TITLE

The experiment of Hardness Testing of Metallic Materials

OBJECTIVE
To assess the hardness of a hard steel using Rockwell scale.

INTRODUCTION
This lab report discusses the different types of metallic materials. Hardness is characterized as the
opposition of a material to lasting disfigurement, for example, space, wear, and scraped area, scratch.
Primarily, the significance of hardness testing has to do with the connection among hardness and
different properties of the material. For instance, both the hardness test and the elastic test measure the
opposition of a metal to plastic stream, and the consequences of these tests may firmly parallel one
another. The hardness test is favored on the grounds that it is straightforward, simple, and moderately
nondestructive. There are numerous hardness tests as of now being used. The need for all these diverse
hardness tests is because of the requirement for classifying the extraordinary scope of hardness from
delicate elastic to hard earthenware production.

THEORY
Current practice separates hardness testing into two classes: full-scale hardness macro hardness and
micro hardness. Full-scale hardness alludes to testing with connected loads on the indenter of more
than 1 kg and spreads, for instance, the testing of apparatuses, kicks the bucket, and sheet material in
the heavier gages. In micro hardness testing, connected burdens are 1 kg and underneath, and material
being tried is exceptionally slim (down to 0.0125 mm, or 0.0005 in.). Applications incorporate
amazingly little parts, meager externally solidified parts, plated surfaces, and individual constituents of
materials

1) Macro Hardness Testers Loads > 1 kg

 Rockwell

 Brinell

 Vickers

2) Micro Hardness Testers < 1 kg

 Knoop diamond
 Vickers diamond pyramid
The correct Rockwell scale is chosen according to the specimen material, the relevant indenter and the
total test force by using the load wheel
Table 1: Rockwell hardness scales (Cottrel, 1964)
Scale Pre-load (kg) Indenter Total test force Specimen
Symbol kg Material

A 10 Diamond 60 Thin steel

B 10 WC 100 Non-ferrous, soft

steels

C 10 Diamond 150 Hard steels

Table 2: Pointer positions (Callister, 2011)

Scale symbol Dial figures Large pointer Small pointer
position(initial) position

A Black 0 or C Red spot (3)

B Red 30 or B 2 divisions(2)

C Black 0 or C Red spot(3)

 Determine of the hardness number by using depth (h);

For spheroconical diamond indenter:
HR = 100-h/0.002
 Pre load – 10kg (98N)
 Indenter – Diamond spheroconical tip (120 degrees’ angle/ 0.2mm tip diameter)
 Maximum test force – 150kg (1471N)
 Specimen material – Hard steel

Figure 1: Rockwell hardness test forces

 Figure 2: -

Rockwell hardness testing principle

MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

Hard steel bar (1x1cm cross section and 10cm long)

Figure 3, 4: - Hard steel bar

Diamond spheroconical indenter tip

Figure 5, 6, and 7: – Diamond spheroconical indenter tip

Rockwell Hardness tester

Figure 8, 9, and 10: - Rockwell Hardness tester

PROCEDURE

 First of all, the temperature was ensured within the relevant range. (10-35)0c
 Secondly, the right specimen support (flat or V-grooved) was chosen which support specimen
rigidly.
 After that, the crank was made in to unload position.
 After then, the correct Rockwell scale was chosen according to the correct specimen material,
hence the relevant indenter; and total test force by using load wheel.
 Then, the large pointer in the dial face was adjusted before test start.
 Then, the specimen was placed on the anvil and the indenter was brought into contact with the
test surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface of velocity less than 2.5 mm/s by raising
the anvil. Any unnecessary force was indicated of large pointer in the dial face
 Thereafter, obtaining the preliminary load and the hand wheel was continuing turned until got
the fixed point.
 Next, the load was applied by moving the crank in to the load position slowly and waited for 1-
5 seconds until got a steady measure.
 After, quickly the specimen unloaded by moving the crank back to start position and the
measurement was taken.
  Then, obtain minimum 4 or 5 readings for test material and it was calculated to average.
 Next, interpretation of hardness number was done by writing the value followed by the scale.
 Finally, the minor load was removed by lowering the anvil.

CONCLUSION

This laboratory experiment indicates test to decide the hardness of the hard steel, the HRC wroth got
was 75.12 HRC. Many building application needs results gotten by the hardness test. Rockwell hardness
number gives a view to choose various materials for those applications. The precision of the Rockwell
hardness test ought to be up to the level to get a superior outcome.

REFERENCES

1. S.P. Rockwell, "The Testing of Metals for Hardness, Transactions of the American Society for
Steel Treating, Vol. II, No. 11, August 1922, pp. 1013–1033.

2. Vyas, K., Vyas, K., Vyas, K., Shop, I. and McFadden, C. (2019). 23 Engineering Disasters of
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2019].

3. Asminternational.org. (2019). [online] Available at:

https://www.asminternational.org/c/portal/pdf/download?articleId=HTP00403P023&groupId=
10192 [Accessed 22 Jul. 2019].

4. B. McGhee, D., 2004. COMMON PROBLEMS IN ROCKWELL HARDNESS TESTING. 4th ed.
http://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/1911248/htp00403p023.pdf/7e39416b-
8f06-4ac5-8511-244aa5fc54c0: ASM International.

5. Metallurgy, M. (2018). Mechanical Metallurgy. [online] Mheducation.com. Available at:

https://www.mheducation.com/highered/product/mechanical-metallurgy-
dieter/0070168938.html [Accessed 14 Aug. 2018].