Industry Sectors A hardness Brinell test determines the hardness or strength of metal by measuring the area of indention left after a specified indenter and specified load is applied to the prepared sample surface. To perform a hardness Brinell test, different indenters and loads are used for different strength or hardness ranges. Hardness Brinell testing uses a much larger indenter and higher loads.
Hardness Brinell testing requires a thicker sample than standard Rockwell hardness testing. Â Typical minimum thickness is approximately 1/4". Hardness testing is a way t o determine aproximate strength of the material and hardness Brinell numbers can be converted to approximate tensile strength.
Standard hardness Brinell test values are determined by measuring the diameter of a circular impression left by a Tungsten Carbide ball indenter under a load of usually 500 kg or 3000 kg. A hardness Brinell testing load is normally applied for 10-15 seconds on iron/steel, and at least 30 seconds for other metals. The depth of penetration for a Brinell hardness is measured using a low powered microscope, with optical unit. How the light shines onto the deformation, determines the Brinell hardness. Typically used to assist in determining the macrostructure.
During the Brinell hardness test, the circular diameter is measured using a calibrated, low power microscope. The measured value is calculated into Brinell hardness (HBW) via a lookup table or via the formula provided (in ASTM E10).
Hardness test services include:
