Comparison of Rockwell Hardness B (HRB) Tests Using Steel and Tungsten Carbide Ball Indenters

Published

January 1, 2002

Author(s)

Li Ma, Samuel Low, Jun-Feng Song

Abstract

Significant differences happened in Rockwell B hardness (HRB) tests using the 1.588 mm diameter ball indenters made by steel and tungsten carbide (WC). In this paper, finite elements analysis (FEA) is used to simulate the HRB indentation process using steel, tungsten carbide and rigid ball indenters on the same tested materials under the same testing conditions. The influence of the deformable indenters (made by steel and WC) on the HRB indentation is assessed by comparing their FEA results with that of a rigid indenter. The deformations of both the indenters and tested materials during the loading and unloading period are analyzed. The effect of deformable ball indenters on HRB hardness readings is discussed and further verified by the experiments.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of IMEKO TC3/TC5/TC20 Joint International Conference

Conference Dates

September 1, 2002

Conference Location

Celle, 1, GE

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

ball indenter, FEA, finite element analysis, HRB, Rockwell hardness

Citation

Ma, L. , Low, S. and Song, J. (2002), Comparison of Rockwell Hardness B (HRB) Tests Using Steel and Tungsten Carbide Ball Indenters, Proceedings of IMEKO TC3/TC5/TC20 Joint International Conference, Celle, 1, GE (Accessed April 19, 2024)