Brinell hardness test is a certain test to measure hardness of a substance based on the method invented by Dr. J.A. Brinell. This test was invented in 1900 and has become the oldest methods commonly used today. Surely, compared with Rockwell and Vickers testing, Brinell hardness test has its own benefits and weakness.
Brinell hardness test is usually used to determine the hardness level of castings and forgings. The hardness of these materials will be quite difficult to measure by using Rockwell and Vickers tests, because the grain structure of castings and forgings are too coarse to be measured by those two tests. This is the main reason for people to do this hardness test on large parts.
Besides, Brinell hardness test could also handle a lot of types of metal by making variations of the test force and ball size. However, typically people do this test in different typical range. USA has 500 to 3000kg with 5 or 10mm carbide balls as the typical range of this hardness test. For example, people in USA typically test iron and steel castings using 10mm diameter carbide ball and also 3000Kg test force.
Meanwhile, Europeans tend to use wider range of ball sizes and forces than Americans. Here, people even also have what they call as baby Brinell hardness test. This is a certain method to measure the hardness of small parts, for example when Europeans use a test force as low as 1 kg and also a 1mm carbide ball. In simpler words, baby Brinell hardness test is the general Brinell test that is done in smaller capacity.
The result of Brinell hardness test comes in a certain range of Brinell number. For metal, the number usually ranges from HB 50 to HB 750. Bigger Brinell number means that the tested metal is harder. Surely, compared with other hardness tests method such as Rockwell and Vickers test, this hardness test has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Firstly, let us talk about the advantages of Brinell hardness test. First advantage is that this test suits almost every application with its wide range of ball sizes and test forces. Second, this test is also nondestructive so you can still use the sample. The third, one scale of this test includes the entire hardness range, so you do not need measure the entire hardness of the sample.
Then, what are the disadvantages or weaknesses? The basic weakness of this Brinell hardness test is you need to measure the indent size optically. Therefore, you have to finish the test point well to get the right and precise measurement. Besides, Brinell hardness test also takes long time. The counting process itself needs for about 30 seconds, not to mention the preparation time to perform the test.
You can find some products that support you to do Brinell hardness test, such as Brinell Hardness Test Block. This hardness tester is completed with special heat treat process to ensure repeatability and maximum consistency. However, you can also find other products that will be helpful to help you measure hardness level easily.
Brinell hardness test is one of many types of hardness test that you can use in measuring hardness level. Surely, you can choose the fittest test that fits well with your needs.
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