Hardness Testing

13 09 2008
Abstract
This experiment is concerned about macro hardness and micro hardness testing to
understand the basic principle of hardness measurement. Measurement of the macro-
hardness of materials is a quic and simple method of obtaining mechanical propert! data
for the bul material from a small sample. "n this experiment# $e compare the heat
treatment response of a plain carbon steel %& 9'0(080M)0 *+,8- $ith a lo$ allo! steel
%& 9'0(81'M)0 *+,2)- containing similar concentrations of carbon.
T$o methods $ill be used to get the hardness $hich is .oc$ell hardness test and
/icers0s hardness test. .oc$ell hardness test is designed to compare the heat treatment
response of a plain carbon steel +,8 $ith that of lo$ allo! +,2) in $hich each steel
allo! is treated b! heat in ele1en different $a!s. "n /icers0s hardness test t$o samples of
+,2) $ater quenched and +, 2) normali2ed are used to find the hardness of each on
/icers0s scale *3/-.
4n initial conclusion# if $e longer tempering the steel or allo!# more residual stress $ill
be released and the hardness $ill be decreased.
Introduction
3ardness is the propert! of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation# usuall!
b! penetration. The term hardness ma! also refer to bending# abrasion# cutting# and
scratching. 3ardness of materials has long been tested b! resistance to scratching or
cutting. 5or example# material 6 can be scratched easil! b! material 7# but not material
8. 4lternati1el!# material 8 can scratch material 6 hea1il! but scratches material 7
lightl!. The abilit! of materials to resist scratching b! another material can be raned b!
referring to the Mohs &cale that assesses relati1e hardness of materials.
There are se1eral reasons that maes hardness test be performed more frequentl! than
an! other mechanical test. &ome of them are9
i- The! are simple and inexpensi1e : normall! no special specimen needed to be
prepared# and the testing apparatus is less expensi1e.
ii- The test is non-destructi1e : the specimen is neither fractured nor excessi1el!
deformed *onl! a small indentation-.
iii- ;ther mechanical properties often ma! be estimated from hardness data# such
as tensile strength.
&ome of the common hardness test methods used in no$ada!s technolog! are9
1- .oc$ell hardness test
The .oc$ell 3ardness test is a hardness measurement based on the net increase in
depth of impression as a load is applied. 3ardness numbers ha1e no units and are
commonl! gi1en in the .# <# M# + and = scales. The higher the number in each of the
scales means the harder the material.
2- %rinell hardness
%rinell hardness is determined b! forcing a hard steel or carbide sphere of a specified
diameter under a specified load into the surface of a material and measuring the
diameter of the indentation left after the test.The %rinell hardness number# or simpl!
the %rinell number# is obtained b! di1iding the load used# in ilograms# b! the actual
surface area of the indentation# in square millimeters.The result is a pressure
measurement# but the units are rarel! stated.
3- /icers hardness
"t is the standard method for measuring the hardness of metals# particularl! those $ith
extremel! hard surfaces9 the surface is sub>ected to a standard pressure for a standard
length of time b! means of a p!ramid-shaped diamond. /icers hardness is a measure
of the hardness of a material# calculated from the si2e of an impression produced
under load b! a p!ramid-shaped diamond indenter.
)- =noop hardness
The relati1e microhardness of a material is determined b! the =noop indentation test.
"n this test# a p!ramid-shaped diamond indenter $ith apical angles of 130? and
1'2?300 *called a =noop indenter- is pressed against a material maing a
thombohedral impression $ith one diagonal se1en times longer than the other. The
hardness of the material is determined b! the depth to $hich the =noop indenter
penetrates.
@- &hore hardness
The shore scleroscope measures hardness in terms of the elasticit! of the material. 4
diamond-tipped hammer in a graduated glass tube is allo$ed to fall from a no$n
height on the specimen to be tested# and the hardness number depends on the height
to $hich the hammer reboundsA the harder the material# the higher the rebound. &hore
hardness is a measure of the resistance of material to indentation b! 3 spring-loaded
indenter. The higher the number# the greater the resistance.
THEORY
3ardness is the propert! of a material that enables it to resist plastic deformation#
usuall! b! penetration. 3o$e1er# the term hardness ma! also refer to resistance to
bending# scratching# abrasion or cutting.
&teels are based on the 5e-B s!stems and exhibit both diffusionless transformation.
Martensite is the name gi1en to the diffusionless shear-t!pe transformation that occurs
$hen the high-temperature austenitic phase is rapidl! cooled or quenched at such a rate
as to a1oid decomposition b! a diffusional mechanism. The rapid cooling retains carbon
in super-saturated solid solution to produce a bod!-centered tetragonal cr!stal structure.
4s-quenched martensite is 1er! hard# brittle and in a state of stress. "n order to change it
to a more useful form it needs stress relie1ing and tempering to restore ductilit! and
toughness. Tempering in1ol1es reheating it to a temperature belo$ the eutectoid
temperature. Curing tempering# the carbon trapped in solution is able to diffuse# relaxing
the %BT and %BB structure# and iron carbides precipitates begin to formA the precise
nature of the carbide phase depends on the composition of the steel and tempering
temperature and duration.
Denerall!# the iron carbides $ill not be detected b! light microscop! at an! but the
highest *EF@0
o
B- tempering temperaturesA the! are finel! dispersed at lo$er tempering
temperatures and indeed can contribute to strength. Thus# tempered martensite can deli1er
excellent combinations of strength and toughness superior to diffusionall! formed
microstructures. Bonsequentl!# it is the preferred structure for a number of engineering
applications. This experiment is designed to compare the heat treatment response of a
plain carbon steel %& 9'0(080M8)0 *+n8- $ith that of a lo$ allo! steel %&
9'0(81'M)0*+n2)- containing similar concentration of carbon.
There are three main t!pes of tests used to determine hardness9
1. &cratch tests are ) the simplest form of hardness tests. "n this test# 1arious
materials
are rated on their abilit! to scratch one another. Mohs hardness test is of this t!pe.
This test is used mainl! in mineralog!.
1. "n C!namic 3ardness ) tests# an ob>ect of standard mass and dimensions is
bounced
bac from a surface after falling b! its o$n $eight. The height of the rebound is
indicated. &hore hardness is measured b! this method.
1. &tatic "ndentation ) tests are based on the relation of indentation of the specimen
b!
a penetrator under a gi1en load. The relationship of total test force to the area or
depth of indentation pro1ides a measure of hardness. The .oc$ell# %rinell#
=noop# /icers# and ultrasonic hardness tests are of this t!pe.
Procedure
Samples:
&pecimen ,o9
1. ,ormali2ed
2. Gater quench $ith agitation
3. ;il quench $ith mild agitation
). Gater quenches and temper at @00
o
B for 1@ minutes
@. Gater quenches and temper at @00
o
B for 30 minutes
F. Gater quenches and temper at @00
o
B for 1 hour
'. Gater quenches and temper at @00
o
B for 2 hour
8. Gater quenches and temper at 100
o
B for 30 minutes
9. Gater quenches and temper at 300
o
B for 30 minutes
10. Gater quenches and temper at @00
o
B for 30 minutes *same as @-
11. Gater quenches and temper at F@0
o
B for 30 minutes
The 3ardness Measurement9
1. 5or sample ,o.1 u till ,o.11. 4n! oxidation scale from 2 opposites faces remo1ed b!
grinding on &iB paper and measure the .oc$ell 3ardness on B scale. 3 consistent
readings is obtained from each sample readings# usuall! associated $ith quench-cracs#
should be discarded.
2. The oxidation scale completel! remo1ed and polish smoothl! for the micro-hardness test
on /icers scale *3/- for sample +,2) Gater Huenched and +,2) ,ormali2ed *one
sample of each-. The micro-hardness test is performed using THREE different counter
loads# 200g# 300g# and )00g. 5or each counter loads# tae and record TEN readings.
.oc$ell hardness test
This experiment is designed to compare the heat treatment response of a plain carbon
steel *%& 9'0(080M)0 *+n8--$ith that of lo$ allo! steel %& 9'0(81'M)0 *+n2)-
containing the same concentration of carbon# in $hich each steel allo! is treated b! heat
in ele1en different $a! producing.
1. The sample must be cleaned $ell to remo1e an! dust or oxidation la!er *because this
ma! affect the accurac! of the reading-
2. Turn the machine on
3. Iut the sample on the sample base
). Jse the $heel and rotate it slo$l! in anti-cloc $ise direction until the sample get near
to the penetrator
@. =eep rotating until the screen on the machine get filled b! the blac shado$ and the
machine generate a sound *%eep-
F. Gait until the 1alue of the hardness is sho$n on the screen *the 1alue of the hardness
$ill be on .oc$ell scale-
'. .otate the $heel in cloc $ise direction to free the sample
8. Iut the sample again but in different position and repeat the steps from ) to ' to get the
second reading
9. Bhange the position of the sample again and repeat the steps from 3 to ' to get the third
reading
10. Iut the other sample and repeat the steps from 3 to 9
/icer0s hardness test
"n this experiment t$o samples of +,2) $ater quenched and +,2)normali2ed are used
to find the hardness of each on /icer0s scale *3/-. The procedures to conduct the
/icer0s hardness test are lie the follo$ing steps9
1. &$itch on the po$er source.
2. &ample is being placed to chec on the stage.
3. &tart button has been pressed.
). Gait for a fe$ seconds till the indenter mo1ing automaticall!. Ciamond shape could be
obser1ed.
@. The right hand and left hand line are being ad>usted until the diamond shape placed in
bet$een of the line.
F. Gith both line touching the impression corners# the data $as loaded b! pressing the
push button. This li1e reading against d1 $ill replaced b! an entered message
follo$ed b! the li1e d2 dimension.
'. The microscope $as rotated and the 1ertical diagonal $as repeated if necessar!.
;ther$ise load the first reading a second time# to complete the measurement.
8. The hardness number and scale $ill no$ appear in the screen.
9. "n %rinell mode# if the mean of the diagonal measurements lies outside the range
permitted in +, F0@F *less than 0.2) or o1er than 0.F of the ball diameter-# then a
$arning message $ill appear momentaril! but the machine $ill continue to calculate
the hardness 1alue.
Discussion
o ,ormali2ing process is terminated b! cooling in air .The normali2ed specimen is softest
among the $ater quenched and oil quenched specimens. "t follo$ b! the oil quenched
specimen and $ater quenched.
o 5rom graph# $e can conclude different time of tempering $ill gi1e different
reading of hardness. Ghen the times of tempering are longer or increase# the
specimen $ill become softer.
o 5or different temperatures of tempering# the results of hardness reading are
decreasing# $hen the temperatures is increased# hardness of the metal $ill be
decreased.
o The more time taen for tempering# the more decrease in hardness number reading.
The hardness $ill be decrease $hen tempering temperature in increased.
o Curing /icers 3ardness test# the reading is not content because of phase present
on the metal is different# such as &pheroidite has the lo$est hardness than
pearlite and bainite. This different phase $ill sho$ differ reading to the machine
o The quench metal has greater hardness than normal metal because during quench
process# actuall! metal is been rapid cooling. %ased on theor!# the rapid cooling
the metal is being done# the harder it is. &uch as martensite is the hardess surface
because it0s process include rapid cool. 4s a result# the quench metal ha1e $ide
harder surface rather than normal metal.
o The tempering of some steel ma! result in a reduction of hardness b! hardness test#
this is termed temper embrittlement. &teel allo!s that are susceptible to temper
embrittlement ha1e been found to contain appreciable concentration of the
allo!ing elements such as manganese# nicel and antimon!. The presence of the
allo!ing elements and impurities shifts the ductile to brittle transition in the
brittle regime.
o +,8 is an unallo!ed medium carbon steel $ith good tensile strength. "t is normall!
supplied in cold dra$n or as rolled. Tensile properties can 1ar! but are usuall!
bet$een @00-800 ,(mm2.

o Hardening:
3eat uniforml! to 830(8F0?B until heated through. Huench in oil or $ater.
Ban also be induction or flame hardened.
o Tempering:
3eat uniforml! and thoroughl! at the selected tempering temperatures#
bet$een @@0?B to FF0?B and hold at heat for one hour per inch of total
thicness.
o Normalising:
,ormalise at 830-8F0?B# and cool in air.
o +,2) is a high qualit!# high tensile# allo! steel . Jsuall! supplied readil!
machineable in KT0 condition# it combines high tensile strength# shoc resistance#
good ductilit! and resistance to $ear
o Hardening:
3eat uniforml! to 823(8@0?B until heated through. Huench in oil.
o Tempering:
3eat uniforml! and thoroughl! at the selected tempering temperature# up
to FF0?B and hold at heat for t$o hours per inch of total thicness.
Tempering bet$een 2@0-3'@?B in not recommended as this can seriousl!
reduce the steels impact 1alue.
Stress Relieing:
3eat slo$l! to F@0-F'0?B# soa $ell before cooling the a furnace or in air.
!ic"ers Hardness test
Possible errors during t#e testing
1. &urface preparation.
- The surface of the specimen oxidi2ed $ith the around en1ironment and it is not
polishing or grinding $ell. 3ence# $e cannot ensure a $ell indentation that ma!
accuratel! measured.
1. The reading not consistent.
- 3 : 3uman ma! be 1ar! from one to another. Cifferent people ma! ha1e different
human error. Therefore# there $ill be human error in reading as human cannot
standardi2ed their st!le $hen perform the experiment.
T#e best counter load used in order to gie accurate reading.
$ The indentation is depends on the counter load. The best counter load to gi1e
accurate and consistent result is @00g because the higher loads create larger
indentations $hich are more accuratel! measured. 3igher loads pro1ide more
indentation resolution and more measurement resolution so the result is generall!
more reliable.
T%pical products or components t#at is suitable &or !ic"ers #ardness.
- %rittle material such as ceramics.
- materials $ith a $ide range of hardness such as heat-treated steels.
- small and selected specimen region
Summar%
In this experiment, hardness measurements are made on heat
treated carbon steel samples. The experiment is designed to
compare the heat treatment response of plain carbon steel (En8)
with that of a low alloy steel (En2) containing similar
concentrations of carbon. The ob!ecti"es of the abo"e
experiment is to understand the basic principle of hardness
measurement, to be able to perform the two di#erent hardness
testing on the same samples, and to be able to analy$e the
results obtained.
There are two hardness measurements in this experiment%
&. 'oc(well )ardness test on * scale% includes the test of twenty
di#erent heat treated specimens, ten are of En8 and the other
ten are of En2. E"ery specimen is tested three times, the
a"erage of the three readings is calculated and tabulated.
Then, a graph is drawn showing the hardness response for
En8 and En2, in this graph the e#ects of tempering time and
tempering temperature are discussed.
2. +ic(ers micro,hardness test ()+)% includes one sample of each
of En2 water -uenched and En2 normali$ed specimen. The
micro,hardness test is performed using three di#erent counter
loads, 2..gm, /..gm, and ..gm. Ten readings are recorded
on each counter load. *omments are discussed on the
possible errors encounter during the testing.
0efore proceeding, remo"e any oxidation scale from one face of
each specimen by grinding on 1i* paper to a"oid large errors in
readings. 2s well as, to perform the tests on smooth surface (no
tests performed pre"iously on it).The testing is not done on the
edge of the surface to a"oid slipping.
'onclusion
5rom the experiment# The hardness testing is to measure of hardness of material0s
resistance to locali2ed plastic deformation. This experiment also experienced students to
be able to perform the hardness using t$o t!pe of machine $ith specific of hardness
testing. The result from the experiment is anal!2ed and the error and the cause of
different readings in hardness measurement $as discussed in discussion.