Hardness Testing

Hardness Testing Equipment Part 2: Brinell Hardness Testers

For information regarding this presentation, please contact Dan Emelander (Metallurgist) 713-939-2672

Brinell Hardness Testing

The standard Brinell hardness test consists of applying a 3000kg load to a 10mm Tungsten Carbide ball. This ball penetrates the surface of a material, forming an indentation The diameter of the indentation is measured, and the diameter is converted to Brinell hardness value (HBW) The actual conversion is an equation that divides the load applied by the surface area of the indentation Note: It is possible to use different loads and ball diameters, however it is not recommended. All testing for Cameron should be done using the standard method.

Brinell Hardness Testing

3 different types of Brinell testers are available, bench type, radial arm, and bridge type. The most accurate for large parts is by far the bridge Brinell
For smaller parts, the bench type works just as well, however many of Camerons parts are too large for this

ASTM E10 is the standard that covers Brinell Hardness Testing

Bench Brinell

Bridge Brinell

Radial Arm Brinell

Location: Oklahoma City

Key Points in ASTM E10

3000kg load
1% (30kg)

10mm tungsten carbide ball

No steel balls to be used

Indentation Measurement Devices

Type A Devices are microscopes that have movable measuring lines with an attached measurement indicator, a computerized measurement system or a image analysis measurement system Type B Devices are hand-held microscopes with the a fixed measurement scale imprinted on the optical lens

Read two diameters on each impression, 90 apart

The two diameters read on an impression shall be within 0.1mm

Key Points in ASTM E10

Figure 1 shows the correct Indentation Spacing criteria Indentation Procedure
The applied test force is to be applied within 1s to 8s Once the full test force has been applied, it is to be held for a 10s to 15s dwell time before the test force is released

Surface shall be prepared so the impression can be accurately read

Problems with Brinell Testing

Large load 3000kg
Thin walled parts will deflect, resulting in false hard results
Mainly a problem on pipe, tube, or cylindrical parts

Large indenter 10mm ball

Moves a lot of material
Possible work hardening in nickel alloys False, hard results
10mm

Large amount of error associated with reading the impression (to be covered in detail later)
Automatic readers are more accurate than the standard Brinell scope

Advantages of Brinell Testing

Measures bulk properties
The large load and indenter test a large area compared to other methods This gives a better idea about the overall properties

Works well to correlate the strength of the material Impressions can be re-read at a later time
Provided the impression has not been altered by re-heat treating, grinding/finishing