Brinell Hardness Test

Introduction:
The Brinell scale characterizes the indentation hardness of materials through
the scale of penetration of an indenter, loaded on a material test-piece. The
diameter of the mark indicates the Brinell hardness. Brinell hardness testing
is typically used in testing aluminum and copper alloys (at lower force) and
steels and cast irons (at higher force). As the Brinell test uses relatively high
loads, and therefore relatively large indent, it is frequently used to determine
the hardness in circumstances where the overall material properties are being Fig 1: Brinell hardness test
ascertained.

Apparatus:
Brinell hardness tester, Specimen, Indenter, Microscope

Formula:
𝟐𝑭
BHN =
𝝅𝑫(𝑫−√𝑫𝟐 −𝑫𝟐𝟏 )

F = load D = diameter of indenter D1= diameter of indent Fig 2: Brinell hardness tester
ttester
Dwell time for indentation:
• For hard and extremely • For softer materials like • For Extremely soft
hard materials like cast Cu and Aluminum alloys, Fig-2materials like Aluminum,
iron and steel, the time of time for indentation is time is increased to 35
indentation should be no essentially 30 seconds. seconds for indentation.
more than 10 seconds.
Procedure:
1. Select the proper size of the indenter and load to suit the material under test. Fig-2
2. Grind the test specimen to remove dirt, grease, foreign material, surface defects or blemishes.
3. Place specimen on anvil, raise it turning hand wheel until it contacted steel ball indenter.
4. Set the force and dwell time. Press “start” button to initiate experiment.
5. The experiment will be performed in three steps: loading, force application for dwell time, unloading.
6. Take the specimen from anvil and measure the diameter of indentation by means of the microscope.
7. Calculate the Brinell hardness number using the above formula.

Data collection table:

Indenter Diameter Indentation Diameter Force Dwell Time
S. No Material BHN
(mm) (mm) (N) (Seconds)
1
2

Submitted To: Engr. Mohsin Iqbal Qazi Submitted by: 1) Ayesha Hidayat Ullah
2) Akbar khan
3) Johira Sarwar