentations results
would be wrong.

The Rockwell method measures the permanent depth of

indentation produced by a force/load on an indenter. First, a force
is applied (98.1 N) to a sample using a diamond or ball indenter.
This load breaks through the surface to reduce the effects of
surface finish. After holding the force for a specified l time, the
depth of indentation is measured.

After putting an additional force is added to reach the total required

test load. This force is held for a predetermined amount of time to
allow for elastic recovery. This force is then released, After holding
the preliminary test force for a specified dwell time, the final depth

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

of indentation is measured. The Rockwell hardness value is

derived from the difference in the baseline and final depth

Figure 2: Rockwell hardness test [2]

 Brinell hardness test
Most commonly it is used to test materials that have a structure that is
too coarse or that have a surface that is too rough to be tested using
another test method. Brinell testing often use a very high test load
(3000 kgf) and a 10mm diameter indenter .

The Brinell method applies a predetermined test load (F) to a carbide

ball of fixed diameter (D) which is held for some amount of time and
then removed. The result is measured with a specially designed
Brinell microscope Although the calculation below can be used to
generate the Brinell number.

Common test forces range from 500kgf often used for non-ferrous
materials to 3000kgf usually used for steels and cast iron. There are
other Brinell scales with load as low as 1kgf and 1mm diameter
indenters but these are infrequently used [5].

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

Figure 3 Brinell hardness test [3]

D = Ball diameter

d = impression diameter

F = load

HB = Brinell result

 Vickers hardness test

Vickers hardness testused for small parts, thin sections, or case
depth work.

The Vickers method is based on an optical measurement system.

The Microhardness test procedure, using a diamond indenter to
make an indentation which is measured and converted to a
hardness value. It is very useful for testing on a wide type of
materials, but test samples must be highly polished to enable
measuring the size of the impressions. A square base pyramid
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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

shaped diamond is used for testing in the Vickers scale. Typically

loads are very light, ranging from 10gm to 1kgf, although "Macro"
Vickers loads can range up to 30 kg or more.

The Microhardness methods are used to test on metals, ceramics,

composites - almost any type of material.

Since the test indentation is very small in a Vickers test, it is useful

for a variety of applications: testing very thin materials like foils or
measuring the surface of a part, small parts or small areas,
Sectioning is usually necessary with a microhardness test .

Often the prepared samples are mounted in a plastic medium to

facilitate the preparation and testing.

Figure 4 : Vickers Hardness Test [4]

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

4. Methodology
1) First, the Rockwell indenter was chosen and was fixed in the main
rod tester.

2) 2. The front lever arm of the tester was kept vertically which was
set position.

3) The test specimen was placed on the anvil.The hand wheel was
slowly turned until the test specimen was in contact with the anvil.

4) As soon as the test specimen touched the tip of intended the hand
wheel was stopped and the small wheel on the left side of the
tester was rotated so that the tip of the dial came at zero position.

5) The load was set to 100kg and scale were chosen was Rockwell B.

6) Now the lever was moved to test position. Which applied 100kg
weight on the test specimen.

7) On application of load the dial moved and settled at certain reading

after 15 to 20 seconds.

8) This reading showed the depth of impression and not the required
hardness number

9) The lever was returned to set position. Which removed the 100 kg
load on the specimen. The dial again moved and settled at spot
showed the hardness number

10) The result was recorded and readings were taken 3 times.

11) we had Repeat the same experiment two more times on different
samples and third-time diamond intender was used.

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

5. Results
The results shown in Table.1 :-

Table:1

6. Discussion
Here we can see different scales of Rockwell hardness test along with the
applications on different materials. In scale of the applications are aluminum,
copper, soft steel, and malleable iron.so its clear that specimen 1 and 2 could be
any one from aluminum, copper, soft steel and malleable iron.

7. Conclusions and Discussion

hardness test is easily influenced by the cleanliness and

consistency of the machine and the specimen. Dirt or dust build-up
on the anvil can result in incorrect results, as can grime or
oxidation on the specimen. Also, while a single specimen can be
tested many times if the size is sufficient, proximity to previous
indentations and to the edges of the sample can affect results.
Impurities or inconsistent shape in the indenter, particularly for the
steel-ball indenter, will yield incorrect values, too. Beyond material
factors.

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 ME 252: Engineering Materials Lab. Semester 382
Experiment 5: Hardness Test

8. References
[1] https://www.engineeringclicks.com/vickers-hardness-test/
[2] https://www.gordonengland.co.uk/hardness/rockwell.htm
[3] ] http://www.hardnesstesters.com/test-types/brinell-hardness-testing
[4]https://sites.google.com/site/gobanengineeringnotes/materials-
testing/hardness-testing/vickers-hardness-test
[5] http://www.hardnesstesters.com/test-types/brinell-hardness-testing

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