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Hardness, Tensile and Compression Test on various specimens

Experiment Findings · December 2022

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29194.95683/1

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Lab Report

Rockwell Hardness Test

AIM: - Hardness Test of Steel

OBJECTIVE: - To determine hardness of the given specimen using Rockwell hardness test.
APPARATUS: - 1) Rockwell hardness testing machine
2) Specimen of hard steel
3) Diamond cone indenter

THEORY: - Hardness is defined as the resistance of a metal to plastic deformation against Indentation,
scratching, abrasion of cutting. The hardness of a material by this Rockwell hardness test method is
measured by the depth of Penetration of the indenter. The depth of Penetration is inversely
proportional to the hardness. Both ball or diamond cone types of indenters are used in this test.

First minor load is applied to overcome the film thickness on the metal surface. Minor load also
eliminates errors in the depth of measurements due to spring of the machine frame or setting down of
the specimen and table attachments.

The Rockwell hardness is derived from the measurement of the depth of the impression

EP = Depth of penetration due to Minor load of 98.07 N.

Ea. = Increase in depth of penetration due to Major load.

E = Permanent increase of depth of indentation under minor load at 98.07 N

even after removal of Major load.

This method of test is suitable for finished or machined parts of simple shapes.

Measurement of indentation is made after removing the additional load. Indenter used is cone having
an angle of 120 degrees made of black diamond.

Specification of Hardness Testing M/C and Indenters: - Rockwell Hardness tester gives the direct reading
of a hardness number on a dial provided with the machine.

1) Ability to determine the hardness up to 100 RHN.

2) Maximum application of load 150kg.
3) Minimum application of load 10kg.
4) Method of load application, lever type.
5) Least measuring hardness number 1RHN.
Fig:- Rockwell Hardness Tester

Technical Data:-

Maximum test height: - 295mm

Depth of throat: - 150 mm

Maximum depth of screw below base:-280mm

Dimensions of machine:-210X470mm

Height: - 850mm

Net weight:-125kg

Procedure: - For carrying out tests, the following procedure has to be followed carefully, any negligence
may lead to damage to the indenter.

1) From the specimen given mark 2.5 in and cut it out using the spark testing. Then polish the
surface to make the surface even without any irregularity.
2) Adjust the weight on plunger of dash-post according to the Rockwell scale.
3) Keep the lever at position A.
4) Place specimen securely on the testing table. Turn the handle wheel clockwise, so that specimen
will push the indenter and show a reading on dial gauge as small pointer at 3(red spot) and long
pointer close to ‘0’of outer scale.
5) Turn the lever from position A to B slowly so that, the total load is brought into action without
any jerks.
 Fig: - Turn the lever to start loading.

Fig: - Rotate the wheel to ensure that the diamond

cone indenter comes in proper contact with the specimen.

6) The long pointer dial gauge reaches a steady position when indentation is complete. Then take
back the lever to ‘A’ position slowly. The weights are thereby lifted off, only the initial load
remaining active.
7) Read the figure against the long pointer that is the direct reading of the Rockwell hardness of
specimen. Use Black scale to measure Rockwell C Hardness of specimen.
8) Turn back the hand wheel and remove the specimen piece. Carry on the same procedure for
further tests.
9) The first hardness value so obtained may not be correct. All standards recommend neglecting the
first two reading to ensure that specimen, the indenter and the anvil are seating correctly.
Further readings will be correct.
Fig: - The small dial pointer should correspond to 3 and larger Fig: - The dial illustration for
measurement of hardness

pointer should correspond to 0.

Precautions:-

1) Thickness of the specimen should not be less than 8 times the depth of the indentation to avoid
the deformation to be extended to the opposite face of a specimen.
2) Indentation should not be made nearer to the edge of a specimen to avoid unnecessary
concentration of stresses. In such case distance from the edge to the center of the indentation
should be greater than 2.5 times diameter of indentation.
3) Rapid rate of applying load should be avoided. Load applied on the ball may rise a little because
of its sudden action. Also rapidly applied load will restrict plastic flow of a material, which
produces effect on size of indentation.
4) After applying Major load, wait for some time to allow the needle to come to rest. The waiting
time vary from 2 to 8 seconds.
5) The surface of the test piece should be smooth and even and free from oxide scale and foreign
matter.
6) For thin metal prices place another sufficiently thick metal piece between the test specimen and
the platform to avoid any damage which may likely occur to the platform.
 Tabular Column:-

SL No. Specimen Type of Radius of Load Rockwell

Material Indenter indenter(mm) applied(kgf) reading (HRC)

1 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 18

cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10
2 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 20
cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10
3 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 23
cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10
4 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 25
cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10
5 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 21
cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10
6 Steel Diamond 0.2 Major load:- 24
cone with an 150
angle of 120 Minor load:-
degrees 10

Average of the Rockwell reading (HRC) = (20+23+25+21+24)/5= 22.6 HRC

Chart: - Chart for most commonly used for Rockwell hardness test.

Total test force 60kgf 100kgf 150kgf

preliminary test
force(10kgf)
Indicator Diamond Cone 120 Ball 1/16th diameter Diameter cone 120
degree degree
Scale A B C
Pointer position on Set Set Set
dial at
Dial to be read Black Red Black
Typical application Thin steel and shallow Soft Steel, hard cast steel,
case hardened steel steel,malleable,copper deep case hardened
and aluminum alloys steel, other metals
Observation:-

1) Take average of the indentation of the given specimen. Obtain the hardness number from the
dial of the machine.
2) For hard materials, diamond cone indenter with C scale (black graduation) is used applying major
load up to 150kg.
3) For soft materials, ball (1/16th diameter) indenter with B scale (red graduation) is used applying
major load up to 100kg.
4) The given specimen of steel being hard materials, its hardness was measured by using Rockwell C
scale and diamond cone indenter.

Result: - Rockwell Hardness Number of the given specimen, HRC = 22.6 HRC

Pictures:-

Fig:- Indentation marks on the specimen Fig:- Indentation marks on the specimen

Fig:- Specimen before testing

 Tension Test

AIM: - To determine tensile test on the cast iron specimen.

Objective: - To conduct the tensile test on a specimen and determine the following

I) Limit of proportionality

II) Elastic Limit

III) Yield strength

IV) Ultimate strength

V) Young’s modulus of elasticity

VI) Percentage of elongation

VII) Percentage reduction in area

Apparatus:-

1) UTM
2) Vernier Caliper
3) Cast iron Specimen

Theory: - The tensile test is most applied one, of all mechanical test. In this test ends of test piece are
fixed into the grips connected to a straining device and to a load measuring device. If the applied load is
small enough, the deformation of any solid body is entirely elastic. An elastically deformed solid will
return to its original form as soon as load is removed. However, if the load is too large, the material can
be deformed permanently. The initial part of the tension curve which is recoverable immediately after
unloading is termed. As elastic and rest of the curve which represents the manner in which solid
undergoes plastic deformation is called plastic. The stress below which the deformation essentially
entirely elastic is known as the yield strength of material. In some material the onset of plastic
deformation is denoted by a sudden drop in load indicating both an upper and a lower yield point.
However, some materials do not exhibit a sharp yield point. During plastic deformation, at larger
extensions strain hardening cannot compensate for the decrease in section and thus the load passes
through a maximum and then begins to decrease. This stage the ultimate strength which is defined as
the ratio of the load on the specimen to original cross section area, reaches a maximum value. Further
loading, will cause neck formation and rupture.

Specifications: - Tensile Clearance at fully descended working piston (mm) = 50 to 700

Jaws for round bar (mm) = 10 to 25 & 25 to 40

Jaws for sheets metal (mm) = 0 to 15 and 15 to 30

Width (mm) = 65

The sample dimensions ratio of test length to test diameter should be 1:2 like test
length =25 mmm and test diameter = 50 mm.
Description: - Select the proper jaw inserts and complete the upper and lower chuck assemblies as
described. Apply some graphite grease to the tapered surface of the grip for the smooth motion then
operate the upper cross head grip operation handle and grip fully the upper part of the test piece. The
left valve is kept in fully closed position and the right valve normal open position. Open the right valve
and close at after the lower table is slightly lifted. Now adjust the load to zero to Tare push button.
Operate the lower grip operation handle left the lower head up and grip fully the lower part of the
specimen. The lock the jaws in this position by operating the jaw locking handle. Then turn the right
control valve slowly to open the position, (anti clock wise) until you get a desired loading rate. After this
you will find that the specimen is under load and looser unclamp the locking handle. Now the jaws will
not slide down due to their own weight then go on increasing the load. When the test piece is broken,
close the right control valve and take out the broken test pieces. Then open the test control valve to
take the position down.

Fig: - Universal Testing

Machine

Fig: - Dogbone Specimen

Procedure:-

1) The sample of the material will be cut or injection moulded into dogbone shape according to the
ASTM standard of ratio of test length to test diameter being 1:2 with the help of Vernier caliper.
2) Measure the original length and diameter of the specimen. The length may either be length of
gauge section which is marked on the specimen with a preset punch or the total length of the
specimen.
3) Insert the specimen into grips of the test machine and attach strain-measuring device to it.
 4) Begin the load application and record load versus elongation data.
5) Take readings more frequently as yield point is approached.
6) Continue the test till Fracture occurs.
7) By joining the two broken halves of the specimen together, measure the final length and
diameter of specimen.

Observation table:-

Dimensions before fracture:-

Test length (mm) = 3.22

Test diameter (mm) = 5

Dimensions after fracture:-

Test length (mm) = 4.7

Test diameter (mm) = 8.9

Fig: - Observational data points for stress strain curve plot for specimen given
Precautions:-

1) Maintain distance from while the experiment is processing.

2) The specimen should be prepared in proper dimensions.
3) The specimen should be properly to get between the jaws.
4) After breaking specimen stop to m/c.
5) If the specimen breaks due to any reason, other than the tensile test, the test procedure should
be discarded and a new test must be performed on a fresh specimen.
6) The grips used in the UTM must be properly serrated so that there is no chance of slippage of
specimen.
7) The thickness of the specimen should be according to the standard requirement.

Results: - Stress strain curve plotted for the given specimen. The Young’s modulus value calculated
from the graph is 98.324 (N/mm^2).

Graph:-

Picture:-

Fig: - Dogbone
specimen undergone fracture after
tensile testing
 Compression Test

AIM: - To perform compressive test on the given brass specimen

Objective: - To conduct compressive test of given specimen to determine the compressive strength.

Apparatus:-

1) UTM
2) Compressive pads
3) Given Specimen (Brass)

Theory: - Several m/c and structure components such as columns and struts are subjected to
compressive load in applications. These components are made of high compressive strength
materials. Not all the materials are strong in compression. Several materials, which are good in
tension, are poor in compression. Contrary to this, many materials poor in tension but very strong in
compression. Cast iron is one such example. That is why determine of ultimate compressive strength
is essential before using a material. This strength is determined by conduct of a compression test.

Compression test is just opposite in nature to tensile test. Nature of deformation and fracture is
quite different from that in tensile test. Compressive load tends to squeeze the specimen. Brittle
materials are generally weak in tension but strong in compression. Hence this test is normally
performed on cast iron, cement concrete etc. But ductile materials like aluminum and mild steel
which are strong in tension, are also tested in compression.

Fig: - Universal Testing Machine Fig: - How specimen is placed between the compressive pads

Description: - Fix upper and lower pressure plates on the lower cross – head and lower table
respectively. Place the specimen on lower compression plate. The specimen must be aligned exactly
according to the marking on the compression plate order to give the complete cross-section the
 specimen a change to participate equally in the acceptance of load. Then adjusted to by lifting the
lower table and perform the test in the same way as the tension test.

Specification and Specimen Details: - A compression test can be performed on UTM by keeping the
test-piece on base block and moving down the central grip to apply load. It can also be performed
on a compression testing machine. A compression testing machine shown in fig. it has two
compression plates/heads. The upper head moveable while the lower head is stationary. One of the
two heads is equipped with a hemispherical bearing to obtain. Uniform distribution of load over the
test-piece ends. A load gauge is fitted for recording the applied load.

Specimen: - In cylindrical specimen, it is essential to make the specimen according to the ASTM
which requires us to prepare the specimen according to the ratio of length to width should be less
than or equal to 2:1. This is done to avoid lateral instability due to bucking action and maintain axial
load application.

Procedure:-

1) From the given brass specimen using spark testing cut a cylindrical shaped specimen with a
dimension of length to diameter 2:1 which was measured using Vernier Caliper.
2) Place the specimen in position between the compression pads
3) Switch on the UTM
4) Bring the drag indicator in contact with the main indicator.
5) Select the suitable range of loads and space the corresponding weight in the pendulum and
balance it if necessary with the help of small balancing weights.
6) Operate the button for driving the motor to drive the pump.
7) Gradually move the head control ever in left hand direction till the specimen fails.
8) Note down the load at which the specimen shears.
9) Stop the machine and remove the specimen.
10) Repeat the experiment with other specimens.

Observation:-

Specimen dimensions before fracture

Cylinder height: - 20.1 mm

Cylinder diameter: - 12 mm

Speed: - 1mm/min

Specimen dimensions after fracture

Cylinder height: - 1.62 mm

Cylinder diameter: - 13.5 mm

Fig: - Observational data point used to plot stress strain curve for compressive testing for the given
specimen

Precautions:-

1) Place the specimen at center of compression pads.

2) The specimen should be prepared in proper dimensions.
3) Stop the UTM as soon as the specimen fails.
4) Cross sectional area of specimen for compression test should be kept large as compared to the
specimen for tension test: to obtain the proper degree of stability.
5) Take reading carefully.
6) The loading is to be increased gradually.
7) Check the values entered are proper or not at the beginning of the compression test.

Results: - The stress strain curve for stress strain curve was plotted successfully.

Graph:-
 Pictures: -

Fig: - Brass specimen after compressive test with bulging and reduced height

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