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Rockwell Hardness Testing

Rockwell measures the depth of penetration on soft or hard metal materials

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Rockwell

The Rockwell Hardness test is a commonly used hardness test method, as it is a quick and simple method to determine the hardness of metal materials. 

Rockwell Hardness Testing is a frequently used hardness test within laboratories by indentation and depth of penetration. It is a relatively quick procedure, carried out on a variety of metals including aluminium, copper alloys, brass, soft steels, and hard carbon steels. 

Softer materials are usually carried out on the HRB scale, while harder materials are carried out on the HRC scale. 

Rockwell hardness testing is suitable for bulk metal hardness determinations, as it uses heavy loads and is inexpensive for testing metals, simplicity of operation. 

This type of hardness test is a non-destructive test, as it only leaves a small indentation in the material, and gives a direct readout using the Rockwell Hardness scale, whereas other hardness tests require measurements and calculations to determine hardness levels. 

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How is the Rockwell Hardness Test carried out?

Rockwell Hardness Testing uses a diamond cone or hard steel ball to apply stress to the sample during the test procedure.

Initially, a minor load is applied to create an indentation within the material to measure the penetration depth.

A major load is then applied to the sample, and the penetration depth is measured again.

Finally, a minor load is applied once more.

The difference between the first and last measurements then determine the permanent deformation of the sample material, and results are analysed using the Rockwell Hardness Scale. 
 

Understanding Rockwell Hardness Scales

There are several variations of Rockwell Hardness Scales, depending on the type of material being tested. Each scale uses different loads or indenters, and allows us to test harder or softer materials. For example, the HRB scale is used for aluminium, brass, and soft steels, with 10kgf minor loads and 100kgf major loads applied. 

HRC is used on hard steels, hard cast irons, deep case hardened steel, with 10kgf minor loads and 150kgf major loads applied. 


 

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