Experiment No: 03

Experiment Name: Rockwell Hardness Test of Different Materials.

Objectives:
1. To determine the Rockwell hardness number of various metal
specimens.

2. To practically know how the hardness of various metal is detected.

Theory:
Hardness tests for metals involves the use of a standard small indenter
is forced into the surface of a material to be tested.

Hardness is defined as the resistance of a metal to permanent

deformation of its surface. This deformation may be in the form of
scratching, indentation or cutting. Sometimes there is a direct
connection between the hardness & few other mechanical properties
of material. So, by knowing the hardness number we can find out the
tensile strength of the specimen. To illustrate let us consider the
following two figures.
In both figure the ball having a diameter of `d’ in the indenter, which is
pressed against a piece of metal. Now for the same load P, the
indentations (permanent deformations) will be different for the soft 7
hard materials. It is obvious that for the above two cases h 2 >h 1, i.e.
mat.2 is harder than mat.1. it is also important that the time lengths
during which load P is applied. This must be the same in both cases.
Hence, indentation depends upon load (P) indenter diameter (d) time
during which load in applied (t) and the hardness of the material. H, P,
d & t are kept constant, then it is a function of hardness only. Based on
this principle, some standard hardness numbers in invented. The most
common instruments used are the Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers and
Scleroscope . Increasing hardness numbers indicate increasing
hardness. For particular scale there is a particular indenter.

Apparatus:
1. Rockwell Hardness Tester

2. Metals (Hardened metal, Brass, Copper, Aluminum)

3. Indenter (Diamond cone, 1/16” ball)

Working procedure:

1. At first we took 4 types of metal harden steel, Cu, Br, Al and a

diamond cone 1/16” ball indenter.
2. The rock well hardness tester which is used In the experiment had
minor load set to 10 kg.
3. Before putting any specimen to the test, its major load was set in
the tester according to the scale.
4. Then the indenter was fit in the according to the metal.
5. Then the specimen was put on the anvil it has elevated using the
elevation screw.
6. There was an indicator in the tester which indicated how much
elevation is necessary before the major load was applied.
7. After the previously set major load being applied. the indicator
was set to zero.
8. After that the major load was removed the hardness number
indicator again moved and we noted the hardness number.
9. The above procedure was done 3 time for rest of the three
specimens.
Data Table:

Metal Major Load Minor Head Hardness Average

(Kg) Load Number Hardness
(Kg) Number
41
Hardened 150 10 Diamond 40 41 HRC
steel cone 42
30
Brass 100 10 1/16” ball 30.5 30.36 HRC
30.6
17.9
Copper 60 10 1/16” ball 17.4 17.67 HRC
17.7
1/16” 19.6
Aluminum 60 10 ball 19.5 19.77 HRC
1/8” ball 20.2

Result:
Hardness number of Hardened steel is = 41 HRC

Hardness number of Brass is = 30.36 HRC

Hardness number of Copper is = 17.67 HRC

Hardness number of Aluminum is = 19.77 HRC