EXPERIMENT NO.

7
ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST

OBJECTIVE
To determine the hardness of a material by Rockwell hardness test.

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPLES
Rockwell hardness testing is a general method for measuring the bulk hardness of
metallic and polymer materials. Although hardness testing does not give a direct
measurement of any performance properties, hardness of a material correlates
directly with its strength, wear resistance, and other properties. Hardness testing is
widely used for material evaluation because of its simplicity and low cost relative to
direct measurement of many properties. Specifically, conversion charts from
Rockwell hardness to tensile strength are available for some structural alloys,
including steel and aluminum.
Rockwell hardness testing is an indentation testing method. The indenter is either a
conical diamond (brale) or a hard steel ball. Different indenter ball diameters from
1/16 to 1/2 in. are used depending on the test scale.
To start the test, the indenter is set into the sample at a prescribed minor load. A
major load is then applied and held for a set time period. The force on the indenter is
then decreased back to the minor load. The Rockwell hardness number is calculated
from the depth of permanent deformation of the indenter into the sample, i.e. the
difference in indenter position before and after application of the major load. The
minor and major loads can be applied using dead weights or springs. The indenter
position is measured using an analog dial indicator or an electronic device with
digital readout.
The various indenter types combined with a range of test loads form a matrix of
Rockwell hardness scales that are applicable to a wide variety of materials. Each
Rockwell hardness scale is identified by a letter designation indicative of the indenter
type and the major and minor loads used for the test. The Rockwell hardness
number is expressed as a combination of the measured numerical hardness value
and the scale letter preceded by the letters, HR. For example, a hardness value of
80 on the Rockwell A scale is reported as 80 HRA.
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PROCEDURES
For a better understanding, the sequence of the Rockwell method, which is
described below, is also shown in the numbered images below (figure 1). The meter,
which is connected to the penetrator and displays the penetrators shifts on a larger
scale, is also included in the figure.

1. The tested surface is exposed to the penetrator and the first test load Fo
(preload) is applied. A small indentation appears. At this point, the meter is set
to zero.
2. Slowly and without shocks the load F1 is applied additionally. Together with
the preload this is defined as total test load F. With this load the penetrator
enters the material more or less deep, depending on the hardness of the
material. This position needs to be kept to reach the final penetration (when
testing hard materials the penetration is almost immediate; with soft materials
it is necessary to wait for a number of seconds). The penetration procedure
can also be observed on the indicator of the meter.
3. When the indicator of the meter finally stops moving, the additional load F1 is
removed until the preload is applied respectively. This way, the penetrator
remains in the imprint and all elastic deformations, which were caused by the
application of the total test load, are eliminated; thus, the meter only shows

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the remaining penetration depth (as difference between preload and total test
load).
The penetrator, preloads, test loads, and the units are standardised in the Rockwell
method and can be divided into two groups: standard Rockwell (method N) and
superficial Rockwell (method T).

SET-UP OF APPARATUS

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Engineering Materials and Testing Laboratory

Experiment No.: 7
ROCKWELL HARDNESS TEST
Final Data Sheet
Name:

Date: June 9, 2015

Section: B3

Group No.: 2

MATERIAL

HARDNESS

INDENTER
GROUP 1

GROUP 2

GROUP 3

GROUP 4

Aluminum

Ball

92.50

98.98

92.33

94.70

Mild Steel

Ball

70.0

76.25

69.83

60.83

Brass

Ball

62.83

70.18

74.17

70.50

Stainless
Steel

Diamond

34.5

30.53

33.17

29.33

High Carbon

Diamond

96.27

107.77

96.50

97.83

Assisted by:
Vergel S. Rodriguez
ME-UTM Engineer

Approved by:
Engr. F. Galera
Instructor

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QUESTIONS (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

1. Define Rockwell Hardness number.

2. What are the main features of Rockwell Hardness Test?

3. Explain the importance of Rockwell Hardness to obtain an

approximation of tensile strength.

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4. Differentiate the Brinell Hardness and Rockwell Hardness tests.

5. Under what conditions are most useful in Rockwell Hardness?

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DISCUSSION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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CONCLUSION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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RECOMMENDATION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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REFERENCES (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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