WHAT IS HARDNESS?

The Metals Handbook defines hardness as "Resistance of metal to plastic deformation, usually by indentation. There are four methods to check hardness.

Vickers Test
The Vickers (HV) test was developed in England is 1925 and was formally known as the Diamond Pyramid Hardness (DPH) test. The Vickers test has two distinct force ranges, micro (10g to 1000g) and macro (1kg to 100kg), to cover all testing requirements. The indenter is the same for both ranges therefore Vickers hardness values are continuous over the total range of hardness for metals (typically HV100 to HV1000). With the exception of test forces below 200g, Vickers values are generally considered test force independent. In other words, if the material tested is uniform, the Vickers values will be the same if tested using a 500g force or a 50kg force. Below 200g, caution must be used when trying to compare results.

Standards
Vickers test methods are defined in the following standards:

ASTM E384 micro force ranges 10g to 1kg ASTM E92 macro force ranges - 1kg to 100kg ISO 6507-1,2,3 micro and macro ranges

Vickers Test Method

All Vickers ranges use a 136 pyramidal diamond indenter that forms a square indent.

The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force. The force is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 15 seconds. After the dwell time is complete, the indenter is removed leaving an indent in the sample that appears square shaped on the surface.

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The size of the indent is determined optically by measuring the two diagonals of the square indent. The Vickers hardness number is a function of the test force divided by the surface area of the indent. The average of the two diagonals is used in the following formula to calculate the Vickers hardness. HV = Constant x test force / indent diagonal squared

The constant is a function of the indenter geometry and the units of force and diagonal. The Vickers number, which normally ranges from HV 100 to HV1000 for metals, will increase as the sample gets harder. Tables are available to make the calculation simple, while all digital test instruments do it automatically. A typical Vickers hardness is specified as follows: 356HV0.5 Where 356 is the calculated hardness and 0.5 is the test force in kg.

Applications
Because of the wide test force range, the Vickers test can be used on almost any metallic material. The part size is only limited by the testing instrument's capacity. Strengths 1. One scale covers the entire hardness range. 2. A wide range of test forces to suit every application. 3. Nondestructive, sample can normally be used. Weaknesses 1. The main drawback of the Vickers test is the need to optically measure the indent size. This requires that the test point be highly finished to be able to see the indent well enough to make an accurate measurement. 2. Slow. Testing can take 30 seconds not counting the sample preparation time.
Hardness Test

Brinell test method

Brinell testing is typically done on iron and steel castings using a 3000Kg test force and a 10mm diameter carbide ball. Aluminum and other softer alloys are frequently tested using a 500Kg test force and a 10 or 5mm carbide ball. Therefore the typical range of Brinell testing in this country is 500 to 3000kg with 5 or 10mm carbide balls.

All Brinell tests use a carbide ball indenter. The test procedure is as follows:

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The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force. The force is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 - 15 seconds. After the dwell time is complete, the indenter is removed leaving a round indent in the sample. The size of the indent is determined optically by measuring two diagonals of the round indent using either a portable microscope or one that is integrated with the load application device. The Brinell hardness number is a function of the test force divided by the curved surface area of the indent. The indentation is considered to be spherical with a radius equal to half the diameter of the ball. The average of the two diagonals is used in the following formula to calculate the Brinell hardness.

The Brinell number, which normally ranges from HB 50 to HB 750 for metals, will increase as the sample gets harder. Tables are available to make the calculation simple. A typical Brinell hardness is specified as follows: 356HBW Where 356 is the calculated hardness and the W indicates that a carbide ball was used. NotePrevious standards allowed a steel ball and had an S designation. Steel balls are no longer allowed.

Applications
Because of the wide test force range the Brinell test can be used on almost any metallic material. The part size is only limited by the testing instrument's capacity.

Weaknesses
1. The main drawback of the Brinell test is the need to optically measure the indent size. This requires that the test point be finished well enough to make an accurate measurement. 2. Slow. Testing can take 30 seconds not counting the sample preparation time.
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Rockwell Hardness Test

The Rockwell hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a diamond cone or hardened steel ball indenter. The indenter is forced into the test material under a preliminary minor load F0 usually 10 kgf. When equilibrium has been reached, an indicating device, which follows the movements of the indenter and so responds to changes in depth of penetration of the indenter is set to a datum position. While the preliminary minor load is still applied an additional major load is applied with resulting increase in penetration . When equilibrium has again been reach, the additional major load is removed but the preliminary minor load is still maintained. Removal of the additional major load allows a partial recovery, so reducing the depth of penetration . The permanent increase in depth of penetration, resulting from the application and removal of the additional major load is used to calculate the Rockwell hardness number.

HR = E e
F0 = preliminary minor load in kgf F1 = additional major load in kgf F = total load in kgf e = permanent increase in depth of penetration due to major load F1 measured in units of 0.002 mm E = a constant depending on form of indenter: 100 units for diamond indenter, 130 units for steel ball indenter HR = Rockwell hardness number D = diameter of steel ball

Typical Application of Rockwell Hardness Scales HRA . . . . Cemented carbides, thin steel and shallow case hardened steel HRB . . . . Copper alloys, soft steels, aluminium alloys, malleable irons, etc. HRC . . . . Steel, hard cast irons, case hardened steel and other materials harder than 100 HRB HRD . . . . Thin steel and medium case hardened steel and pearlitic malleable iron HRE . . . . Cast iron, aluminium and magnesium alloys, bearing metals [Type text]

HRF . . . . Annealed copper alloys, thin soft sheet metals HRG . . . . Phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, malleable irons HRH . . . . Aluminium, zinc, lea

MICROINDENTATION HARDNESS TESTING

Microindentation hardness testing (or microhardness testing) is a method for measuring the hardness of a material on a microscopic scale. A precision diamond indenter is impressed into the material at loads from a few grams to 1 kilogram. The impression length, measured microscopically, and the test load are used to calculate a hardness value. The hardness values obtained are useful indicators of a materials properties and expected service behavior. Conversions from microindentation hardness values to tensile strength and other hardness scales (e.g., Rockwell) are available for many metals and alloys. The indentations are typically made using either a square-based pyramid indenter (Vickers hardness scale) or an elongated, rhombohedral-shaped indenter (Knoop hardness scale). The tester applies the selected test load using dead weights. The length of the hardness impressions are precisely measured with a light microscope using either a filar eyepiece or a video image and computer software. A hardness number is then calculated using the test load, the impression length, and a shape factor for the indenter type used for the test.

SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS Most microindentation hardness testing is performed on samples that have been metallographically mounted and polished. These samples are usually no larger than about 1 in. (25 mm) by 1 in. (25 mm) by 1/2 in. (12 mm) thick. Larger samples can be tested with special fixturing. Thin, flat samples, such as sheet material, can be tested without mounting or preparation if the surface finish is suitable. The ideal surface finish is a high-quality metallographic polish. Where polishing is not feasible, the surface finish must be sufficiently smooth and reflective to clearly resolve the microscopic hardness impression with the measuring microscope. The specific finish requirement depends on the material and test load.

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