HARDNESS TEST LAB REPORT

(EXPERIMENT 2)
MATERIALS ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
(BEME S-20)

NAME ID

IZZAT BIN ZAINOL 5422011

MOHAMMAD ‘AZIM BIN HAMZAH 54220118141

LECTURE’S NAME: MISS NURASHIKIN BINTI SAWAL

OBJECTIVE
To determine the hardness of specimens.

THEORY
The hardness of the metal is measured by loading an indenter into its surface. The
indenter material which is usually a ball, pyramid, or cone, is made of a material much harder
than the material being tested. For most standard hardness tests a known load is applied
slowly by pressing the indenter at 90 degrees into the metal surface being tested. After the
indentation has been made, the indenter is withdrawn from the surface. The hardness number
is then calculated on digital display, which is based on the cross-sectional area of depth of the
indentation.

Brinell Hardness Test

The brinell hardness test method consist with the size of indenter of 10 mm diameter. The
hardness of materials for non-ferrous metal which are copper and aluminium are test by
pressing an indenter for about 30 seconds and into the surface of specimen by a force of
500N. The time taken take for ferrous metal which is Mild Steel and Tool Steel is 15 seconds
and the force used is 3000N. After that, the diameter of the indentation d [mm] is measured
when the load is removed.

Brinell Hardness Number Formula

where:
P = applied force (kgf)
D = diameter in indenter (mm)
d = diameter of indentation (mm)
 APPARATUS

Brinell Hardness Test Machine Brinell Microscope Copper

Aluminium Mild Steel

Tool Steel Lamp Brush

PROCEDURE:

1. The required load had been set on the dial.

Note: The load is 3000 kg for 10-15 seconds. Thin specimens should not be tested by
this method.
OBSERVATION:
NON- FERROUS
No. Copper (mm) Aluminium (mm)
D1 X1 = 2 X2 = 5 X1 = 1 X2 = 3.5
Y1 = 95 Y2 = 57 Y1 = 75 Y2 = 63
D2 X1 = 3 X2 = 6 X1 = 2 X2 = 4.5
Y1 = 96 Y2 = 11 Y1 = 3 Y2 = 12
D3 X1 = 1 X2 = 3.5 X1 = 1 X2 = 3.5
Y1 = 91 Y2 = 85 Y1 = 94 Y2 = 99

FERROUS
No. Mild Steel (mm) Tool Steel (mm)
D1 X1 = 2 X2 = 5 X1 = 2 X2 = 6
Y1 = 4 Y2 = 41 Y1 = 92 Y2 = 70
D2 X1 = 3 X2 = 6 X1 = 2 X2 = 6
Y1 = 5 Y2 = 65 Y1 = 33 Y2 = 48
D3 X1 = 1 X2 = 4 X1 = 1.5 X2 = 5.5
Y1 = 97 Y2 = 68 Y1 = 21 Y2 = 48
Table 2.1
SPECIMENT D1 D2 D3 AVERAGE HARDNESS
(mm) (HBW)
(MN/m^2)
Copper 3.019 3.043 2.503 2.855 76.477
Aluminium 2.506 2.505 2.503 2.503 100.024
Mild Steel 3.019 3.03 3.015 3.021 408.755
Tool Steel 4.011 4.008 4.014 4.011 227.456

Table 2.2
SPECIMENT BHN (N/m^2) TENSILE STRENGTH (MPa)
Copper 76.477 263.846
Aluminium 100.024 345.083
Mild Steel 408.755 1410.208
Tool Steel 227.456 784.723

Based on the experiment, the high tensile strength among this specimen is mild steel
than aluminium, tool steel and copper.

DISCUSSION:

1. Using the microscope also can turn into the reading error.

2. It is based on natural materials with a scale constructed solely on the ability of one
material to scratch another that was softer.

3. Advantages of Brinell test method:

 Suitable for hardness test even under rough workshop conditions.

 Suitable for hardness tests on inhomogeneous materials.
 Simple test procedure and cheap penetration element.
4. Disadvantages of Brinell test method:
  Restriction when testing small and thin walled specimens.
 Relatively serious damage to the specimen due to large test indentation.

CONCLUSION

1. From our practical lab, we have determined that this material has their own purpose of
suitable use on their level of hardness and strength.
2. We had found that tool steel is the hardest specimens and high tensile strength among
copper, aluminium and mild steel.
3. The higher the BHN value, the harder and stronger the metal.

REFERENCE

i. https://www.the-warren.org/ALevelRevision/engineering/materials1.htm
ii. https://www.wileyplus.com/callister-materials-science-and-engineering-10e/
iii. http://www.the-
warren.org/GCSERevision/engineering/engineering%20materials.html