EMM 3108

KEKUATAN BAHAN I

Laboratory report: HARDNESS TEST

Lecturer : Dr.Suraya binti Mohd Tahir

Demonstrator : Munira Zainal Abidin

Group Members:
1. Chan Miao Luan 161104
2. Hee Nyia Ling 161455
3. Ng Yong Sheng 161518
4. Dhania Hafizah binti Badrulzaman 162011
5. Amirruddin bin Mat Johari 164681
Introduction
Hardness is the resistance of a material to localized deformation. Hardness
measurements are widely used for the quality control of materials because they are
quick and considered to be non-destructive tests when the marks or indentations
produced by the test are in low stress areas.

Objective
The objectives of this experiment are:
1. To determine the hardness of various engineering materials using Rockwell
hardness test.
2. To develop an understanding of suitable scale for hardness test specimens.

Specimen and Equipment

1. Rockwell hardness tester – Mitutoyo ATK-600
2. Ball and diamond indenters
3. Calibration block
4. Hardness specimens: steel, brass, aluminium

Procedures:

1. The Power was turned on.

2. The total load sequence was switch to the AUTO position in the side panel.
3. The minor load was set from the selector ring to S(Rockwell Superficial) or
R(Rockwell).
4. The desired intender was selected by referring to table 1.
5. The intender was fixed.
6. The specimen was placed on the anvil.
7. The load was selected by turning the selector knob.
8. Preparation complete:
a. Loading navigator - rapidly flashing (from outer line)
b. Indicator - 100(diamond); 130(ball indenter
9. The minor load was applied by raising the anvil by rotating clockwise the
elevating handle slowly until the tip of the indenter touches the specimen.
10. During minor load application:
a. Loading navigator - slowly flashing(from outer to inner)
11. The operation is stopped when the hardness indicator displays as below.
a. Indicator - 620 -640(Rockwell superficial); 360-
370(Rockwell)
12. After appropriate minor load was applied, the minor load application would be
complete.
a. Loading navigator - 4 leds light up.
13. Press the START after the above steps are done.
14. Presetting:
a. Loading navigator - 4 leds light up
b. Loading lamp - lights up
c. Indicator - 100(diamond indenter);130(ball
indenter)
15. During total load application:
a. Loading navigator - flashing (from outer to inner)
b. Loading lamp - lights up
c. Indicator - rapid to slow countdown (duration time:
3-60 second)
16. During total load removal:
a. Loading navigator - 4flashing (from inner to outer)
b. Loading lamp - lights up
c. Indicator - rapid count-up
17. Measurement complete:
a. Indicator - hardness vale displayed
b. OK/NG lamps - OK lights up
18. Hardness value was recorded from the hardness indicator.
19. The elevating handle is turned in a reversed direction to lower the anvil, and
the specimen was removed.
20. Step 3 to 19 was repeated for other specimens.
21. Three readings were taken for each specimen.
Results:
Scale Specimen Reading Average
1 2 3
HR15N Steel 65.60 67.00 68.00 66.87
Aluminium 18.20 20.60 21.80 20.20
(Diamond)
Brass 61.80 59.80 59.80 60.47
HRF Steel - - - -
Aluminium 51.70 50.00 54.40 52.03
Brass 99.60 98.30 99.30 99.07
HRS Steel - - - -
Aluminium - - - -
Brass - - - -

Discussion:
1. Discuss on the obtained results for each tested specimens.
- Mitutoyo ATK-600 Rockwell Hardness tester is a machine that we used to measure
the hardness of the material. However, the scale of hardness for each material is
different and depends on the indenter. For example, the scale of hardness is HRC,
HR45T, and HR30T and so on. In this experiment, the scale of hardness that we used
is HR15N, HRF and HRS.
(a)Hardness Rockwell 15N (HR15N)
- Diamond cone is used as an indenter and Rockwell Superficial as the method
- For this scale, the result shows that the hardest specimen is steel with average
hardness of 66.87 followed by brass, 60.47 and lastly aluminium, 20.20.
(b)Hardness Rockwell F (HRF)
- For this scale steel ball (1/16) is used as an indenter and the method used was
the Rockwell.
- From the result, the hardest specimen is brass with hardness of 99.07 followed
by aluminium, 23.20.
- Steel was tested and it showed a NG reading. It means that this Rockwell
Hardness scale is not suitable to be used on steel as the specimen is softer
compare to aluminium and brass.
(c)Hardness Rockwell S (HRS)
- Steel ball (1/2) used as an indenter and Rockwell method as the method.
- For this scale, all the specimens showed NG readings. It means that this
Rockwell Hardness scale is not suitable to be used for measuring the hardness of
aluminium, brass and steel.
There is difference between the results obtained in each of the different scale
due to the type of indenter used and the diameter of the steel ball used.

2. Discuss on the suitable scale for each tested specimen.

Mitutoyo ATK-600 Rockwell Hardness tester is a machine that we used to measure
the hardness of the material. However, the unit of hardness for each material is
different and depends on the indenter. For example, the unit of hardness is HRA,
HR30N, HR30T and so on. Not all scale is suitable for each tested material. So, we
need to be careful when choose the scale for the tested material. From the experiment,
the scale of HRA and HR30T are both suitable for aluminium, steel and brass.
HR30N is suitable for steel and brass but not aluminium. We can’t get any reading of
hardness when we use HR30N to test the hardness of aluminium.

3. Compare and discuss on the hardness values of tested specimens with values
from reference sources or manufacturer’s data.
HR=E-e
By using the formula Rockwell superficial hardness test, the information that we
should use to compare the hardness values of tested specimens with values from
reference sources is the permanent increase in depth of penetration, e since E is a
constant. The greater the value of e, the lower the value of HR. Hence the lower the
hardness of the specimen.

4. What are the importances of hardness test in engineering practice?

Hardness is the measure of how resistant solid matter is to various kinds of permanent
shape change when a force is applied. Hardness is dependent on ductility, elastic
stiffness, plasticity, strain, strength, toughness, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. The term
hardness of a material may be defined in several different ways. These are principally
in relation to the resistance to permanent deformation such as indentation, abrasion,
scratching, and machining. Hardness testing has always been important in the
metalworking industry and in materials research because of the specific mechanical
properties for the further processing or for defined final conditions, can be obtained
during or after industrial production. With hardness test, engineers are able to
determine the suitable materials for creating something which is safe for the
consumers. For example, they can know which type of materials is suitable for
creating a car that is harder and able to reduce the injuries of the driver in an accident
better. Besides it, hardness exhibit elasticity and plasticity also. Hardness in the elastic
range has a small temporary change in shape for a given force which is known as
stiffness in the case of a given object or a high elastic modulus in the case of a
material. Viscoelasticity is the property of the materials exhibit both elasticity and
viscosity when undergoing plastic deformation. Hence the hardness test is also
important in engineering practice although it is not directly employed in engineering
design but important in the strength of the materials used.

Precautions
1. Ensure that both surfaces of the specimens are flat and positioned securely on the
anvil.
2. Rotate the elevating handle gently during elevation of the anvil. Otherwise due to
abrupt strike of the indenter tip with the specimen, the indenter may be destroyed.
3. If the minor load application is in overload condition:
a. Loading navigator - 4 LEDs light up
b. Indicator - AAAA
c. Overloading lamp - lights up

Conclusion
1. Give an overall conclusion based on the obtained experimental results.
Although there is no specific hardness value for each materials, however from the
results obtained, we can conclude that the hardness value for steel, brass and
aluminium are in descending order where steel is the hardest material, followed by
brass and aluminium.
A good knowledge of material properties (hardness) is crucial in engineering as it is
taking regard to these properties that the engineers would select the most suitable
metal to build a bridge or an aircraft and if the metal is not hard enough, the project of
engineers would not fulfill their goals and thus it risks to put human lives in danger. It
can be prevented by a better understanding of the material properties and reactions to
environmental variations that the engineers will complete their project according to
the safety and financial limits.

2. Conclude on the applications of the experiment.

Mitutoyo ATK-600 Rockwell Hardness tester is a machine that we used to measure
the hardness of the material. The higher values of hardness, the hardest of a material.
Hence, the steel is found to be the hardest material, follow by brass and aluminum
that are the softest material, because the steel has the highest Rockwell value if
compare with the other two materials. The highest the Rockwell value, the hardest a
material. For Hardness Rockwell S (HRS), all specimens showed NG readings. This
mean Rockwells Hardness scale is not suitable to be used for measuring the hardness
of aluminium, brass and steel.

Reference
1. www.aws.org/educators/Library/0000/000587.pdf
2. Benham, P.P, Crawford, R.J. and Armstrong, C.G. Mechanics of Engineering
Materials. Second Edition. Longman. 1996
3. Mitutoyo. Instruction Manual for Digital Hardness Testing Machine (Twin Type).
Model: ATK-600,601. Mitutoyo. 2000.