Experiment No.

1
Brinell Hardness Test
Introduction: -
In our engineering field for example, if we got a specimen and we
also got its Properties of the substance like The Brinell Hardness, the
substance (metal) has mechanical properties, one of them is the
Hardness, we measure the hardness of the metal by the HB
property.
The fundamental define for hardness, it's defined as the strength of
metal for scratch and penetration. For example, if we have two
metals and we want to know which is harder than the other, we
scratch each other and see which has a deeper depth its less
Hardness than the other.
Objective: - To evaluate Brinell hardness number for steel, brass
copper and aluminum specimens.
Theory of Experiment: -
The Brinell test is a simple indentation test for determining the
hardness of a wide variety of materials. The test consists of applying
a constant load (force), usually between 500 and 3000 kg, for
specified time (10 to 30 s).
Using a 5 or 10 mm diameter tungsten carbide ball on the flat surface
of a work piece the load time period is required to ensure that plastic
flow of the metal has ceased. After removal of the load, the resultant
recovered round impression is measured in millimeters.
𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
HB =
𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
2𝑝
HB =
𝜋𝐷 {𝐷 − √𝐷2 − 𝑑2 }
Where:
P: applied load in kg
D: indenter diameter in mm
d: diameter of impression in mm0
In order to obtain accurate and comparable results, the ratio P/D2
should be standardized for different materials as follows:
Material P/D2
Steel 30
Copper Alloys 10
Aluminum Alloys 5
Lead and tin Alloys 1

Procedure: -
Specifications of Test and Preparing of Specimen: -
a- The thickness of the specimen mustn't be less than (8h).
b- We must put the indenter in a distance that isn't less than (3D).
Then we prepare it by grinding then polishing the specimen, in which
in the end the surface of the specimen must be polished and smooth.
1- Select indenter diameter (2.5mm) and (187.5 kg) for steel
specimen.
2- Place the steel specimen on the anvil, rotate the hand wheel until
the image in the transparent field of view is focused.
3- Release the loading lever until it stops and wait (30 sec), then
bring the lever to its initial position.
4- Measure the impression diameter.
5- Repeat step (1-4) for other specimens.
Calculations and results:-
Tabulate your results as shown

specimen Indenter diameter Load p, kg Impression HB

D, mm diameter d,mm
steel 2.5 187.5 0.71 463.83
Brass 2.5 62.5 0.83 112.23
Copper 2.5 62.5 0.78 127.53
Aluminum 2.5 31.25 1.08 32.43

Discussion:-
1- What do you understand from the term Hardness?
The hardness of materials is defined as the ability of a material to
resist plastic deformation, usually by indentation. The term may also
refer to resistance to: Scratching, Abrasion, Cutting, Penetration
It's the hardness property of a metal which gives it the ability to resist
being permanently deformed when a load is applied. Therefore, the
hardness of materials is important from an engineering standpoint
because resistance to wear by either friction or erosion by various
elements generally increases with hardness.
The greater the hardness of materials, the greater resistance it has
to deformation.
2- What are the certain conditions that must be fulfilled during
carrying out the Brinell test?
In carrying out a Brinell test, certain conditions must be fulfilled.
First, the depth of impression must not be too great relative to the
thickness of the test-piece.
second, recommended that the thickness of the test-piece shall be at
least eight times the depth of the impression.
third, the width of the test-piece must also be adequate to support
the load, otherwise, the edges of the impression may collapse due to
the lack of support and so give a falsely low reading.
3- For what materials, the Brinell test is most suitable for?
The Brinell test is suitable for: Steel, Brass, Cupper, and Aluminum.
4- How can you choose the load for different material and why?
We choose the load for material depending on the ratio of P/D2 that
standardized for different materials in order to obtain accurate and
comparable results.