COMSATS Institute of Information

Technology Sahiwal Campus

Lab Manual

Engineering Materials

COMSATS Institute of Information

Technology

COMSATS Road, Off G.T. Road

Sahiwal

Experiment No. 1

Objective
To determine the Hardness no of specimen by Rockwell Hardness test

Introduction
The Rockwell Hardness test is a hardness measurement based on the net increase in depth of
impression as a load is applied. Hardness numbers have no units and are commonly given in the
R, L, M, E and K scales. The higher the number in each of the scales means the harder the
material.
The indentor is selected depending on the nature and condition of
t h e material.Brale indentor, a conical shaped diamond penetrator with 120 degrees apex angle is
used for steel and cast iron. A hardened steel ball (1/16 inch diameter) is used for non-ferrous
metals. A minor load of 10 kg is first applied to take care of the roughness of the surface of the specimen
and the major load is then applied (60,100,150 kg). The depth of indentation is recorded on
a dial gauge in terms of hardness numbers. Hardened steel is tested on C scale with diamond
indentor and 150 kg major load. Softer materials are tested on the B scale with 1.6 mm
diameter
steel ball
and 90 kg
major
load.

Apparatus

Rockwell hardness
specimen

tester and indentors

Fig

Procedure
Select suitable load and indentor depending on the nature of the material to be tested.
Specimen is placed on the hardened anvil of the machine which can be
raised or lowered by using a hand operated wheel so that the surface of
t h e s p e c i m e n j u s t touches the indentor ,
Smaller pointer in the dial starts moving and continues to raise theanvil slowly till the pointer
comes to RED dot.
This indicates that minor load (10kg) hasbeen applied.
Turn the dial until the mark B-30 (C-0) and the word SET is directly b e h i n d t h e
pointer.
Release the handle to apply major load.
T h e i n d e n t o r s t a r t s penetrating, which is read on the dial.
Remove the major load by bringing back the handle to the original position.
Read the position of the pointer on the scale, which givesRockwell Hardness Number.

Results

Comments

______________
(Lab Engineer)

Experiment No. 2

Objective
To determine the Hardness no of specimen by Brinell Hardness test

Introduction
Hardness is the measure of how resistant solid matter is to various kinds of permanent
shape change when a force is applied. Macroscopic hardness is generally characterized by strong
intermolecular bonds, but the behavior of solid materials under force is complex; therefore, there
are different measurements of hardness: scratch hardness, indentation hardness, and rebound
hardness. Hardness is dependent on ductility, elastic stiffness, plasticity, strain, strength,
toughness, viscoelasticity, and viscosity.
The Brinell hardness test is suitable for a range of materials
hardness. Brinell hardness testing involves forcing a hardened
steel ball (or a tungsten carbide ball for extremely hard materials)
into the surface of the specimen. The ball usually has a diameter
of 10mm and is pressed into the sample using a predetermined
load dependent on the relative hardness of the material e.g. 500kg
for softer metals and 3000kg for hard metals.
The load is applied for a defined time, usually 10-15 seconds and
the impression diameter measured using a low power
microscope.

HB = Brinell hardness
F = load in kg
D = the diameter of the

indenter in mm

Di = impression diameter in

mm

Fig

Apparatus

Brinell hardness testing Machine

Specimen
Calibrated optical microscope

Procedure

Select suitable load and indentor depending on the nature of the material to be tested.
Specimen is placed on the hardened anvil of the machine, which can be raised
or lowered by using a hand-operated wheel.
Specimen is made to touch the indentor and the load is applied.
After applying the load for thirty seconds, load is removed and the diameter of the
indentation is measured using microscope .BHN is calculated using the above formula.

Results

Comments

______________
(Lab Engineer)

Experiment No. 3

Objective
To determine the Hardness no of specimen
by Vicker Hardness test

Introduction
It is the standard method for measuring the
hardness of metals, particularly those with
extremely hard surfaces: the surface is subjected to
a standard pressure for a standard length of time by
means of a pyramid-shaped diamond. The diagonal
of the resulting indention is measured under a microscope.
Very hard materials (e.g. mild steel, case hardened steel etc.) can be tested by the Vickers
method. If the moderately hard materials like brass, copper and Aluminiumare tested in this
machine, the indentor makes a deep impression. Hence, a proper indentation cannot be
made on the specimen and a correct value of the hardness cannot be obtained for these materials by V.H.
The indenter employed in the Vickers test is a square-based pyramid whose opposite sides meet
at the apex at an angle of 136. The diamond is pressed into the surface of the material at loads
ranging up to approximately 120 kilograms-force, and the size of the impression (usually no
more than 0.5 mm) is measured with the aid of a calibrated microscope. The Vickers number
(HV) is calculated using the following formula:

HV = 1.854(F/D2)

Apparatus

Vickers
hardness
Cone indentor with
Standard
test

testing machine
pyramidal square base of 136 apex angle.
specimens

Fig

Procedure

First bring through 0 of main scale to 0 of vernier by operating the micrometer screw.
Bring one edge of the square base impression to coincide with main scale division by
operating the focusing screen screw.
Count the number of M.S.D. from the coincidededge to the division near the uncoincided
edge. This gives main scale reading.
Now turnthe micrometer till the right edge coincides with next forward main scale
division.
Nowcount the vernier scale divisions from 0 of main scale to 0 of vernier scale.
Record the Number of divisions of the micrometer scale which is just ahead
and above 0 indexmark.

Results

Comments

______________
(Lab Engineer)

Experiment No. 4

Objective
To determine the Toughness no of specimen by Izod Impact test.

Introduction
Toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without
fracturing. Material toughness is defined as the amount of energy per volume that a material can
absorb before rupturing. It is also defined as the resistance to fracture of a material when
stressed.
The impact toughness of a material can be determined with a Charpy or Izod test.
Two basic types of impact testing
1) Charpy impact test:

The specimen is supported as a simple beam with the load applied at the center.
The position of latching tube is set to140
The specimen is supported horizontally from two sides

2) The Izod test:

The specimen is supported as a cantilever beam.

The position of latching tube is set to 90
The specimen is supported Vertically from one side

Apparatus

Impact Testing Machine (Izod Impact Testing Machine).

Specimen.

Fig

Procedure

Select the test (Charpy/Izod).

Select and fit the respective striker in the hammer, first tighten the screws of thewedge and
then of strikers.
Fix the latching tube to corresponding position (for Charpy 140 position and for Izod 90 position.
Place a specimen on the support of the block.
Bring the striker (hammer) closely to specimen and tough it lightly with the specimen.
Remove the specimen. Latch the hammer. Release the hammer. Hold back the releasing lever
The pointer will show the frictional losses. This reading should be less than 1.5 joulesfor
Charpy and 0.8 for Izod.

Results

Comments

______________
(Lab Engineer)