3/6/2015

Rockwell Hardness
Mirza Bilal Saleem

Introduction
This test utilize the depth of indentation under
constant load as a measure of hardness.
Unlike the Brinell and Vickers hardness
designation, which have the units of Kg/mm2,
the Rockwell hardness number are purely
arbitrary.
This test is used for Hardened material
There are three different scales meant for
hardness measurement of different materials.

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Advantages
The test is most frequently used and is generally
acceptable due to following advantages.
a) It gives hardness no. directly.
b) Less time is required than any other hardness test.
c) The test is almost free from personal error.
d) No skilled operator required.
e) It has the ability to distinguish between small
hardness difference in hardened steel.
f) The impression of the test is very small and the test
can be regarded as non-destructive.

Test Principle
Rockwell hardness no. is based upon the
inverse relationship to the measurement of
additional depth to which an indenter is
forced by a heavy (major) load beyond the
depth resulting from a previously applied
(minor) load.

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Test Principle

Minor Load
It increases the accuracy because it eliminates
the effect of backlash in measuring system and
cause the indenter to break through slight surface
roughness.
Specimen gets well fitted.
Chances of errors are less because unevenness of
the surface can be eliminated.
Back lash is the interaction b/w the parts of
machine and the specimen.
Minor load overcome the play in the parts.

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Minor Load
A load of 10 Kg is applied as minor load.
This minimize the amount of the surface
preparation needed and reduces the tendency
for ridging or sinking in by the indenter.
A load of 3Kg is applied as minor load in case
of superficial tester.

Indenters
A verity of indenters may be used and each
combination determines a particular Rockwell
scale.
Indenters include hard steel balls 1/16, 1/8,
and 1/2 diameters and a 120o conical
diamond (Brale) point are usually used.

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Rockwell Scale
According to the type of indenter and the load
applied, there could be many scales i.e. A, B, C.
For normal tester the loads and indenters are
given below.
Scale

Indenter

Minor Load

Major load

Total Load Usage

A-scale
(Black)

Diamond
cone 120o

10Kg

60Kg

70Kg

Ferrous and hard

material

B-scale
(Red)

1/16 steel
ball

10Kg

100Kg

110Kg

Non-Ferrous and
soft material

C-scale
(Black)

Diamond
cone 120o

10Kg

150Kg

160Kg

Ferrous and hard

material

Rockwell Scale
For superficial tester the loads are given
below.
Minor Load

Major load

Total Load

3Kg

15Kg

18Kg

3Kg

30Kg

33Kg

3Kg

45Kg

48Kg

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Requirement of the specimen

The test surface should be flat, free from oxide
film, pits, and foreign materials b/c the can effect
the results.
Bottom surface of the test specimen should also
be flat due to the same reason. So the samples of
even thickness are used such that no bulge
appear.
The specimen must consists of a single piece.
More than one specimen should not be used to
achieve the required thickness or flatness.

Requirement of the specimen

A round bar like specimen can also be tested.
Case hardened specimen can also be tested.

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Superficial tester
The same Rockwell machine can also be used
as superficial tester.
The indenter used in superficial are same as
used in normal tester.
This tester is used for relatively thin section

Machine study
The machine uses a direct reading instrument
based on the differential depth measurement.
The direct measurement is read from the dial
which contains 100 divisions, each representing a
penetration of 0.002mm.
The dial is reversed so that a high hardness which
corresponds to a small penetration results in a
high hardness number.
The indenter as we know is a steel ball or a
diamond cone.
Steel ball of dia 1.6 and 3.2mm.

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Machine study
Diamond cone is 120o with a little rounded
point called Brale indenter.
Two types of machines are used.
1. Normal tester for thick section
2. Superficial section for thin sections.

Rockwell indentation

One dimension on the dial gage - a depth of 0.002mm.

Zero reference line 100 for C scale and-130 for B scale

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Some calculations
The value h (depth of impression) is a basis for
hardness calculations.
Since 1 division on the dial is 0.002mm. Thus
dividing the value h given in mm by 0.002
will give the depth of impression in terms of
divisions.
e = h/0.002 given in divisions

Some calculations
If the depth of impression is taken as a
measure of hardness, then the hardness no
for hard material for which the depth is small,
would be small and reversely for soft material
it would be large.
To avoid this controversy, the following
formula expressed in Rockwell units is taken
HR = (k - h)/0.002

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Some calculations
Where k means a constant value in mm
according to the type of indenter used.
For diamond indenter = 0.2
For steel ball = 0.26
Example: (for diamond indenter)
HR = (k h)/0.002 = (0.2 h)/0.002
HR = 100 (h/0.002)
i.e HR = 100 e -------------------- 1

Some calculations
Example: (for steel indenter)
HR = (k h)/0.002 = (0.26 h)/0.002
HR = 130 (h/0.002)
i.e HR = 130 e -----------2
The hardness no. given by formula (eq 1 & 2) are
shown directly by the dial indicator coupled to
the machine.
Usually the dial of Rockwell hardness testing
machine available in these days is printed in red
(B) and black (C) scales.

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Some calculations
If the indenter penetrates to a depth of
0.14mm then what would be the HRc value?

Some calculations
Answer:
e = 0.14/0.002 = 70
HR = 100 -70 = 30

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Some calculations
The zero on B scale is shifter 30 divisions to
the left as compared to the C scale in order to
avoid readings below zero on the soft metals,
which would require a minus sign if B zero and
C zero coincided.
The Rockwell hardness no. on the B scale is
130 depth in scale division.

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Some calculations
When testing by means of a diamond cone,
the larger pointer of the dial on 100 division
mark on the black scale when preliminary load
acts upon the specimen.
After application and release of main load the
pointer of the hardness indicator is moved in
relation to the 100 division, e.g. 40 divisions in
the direction of the diminishing indications,
indicating division mark 60.

Some calculations
The value of 40 divisions is the depth of
impression in the units and reading 100-40=60
is the hardness.

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Selected Rockwell hardness test

standards for metals and hard metals

Superficial tester
In case of superficial tester the reading is
taken in the following manner.
e.g. 81HR30N
Where: 81 is hardness

30 is load

30 N shows a diamond indenter

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Thickness of material
The thickness of material should be 10 times
the depth of indentation.
Therefore, first of all the depth of indentation
should be calculated.
For example: we have a material with Rockwell
harness no. 80HR30N
The indentation depth = (100-diamond indenter
reading) x0.001

Thickness of material
Indentation depth = (100-80) x 0.001
= 20 x 0.001
= 0.02mm
The thickness of the material is = 0.02x10
= 0.2mm

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Minimum work metal hardness values

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Minimum work metal hardness values

Conversion/Comparison
HBW
10/3000

HRA 60KG

HRB 100KG

HRC 150KG

Tensile
Strength
(Approx)

638

80.8

59.2

329,000

578

79.1

56

297,000

461

74.9

48.5

235,000

375

70.6

40.4

188,000

311

66.9

33.1

155,000

241

61.8

100

22.8

118,000

207

94.6

16

100,000

179

89

87,000

149

80.8

73,000

111

65.7

56,000

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Anvil Effect
The anvil should be cleaned plat and well seated.

Setups for long test pieces

Jack setup

Variable rest setup

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Testing of inner surfaces

Calibration
We have standard specimen having exact
hardness Rockwell value to check the
hardness value of the machine.
We can find out weather the machine is
working accurately or not.

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Convex and Concave surface

In case of convex surface the penetration of the
indenter will be more.
And in case of concave surface the penetration will
be less

Effects of variables
The indenter and anvil should be cleaned and well
seated.
The surface to be tested should be cleaned and dry,
smooth and free from oxides.
A rough ground surface is usually adequate for testing.
The surface should be flat and perpendicular to the
indenter.
If the table, on which the machine is placed, is
vibrating then the hardness number will be low due to
more sinking of the indenter than without vibrations.

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Effects of variables
If curved plates are tested concaved side
should face the indenter.
Odd shaped specimen should be supported on
the anvil properly.
The speed at which indenter makes contact
with the sample and time travel b/w applying
minor load and major load must be
standardized. Otherwise there will be
considerable variation in the hardens number.

Effects of variables
The spacing b/w indentations should be 35times the diameter of the indents.
Thickness should be 10 time the depth of the
indentation.

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Advantages

It gives hardness values in less time.

It is used very often in routine work.
The machine gives direct reading.
The values are based on depth of indentation.

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