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Brinell Hardness Test vs Rockwell
By Engaged Expert
Lee ManghamLee Mangham is the Technical Manager at the °Ä²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Sheffield laboratory, he is responsible for a wide variety of technical content and has over 30 years of experience in mechanical testing.
Hardness testing is one of the most widely used methods for evaluating materials. Among the various techniques available, the Brinell and Rockwell hardness tests stand out as the most common methods for assessing a metal's hardness and its resistance to wear. In this article, our seasoned expert, Lee Mangham, will guide you through the differences between the Brinell and Rockwell hardness tests, including their methods, advantages, differences, and practical significance in evaluating material hardness.
What is The Difference Between The Brinell and Rockwell Hardness Tests?
While the two tests have similarities, there are several important differences. Both test methods are suitable for the testing of soft and medium hard materials such as aluminum, Cu alloys, and soft steel. Whilst Brinell’s method can test any type of metal, it is unable to measure hardness greater than 650 HB.
The Rockwell test is considered easier to perform and has a shorter total testing time of 10-15 seconds than the Brinell test procedure which typically takes 30-60 seconds.
Many consider the results of the Brinell method to be more accurate and reliable, especially when testing coarse materials, as the spherical indenter distributes pressure more evenly. In the Rockwell test, if the hardness of the sample is not uniform, three indents will measure the average hardness of the sample, which can affect overall accuracy.
What is The Brinell Hardness Test?
The Brinell hardness test (HBW) serves as a crucial scale for quantifying material hardness, defined in ASTM E10 and BS EN ISO 6506-1 standards.
This test involves pressing a Brinell indenter against a test specimen under a specified load and time duration. Typically, a hardened Tungsten steel ball, with varying force ranges based on material type and ball diameter, is employed for indentation. The load application spans 10 to 15 seconds, ensuring stability and accuracy. Subsequently, the resultant indentation is meticulously measured.
The Brinell test measures the width of the indentation using a microscope. This measurement is then converted into a Brinell hardness value – the ratio between