Formal report

Open-ended

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY TENAGA NASIONAL
Semester 1 2021/2022
Mechanics and Materials Lab
MEMB221/MEMB2031

Title of : Experiment 5: Hardness Test (Open-Ended)

Experiment Turnitin %:
*Leave this table empty

Name and ID : Nicholas Lo Zhan Xin *Criteria CO1 CO5

(ME0106424)
A (i)
Group Members
A(ii)
: Muhammad Solehen Bin Ibrahim
(ME0107347) B

: Mohammad Abdulhadi C
(ME0105493)
D
:
E

G(i)
Group No : 1
G(ii)

Section : H
4B
I

Day & Date of : J

09/12/2021
Experiment
K
Date of : 09/12/2021 Others
submission
Total /90 /10
Name of : Dr. Abreeza Noorlina binti Abd.
Instructor Manap Overall /100
Table of Content
Table of Content ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Summary / Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Different Quenching solution and the microstructure .......................................................................... 4
Equipment ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 1: WP 300 Material Testing Tool .............................................................................................. 5
Table 1: Description of equipment ....................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: Carbolite Chamber Furnace................................................................................................... 6
Procedure ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Data and observations ................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2: Copper sample used and copper sample under indentation test ............................................ 8
Table 2: Initial dimensions for the copper sample and other parameters ............................................. 8
Table 3 : Data collected for 4 copper samples ...................................................................................... 8
Analysis and Results ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 4 : Brinell’s Hardness Number for Copper samples ................................................................... 9
Table 5 : Theoretical vs actual Brinell’s Hardness Number of Sample A .......................................... 10
Discussion ................................................................................................................................................... 10
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................. 11
References ................................................................................................................................................... 11

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Summary / Abstract
For this open-ended lab, we are testing copper samples for hardness test by utilizing the principles and
theory of Brinell Hardness Test. This is where an indenter ball is applied force onto the surface of our
sample and where the indentation caused is measured and included into an equation to calculate the Brinell
Hardness number of the sample.

The main objectives of the experiment are to evaluate the hardness of material by using the equation
for Brinell Hardness and whilst also comparing the hardness of the sample materials based on the different
quenching mediums after the material was being heat treated. The experiment also included a control
sample (Sample A) that is not being heat treated, this sample is then tested against the actual Brinell
Hardness number and a percentage error is determined.

In summary, the experiment first measured the hardness of a copper material without any heat
treatment. After that, other samples undergo heat treatment and with various quenching solutions, then
being tested with the Brinell Hardness Test. The final results collected are compared with each other and
the actual Brinell Hardness number of the copper material.

Objectives
The objectives of this lab experiment include:

• To evaluate the hardness of copper material by applying the Brinell Hardness Test.
• To understand how different quenching mediums can affect the Hardness Number of the metal.

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Theory
The hardness of a material or in our case, copper can be measured using a Brinell Hardness Test, the
hardness is classified using Hardness Numbers from hard, moderately hard and soft. The test utilizes a
sphere ball made of steel, which is then forced under a load onto the surface of a specimen, this will leave
an indentation after the load applied is removed. The sphere ball is also known as an indenter. Finally,
the diameter of the indentation left is used to calculate the final Brinell Hardness Test and this equation
can be seen below:

For our experiment, we will be using different quenching medium for our copper material after heat
treating, as this affects the molecular structure of the material. This method can also be see used for other
metallic materials, quenching them with different solutions create fine, coarse or very fine microstructures.
This will inevitably affect the material’s hardness; the microstructure analysis will then later be done on
Experiment 8 as a continuation.

Different Quenching solution and the microstructure

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 Equipment
Our equipment includes the WP 300 material testing tool and the Carbolite chamber furnace shown in
Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively. Table 1 also lists the description for the material testing tool; however
there is no list of description for the furnace as it is only used to heat the material.

Label:

Figure 1: WP 300 Material Testing Tool

Table 1: Description of equipment

Number Description Function
label
1 Machine Base The setup is framed by the unbending machine base, which is made of cast
press and ensures the test unit's soundness in terms of the four elastic feet. The
machine base supports the hydrodynamics and the edge.
2 Support with The posts (1) and crosshead (2) forms aided the test unit. Several stable
cross-head specimen repositories are connected to the crosshead. The variable load outline
is also equipped with low-contact direct metal rollers.
3&4 Load Frame & The load frame is made up of the upper and lower crossmembers (3 and 4 in
Crossmember Figure 1), as well as the guiding pole (3). Through the load frame, the test
constraint is conveyed from the pressure-driven basic barrel to the relevant
example. The load frame is slide-mounted in the help's cross-leader. Pliable

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 specimens are braced by the top cross-part and the crosshead, while
compressive specimens are tightened by the lower cross-part and the crosshead.
5&6 Main Cylinder & The test force is generated by hydraulic pressure. A hydrostatic weight is
Master Cylinder created in the principal barrel by a cylinder in the ace chamber that is actuated
Hand Wheel by the hand wheel and the strung shaft.
7&8 Force Display & The force measurement device is powered by the manometer principle. It
Elongation measures the hydrostatic pressure in the hydraulic system. The large display,
Measurement with a diameter of 160 mm, enables for precise reading. A maximum pointer is
used to store the maximum force. With a dial gauge that may be changed, the
elongation is measured. The dial gauge displays the mm distance between the
top cross-member and the crosshead.
9 Gripping Hands The holding heads are made for situations that require a bending M10 strung
head. Furthermore, level pressure cushions can be easily implanted and held in
place by a nut in the cross-head and cross-part.

Figure 2: Carbolite Chamber Furnace

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Procedure

1. Firstly, the machine is calibrated to zero by altering the needle arrow located inside the load
gauge.
2. After that, the copper is set onto the platform of the machine for compression, the indenter which
is the steel ball first has its diameter measured before beginning the experiment.
3. Furthermore, the hand wheel of the equipment is turned in a clockwise motion, this applies load
on to the surface of the copper specimen via the steel ball/ indenter. The amount of load applied
is shown on the load gauge. The load applied should be 10 kN.
4. The load is left on the copper for 15 seconds and then released. Then, the copper specimen is
removed, and the diameter of the indentation caused by the steel ball and the load is measured
and recorded into a table. Also, this step is repeated on the same sample 4 times then the average
diameter of indentation is calculated.
5. After the control copper has its hardness measured, other specimen undergoes heat treatment with
different quenching solutions.
6. The first copper plate is heated in the furnace at 110°C for 5 minutes. After that, the copper plate
is quenched in water until completely cooled.
7. Step 6 is repeated with different quenching solutions and copper plates; next quenching solutions
include cooking oil and water. In total, there are 4 copper plates that undergone the hardness test,
copper plate without heat treatment, copper plate quenched in water, copper plate quenched in
cooking oil and copper plate quenched in air.
8. After heat treatment is completed, the treated copper specimens under go Steps 1-5.

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Data and observations

Figure 2: Copper sample used and copper sample under indentation test

Table 2: Initial dimensions for the copper sample and other parameters
Description
Dimensions of copper sample 15 mm x 15 mm x 2 mm
Applied Load 10 kN
Diameter of indenter 8.21 mm

Table 3 : Data collected for 4 copper samples

Label Sample First diameter Second Third diameter Fourth diameter Average diameter
of diameter of of indentation, of indentation, of indentation,
indentation, indentation, mm mm mm
mm mm

A Copper without heat

4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
treatment
B Heat treated copper
3.7 3.9 3.7 3.9 3.8
quenched in water
C Heat treated copper
4.1 4.0 4.3 4.0 4.1
quenched in air
D Heat treated copper
4.0 4.0 3.9 4.1 40
quenched in oil

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Analysis and Results

Calculation for Theoretical Value

1) Sample A
2(0.102∗10000)
HB =
𝜋∗8.21(8.21−√8.212 −42 )

= 76.026 N/mm2

2) Sample B
2(0.102∗10000)
HB =
𝜋∗8.21(8.21−√8.212 −3.82 )

= 84.831 N/mm2

3) Sample C
2(0.102∗10000)
HB =
𝜋∗8.21(8.21−√8.212 −4.12 )

= 72.096 N/mm2

4) Sample D
2(0.102∗10000)
HB =
𝜋∗8.21(8.21−√8.212 −42 )

= 76.026 N/mm2

Table 4 : Brinell’s Hardness Number for Copper samples

Sample Brinell Hardness Number, N/mm2
A 76.026
B 84.831
C 72.096
D 76.026

|89−76.026|
Percentage Error: 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =   ×  100 % = 14.578 %
89

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 Table 5 : Theoretical vs actual Brinell’s Hardness Number of Sample A
Sample Brinell Hardness Brinell Hardness Number Errors
Number
( Actual ) (N/mm2) (%)
( Theoretical ) (N/mm2)
A 76.026 89 14.578

Discussion
From our analysis and calculation of the Brinell Hardness Number, we can determine that sample B has
the highest hardness compared to the other samples with a hardness number of 84.831 N/mm2. On the other
hand, sample C had the lowest hardness compared to the other samples with a hardness number of 72.096
N/mm2. According to these values obtained, we can assume that heat treatment does not increase hardness
of a material if the quenching solution is not suitable. However, with the suitable quenching solution, the
hardness can be improved especially obvious, when comparing the 3 samples with sample A, which was
the control sample. That said, sample D showed similar hardness test to sample A.

Comparing theoretical and experimental Brinell Hardness Number

According to MatWeb, the actual Brinell Hardness Number of copper is 89 N/mm2. Our calculated Brinell
Hardness number is 76.026 N/mm2 and has a percentage error of 14.578% comparing to the actual.
However, there is various information from the Internet that indicates that various coppers have various
Brinell Hardness Number, and this depends on the source found. This discrepancy may lead to different
percentage error depending on the source used for the actual Brinell Hardness Number.

Possible errors that may occur

Our experiment may have contained errors including the one mentioned when comparing theoretical and
actual calculations due to the various range of actual Brinell Hardness Number that one can obtain.
However, other errors include mechanical errors caused by the device used. For example, the test machine
used for the hardness test may have calibration error due to its age and maintenance may not be sufficient.
Furthermore, the furnace utilizes heating coils to increase temperature hence creating many inconsistencies
during recording of the data. Next, another common error could be due to human error, especially when
taking data from the indentations from each sample. However, this was minimized by taking 4 additional
readings and averaging 4 readings for a more accurate reading.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, this experiment has successfully accomplished its desired objectives. The Brinell Hardness
test has been proven to be able to calculate the hardness of a material based on its equation, but the actual
Brinell Hardness test may vary based on the source used. Furthermore, we can determine that quenching
medium such as water after heat treating copper can improve hardness. However, we believe we could get
better results by increasing the temperature of the heat treatment, as there is only little difference between
the data obtained comparing the control and other samples that undergone heat treatment.

References

1. 2021. Copper, Cu. MatWeb: Material Property Data.

http://www.matweb.com/search/DataSheet.aspx?MatGUID=ca486cc7cefa44d98ee67d2f5eb7d21f
&ckck=1.

2. Maurice. S. 2021. 6 - Fabrication, welding, and in-shop inspection. Surface Production

Operations. pp.197-284.

3. Shackelford. F. J., 2000. Materials Science for Engineers. 5th edition. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey : Prentice – Hall, Inc.

4. Rethwisch. D. G, Callister. W. D. J, 2000. Materials Science and Engineering – An Introduction.

8th edition. New York : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

5. Beer. F. P, Johnston. E. R, DeWolff. T. J, 2004. Mechanics of Materials. Third Edition in SI Unit.

McGraw Hill

6. Mechanics and Materials Laboratory Manual Book, UNITEN

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