The LNM Institute of Information Technology, Jaipur

Department of Mechanical-Mechatronics Engineering

Aim: To determine the Rockwell hardness number of the given Specimen using “Rockwell
Hardness tester”.

Apparatus:
 Rockwell hardness testing machine.
 Diamond cone indentor, ball indentor.
 Specimens (Hardened steel, Mild steel, Brass, Copper, Aluminum)

Theory: Hardness of a material is generally defined as Resistance to the permanent

indentation under static and dynamic load. Hardness is the property of the material by which it
offers resistance to scratch or indentation. It is the most important property, as the material is
subjected to friction and scratch. When a material is required to use under direct static or
dynamic loads, only indentation hardness test will be useful to find out resistance to
indentation. This test is an indentation test used for smaller specimens and harder materials. In
this test indentor is forced into the surface of a test piece in two operations, measuring the
permanent increase in depth of an indentation from the depth increased from the depth
reached under a datum load due to an additional load. Measurement of indentation is made
after removing the additional load. Indentor used is the cone having an angle of 120 degrees
made of black diamond. The principle of Rockwell hardness test has to do with the application
of a standard load (Based on the type of material) through a standard indentor (cone or ball
indentor) for a standard duration of time. The hardness number is directly obtained in the
experiment. The Rockwell hardness is derived from the measurement of the depth of the
impression EP = Depth of penetration due to Minor load of 98.07 N. Ea = Increase in depth of
penetration due to Major load.
E = Permanent increase of depth of indentation under minor load at 98.07 N even after removal
of Major load.
How it Works
The key to the process is the uses of pre-loading and measurements taken before and after the
big load is applied. This cancels out elastic effects - which includes elasticity in the tester itself,
and in the job.
The leverage system: also includes a dashpot (damper) to let the load down smoothly.
Procedure:
 Keep the loading and unloading lever at position “A” which is unloading position.
 Select suitable indentor & weights according to the scale.
 Place the specimen on testing table anvil.
 Turn the hand wheel to raise a job until it makes contact with indentor & continue
turning till the longer pointer at the dial gauge makes 2 ½ rotations. Then it stops at
zero continue turning slowly till the small pointer reaches the red spot at 3‟, this is
automatic zero setting dial gauge.
 Turn the lever position “A” to “B” i.e. from unloading to the loading position. So that
the total load will act.
 When the longer pointer of the dial gauge reaches steady position, take back the lever
to the unloading position “A”. [Avoid sudden release at the lever]
 Now note down the reading in the last dial indicator by notifying the large pointer
 Turn back the hand wheel and remove the job.
 Similarly, repeat the above step for different trials and for different metals.

(VI) Observation and Calculation:

Type of Type of Type of Total load(P)
Specimen Indentor Indentor Kg-F
Hard Metals Diamond cone C (Black graduations) 150
Soft Metals Ball (1/16”) B (Red graduations) 100

S/No Specimen Type of Indentor RHN Average

1 2 3 RHN

1 Hardened steel Diamond cone

2 Mild steel Ball (1/16’’)

3 Brass Ball (1/16’’)

4 Copper Ball (1/16’’)

5 Aluminum Ball (1/16’’)

Rockwell Hardness Scales
There are 30 different Rockwell scales, defined by the combination of the indenter and minor
and major loads. The majority of applications are covered by the Rockwell C (hard materials)
and B (medium materials) scales for testing steel, brass, and other materials.

Rockwell Scales and their Applications

Choosing a Test Location on the Part
If indentation is placed too close to the edge of specimen, the work piece edge will bulge, and
the hardness number will decrease accordingly.

 The distance from the center of the indentation to the edge of the specimen must be at
least two and one-half diameters.
 An indentation hardness test cold works the surrounding material. If another
indentation is placed within this cold worked area, the reading usually will be higher
than the real value. Generally, the softer the material, the more critical the spacing of
indentations becomes. Must also be five diameters from another test location?
 Specimen thickness must be at least 10 times the indentation depth.

Precautions:
The specimen should be cleaned properly.

Result: Rockwell hardness Number of the given specimen is 

Hardened steel =
Mild steel =
Brass =
Copper =
Aluminum=