\

UDC 620’179’152’42 IS : 5072 - 1988

Indian Standard ( Reaffirmed 1999 )

METHOD FOR
ROCKWELL SUPERFICIAL HARDNESS TEST
( SCALE 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T AND 45T)
( First Revision )

1. scope - This standard specifies the method for Rockwell superficial hardness test (scales and
hardness range according to Table 1 for metallic materials ).

TABLE 1 HARDNESS RANGE

( Clauses 1, 2.1 and4.1 )
Hardness Hardness Type of Indenter Preliminary Additional Total Test Hardness
Scale Symbol Test Force, Test Force, Force, Range

N&f) N ( :-& ) N ( kFgf)

15N HRISN Diamond cone 29.42 (3) 117’7(12) 147’1(15) 70-94 HRI 5N

30N HR30N Diamond cone 29’42 (3) 264’8(27) 294’2(30) 42-86 HRBON

45N HR45N Diamond cone 29’42 (3) 411’9(42) 441’3(45) 20-77 H R45N

15T HR15T Steel ball I’587 5 mm 29.42 (3) 117’7(12) 147’1 (I 5) 67-93 HRI 5T

30T HR30T Steel ball 1’587 5 mm 29’42 (3) 264‘8(27) 294’2(30) 29-82 HRBOT
:
C
45T HR45T Steel ball 1’587 5 mm 29’42 (3) 411’9(42) 441’3(45) I-72 HR45T

1.1 The hardness range for each scale and test force is dependent on the hardness and thickness of
the test piece or surface layer tested. Guidance for tne choice of scale is given in Fig. 1.

-g 1.2
E

; 1.0

k 08
e

FIG. 1 MINIMUM THICKNESS OF THE TEST PIECE IN RELATION TD THE

ROCKWELL SUPERFICIAL HARDNESS

Adopted I5 December 1988 0 July 1989, BIS Gr 3

I I
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN. 9 ~AHADuR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
F(EW DELHI 110002
IS : 5072 - 1988

2. Symbols and Designations

2.1 The symbols and designations are as given in Tables 1 and 2 and Fig. 2 and 3.

JRFACE OF
EST PIECE

& T - DATUM LINE

100 i /
1

-.2
0

.___ 1 __
0

FIG. 2 TEST WITH DIAMOND CONE

SURFACE OF TEST PIECE

100 I
-c?
b
-DATUM LINE

__-_-__-- ____-- ___-___

-e-
2
ww
z 2-l
aa
~~_____A‘___
0

t 3 -_-----------_-_ i ____--_
\

FIG. 3 TEST WITH STEEL BALL

2
 IS:5072 -1988

TABLE 2 SYMBOLS AND DESIGNATIONS

( Clause 2.1 )
Symbols Designations
Angle of the diamond cone
: Radius of curvature at the tip of the diamond cone
Diameter of steel ball
Fr Preliminary test force
4 Additional test force
F Total test force
ho Depth of indentation under preliminary test force before the application of
additional test force
hl Increase in depth of indentation under additional test force
e Permanent increase of depth of indentation under Preliminary test force after
the removal of additional test force, expressed in units of 0.001 mm
HR. N
HR...T 1 Rockwell superficial hardness = 100-e

2.2 The rockwell superficial hardness is denoted by the symbol HR preceded by the hardness value
and supplemented by a number representing the total test force, and a letter together indicating the
scale.

Example :
70 HRSON = Rockwell superficial hardness of 70 measured on the 30N scale with a total
force of 294’2 N.

3. Principle - An indenter ( diamond cone or steel ball ) is forced into the surface of a test piece in
two steps under specified conditions (see 6 1, and the permanent increase e of depth of indentation is
measured. The unit of measurement for e is 0’001 mm. From the value of e, a number known as
Rockwell superifical hardness is derived.

4. Apparatus

4.1 Testing Machine - Capable of applying a predetermined force as shown in Table 1, and in
accordance with IS : 5073-1988 ‘Method for verification of Rockwell superficial hardness testing
machines ( Scales 15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T and 45T) (first revision)‘.

4.2 Sphero-Conical Diamond Indenter - In accordance with IS : 5073-I 988 having an angle of 120”
and radius of curvature at tip of 0’200 mm.

4.3 Steel Ball Indenter - With a diameter of 1’587 5 mm, and in accordance with IS : 5073-1988.

4.4 Measuring Device - In accordance with IS : 5073-1988.

5. Test Piece

5.1 The test shall be carried out on a surface which is smooth and even, free from oxide scale, foreign
matter and, in particular, completely free from lubricants ( except for tests on some reactive materials,
such as, titanium, where lubricants may be required ). If lubricants have been used, it shall be stated
in the test report.
Note - Titanium tends to adhere to the tip of the diamond cone indenter. Reoeated testing of titanium can result
in a build-up of material on the indenter which can adversely affect the accuracy of test results. This build-up also
causes the force on the indenter to be uneven, often shortening its useful life. A thin film of lubricant, such as,
kerosene, has been found to be effective in preventing this problem.

5.2 Preparation shall be carried out in such a way that any alteration of the surface hardness due to
hot or cold-working is minimized.

5.3 After the test, no deformation shall be visible on the surface of the test piece opposite the
indentation.

The minimum thickness of the test piece or of the layer under test is about ten times of the depth
of indentation ( see Fig. 1 and 6.2 ).

5.4 For tests on convex cylindrical surfaces, the corrections given in the Tables 3 or 4 shall be applied,
in the absence of corrections for tests on spherical and concave surfaces, tests on such surfaces should
be subject to special agreement.

3
 IS : 5072 - 1988

5.5 Special care should be taken when testing sheet metal that is curved. The concave side of the
curved metal should face towards the indenter. If such specimens are reversed, an error will be
introduced due to flattening of the metal on the anvil.

TABLE 3 CORRECTIONS TO BE ADDED TO ROCKWELL SUPERFICIAL 15N. 30N AND

45N VALUES OBTAINED ON CONVEX CYLINDRICAL SURFACES2
( Clause 5.4 )

Rockwell Radius of Curvature*

Superficial r------- ----__---_-_-__--h___-~ ---_--__--~
Hardness 1’6 mm 3.2 mm 5mm 6’5 mm 9‘5 mm 12’5 mm
Readings
( 6’0 )4 3’0 2’0 1’5 1’5
::;
2250 2’0
i ;:; ] ;:; ;:g ;:;
2’0 1’0
:: ( 5’0 1 2’0 1’0
I:; ;:5” ::“o
40 ( 4’5 1 1’5 1’0

45 ( 4’0 1 2’0 1’5 1’0 1’0

;::
( 3’5 ) 1’5 I.0 1’0
$8
:: ( 33.051 1’5 1’0 0’5
;:;
60 1’5 1’0 0’5
::;
65 2’5 1’5 0’5 0.5 0’5

2’0 10 1’0 0‘5 0’5 o-5

1’5 0’5 0
A:“5 g:;
80 0’5 oo’5
A:“5 0’5
85 0.5 :
90 0 :‘” 0 0 0” 0
‘These corrections are approximate only and represent the averages, to the nearest 0’5 Rockwell superficial
hardness number, of numerous actual observations on test surfaces having the curvature given in the table.
2When testing convex cylindrical surfaces, the accuracy of the test will be seriously affected by the agreement
of elevating screw, V-anvil and indenter and by the surface finish, and straightness of the cylinder.
3For radii other than those given in the table, corrections may be derived by linear interpolation.
*The corrections given in parentheses should not be used except by agreement,

TABLE 4 CORRECTIONS TO BE ADDED TO ROCKWELL SUPERFICIAL

15T. 30T AND 45T VALUES OBTAINED ON CONVEX CYLINDRICAL SURFACES2
( Clause 5.4 )
Rockwell Radius of Curvature8
Superficial r--- _-~-~~-~~~~-h~~-~_~~--~-~~~~~~~_~~~~
Hardness 1’6 mm 3’2 mm 5mm 6’5 mm 8mm 9’5 mm 12’5 mm
Reading
(13)’ ( 9’0 ) ( 6’0 ) ( 4’5 ) ( 3’5 ) 3’0 2‘0
;: (11’5) ( 5’0 ) ( 4‘0 ) ( 3”:; ) 2’5 2’0
‘t ‘6:; ;
40 ( 4’5 ) ( 3”‘; ) 2’5 2’0
50 ( 5’5 ) ( 4’0 ) . 2’5 2’0 1’5

( 6’5 1 ( 4’5 1 23:; 2’:;

2’0 1’5
;::
% ( f:; 1 ( 23;; ) 1’5
;:;
1’5 1’0 0’5
::;
:: 1’5 1’0 0’5 0’5 0’5 0.5
‘These corrections are approximate only and represent the averages, to the nearest 0’5 Rockwell superificial
hardness number, of numerous actual observations on test surfaces having the curvature given in the table.
%/hen testing convex cylindrical surfaces the accuracy of the test will be seriously affected by the agreement
of the elevating serew, V-anvil indenter and by the surface finish, and the straightness of the cylinder.
3For radii other than those given in the table, corrections may be derived by linear interpolation.
4The corrections given in parentheses should not be used except by agreement.

6. Procedure

6.1 In general, the test is carried out at ambient temperature within the limits of 10 to 35°C. Tests
carried out under controlled conditions shall be made at a temperature of 23 f 5°C.

6.2 The test piece shall be placed on a rigid support and supported in such a manner that the surface
to be indented is in a plane normal to the axis of the indenter and the line of the indenting force. The
contact surfaces should be clean and free from foreign matter ( scale, oil, dirt, etc ) ( see Note under 5.1 ).
It is important that the test piece lies firmly on the support so that displacement cannot occur during
the test.

4
 IS:5072 - 1988

6.2.1 Flat pieces should be tested on a flat anvil that has a smooth flat bearing surface whose plane
is perpendicular to the axis of the penetrator. For pieces that are not perfectly flat, a flat anvil having
an elevated ‘spct’ about 4 to 6 mm in diameter is used. This spot should be polished, smooth, flat,
and free from pits and heavy scratches. This spct should have a rockwell hardness of at least 60 HRC.

6.2.2 When testing special materials thinner than ten times the depth of indentation using the steel
ball indenter, the product standard may specify use of a diamond ‘spot’ anvil. When such an anvil is
used, it should be recorded in the report. It should be noted that the reading obtained may differ from
a reading obtained under normal conditions.

6.2.3 Products of cylindrical shape shall be suitably supported on centering V-block of steel with
Rockwell hardness of at least 60 HRC. Special attention shall be given to the correct centering,
bearing and alignment of the indenter, the test piece, the centering V-block and the specimen holder
of the testing machine since any perpendicular misalignment may result in incorrect observations.

6.3 Bring the indenter into contact with the surface and apply the preliminary test force FO = 29’42 N
without shock or vibration.
6.4 Set the measuring device to its datum position and without shock or vibration, increase the force
from F. to Fin not less than 1 s nor greater than 8 s.

F = 147’1 N for scales 15 N, 15T

F = 294 2 N for scales 30 N, 30T
F = 441.3 N for scales 45 N, 45T
6.5 While maintaining the preliminary force, Fo, remove the additional force, F,, so that:

a) For materials which, under the conditions of test, show some time-dependent plasticity, the
duration of the total test force, F, shall be up to 5 s.
b) For materials which, under the conditions of test, show considerable time-dependent plasticity,
‘the duration of total test force, F shall be neither less than 10 s nor greater than 15 s.
Note - When the pointer comes to rest withln 2 s after the application of the full load, material will be catagorized
as (a).

6.6 Throughout the test, the apparatus shall be protected from shock or vibration,

6.7 The Rockwell hardness number is derived from the permanent increase in depth of indentation e
and is usually read directly from the measuring device. The deriviation of the Rockwell hardness number
is illustrated in Fig. 2 and 3.

6.8 After each change, or removal and replacement, of the indenter or the test piece support, it shall be
ascertained that the new indenter or the new support is correctly mounted in its housing. The first
two readings after such a change has been made shall be disregarded.
6.9 The distance between the centres of two adjacent indentations shall be at least three times the
diameter of the indentation.

The distance from the centre of any indentation to an edge of the test piece shall be at least two
and a half times the diameter of the indentation.

7. Test Report
7.1 The test report shall include the following information:
a) Reference to this standard,
b) All details necessary for identification of the test sample,
c) The result obtained, and
d) Details of any occurrence which may have affected the result.
Note 1 -There is no general process for accurately converting Rockwell hardness into other scale of hardness or
into tensile strength. Such conversions, therefore, should be avoided.
Note 2 -There is evidence that some materials may be sensitive to the rate of straining which causes small
changes in the va!ue of the yield stress. The corresponding effect on the termination of the formaiion of an indent-
ation can make alterations in the hardness value.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This standard was first published in 1969. In this revision, the Standard has been brought in
line with lSO/DlS 1024 ‘Metallic Materials-Hardness test-Rockwell superficial hardness test (Scales
15N, 30N, 45N, 15T, 30T, 45T )‘, issued by the International Organization for Standardization ( IS0 ),

5
Printed at Printrade, New Delhi, India