1. Brinell hardness test

    The Brinell hardness test is applicable to larger specimens of materials with rough or uneven grain structures. This page provides a detailed introduction to Brinell hardness testing and practical information on how to apply this method.

    2. Overview of Brinell Hardness Testing

    Suitable for hardness testing of large specimens

    Optical reading required

    Standards: ASTM E10, ISO 6506, JIS Z 2243

    3. Definition of Brinell hardness testing

    The Brinell hardness test was first developed by a Swedish engineer in the late 19th century, and the test was named after him. The engineer wants to find a method to control the quality/hardness of steel. The solution he adopted was to press a train wheel bearing ball into the tested material and measure the size of the resulting indentation. This method has been proved to be very reliable, so the Brinell hardness test was officially born in 1900.

    Nowadays, Brinell testing is performed using a Brinell hardness testing device. The machine will press tungsten carbide balls into the sample and measure the diameter of the indentation through optical means

    Indentation size: 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm

    Load: 1 kgf to 3000 kgf

    Maximum hardness: 650 HBW

    A hardness test for large specimens

    Due to the relatively large indentation left by the Brinell hardness test (HBW), it is more suitable for larger specimens with rough or uneven grain structures, such as castings and forgings

    notice

    HBW refers to Brinell hardness tungsten carbide. The term tungsten carbide here refers to the newer Brinell standard, which requires the use of tungsten carbide balls (instead of the softer steel balls previously used [HBS]). When the hardness is high, the values will vary

    4. Application of Brinell hardness testing

    Before conducting Brinell hardness testing, the surface of the material to be tested must be prepared or treated.

    Surface preparation: Before placing the sample material in the Brinell hardness testing device, the material must

    Processed

    grind

    Grinding

    polishing

    load

    Stamping time: 10-15 seconds

    Sample thickness ASTM: at least 10 times the depth of the indentation

    Sample thickness ISO: at least 8 times the depth of the indentation

    5. The most commonly used Brinell hardness testing method

    There are various commonly used Brinell hardness testing methods available for the corresponding material and hardness range. Most testing methods can be performed using various Brinell hardness testing machines

    The Brinell method is generally divided into four subgroups (HB30, HB10, HB5, HB2.5), each of which is applicable to different material groups

    Each subgroup has the same force/diameter ratio (F/D2)

    The measured Brinell hardness can only be compared within each subgroup