The Brinell test determines material hardness by pressing a carbide ball into a sample with set weight, leaving an indentation. Ball size and composition vary depending on the material tested. Machines or adapted systems can be used for testing.
The Brinell test is a test that is used to determine the hardness of materials. Metals are commonly tested this way, and the Brinell test can also be used on woods and other materials. This is a form of materials testing, where the goal is to learn more about a material by subjecting a sample to a series of standardized tests. Brinell test results for a number of common materials, ranging from mahogany to carbon steel, are readily available.
This test was developed in 1900 by Johann Brinell, a Swedish researcher. In the Brinell hardness test, a carbide ball is pressed into a sample of material with a set amount of weight that acts as pressure on the ball. The ball is held in place for 15-30 seconds, then the weight is released. The ball will have left an indentation and the hardness can be determined by dividing the weight by the area of the indentation.
The size of the ball varies depending on the material tested. Testers want to avoid using a ball so large that it interferes with test results. The materials with which the ball is made also vary, always depending on the material tested. Chrome steel is one choice, as is tungsten carbide. When test results are released, the size and composition of the ball can be disclosed so people have a frame of reference.
To understand why balls of different materials and sizes are used, instead of a standardized ball, think about sticking your hand through a cake. With minimal pressure, your hand should move quickly from the top of the cake all the way to the plate of the cake. Now, think about using the same amount of pressure, with the same hand, on a marble kitchen counter. The meter would probably be immobile, and if the pressure was increased, the hand would probably snap before an indentation appears in the meter. This example illustrates why different materials are used in a Brinell test, with the size and composition of the sphere depending on what is being tested.
Many people use machines that have been specifically designed to administer a Brinell test when doing this testing of materials. The machine includes measuring devices that can very accurately determine the diameter of the recess. A system adapted for the Brinell test can also be used, provided the pressure weight can be controlled and a microscope is available to measure indentation.
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