Brinell Test Method
All Brinell tests use a carbide ball indenter. The test procedure is as follows:
- The indenter is pressed into the sample by an accurately controlled test force.
- The force is maintained for a specific dwell time, normally 10 - 15 seconds.
- After the dwell time is complete, the indenter is removed leaving a round indent in the sample.
- The size of the indent is determined optically by measuring two diagonals of the round indent
using either a portable microscope or one that is integrated with the load application device.
- The Brinell hardness number is a function of the test force divided by the curved surface
area of the indent. The indentation is considered to be spherical with a radius equal to half
the diameter of the ball. The average of the two diagonals is used in the following formula
to calculate the Brinell hardness.
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