What is the difference between Brinell and Rockwell Hardness? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Brinell and Rockwell Hardness?

Asked by Olive landon, Last updated: Apr 11, 2024

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7 Answers

Barry Mclean

Barry Mclean

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Barry Mclean
Barry Mclean, Sales Manager, MBA, Ewa

Answered Feb 19, 2021

Rockwell hardness test and Brinell test are types of tests that are used to measure hardness. Rockwell test takes into account different tests in order to measure the hardness correctly. Rockwell test is used for metals that are far harder, while Brinell is used for metals that are not really hard.

Rockwell uses a different kind of penetrators, while the Brinell method uses a calcareous ball or hard metal as penetrators. Rockwell test does not measure the size of the imprint but the depth of penetration of the indenter. The Brinell test takes about 30-60 seconds which makes it longer than the Rockwell test, which takes about 10-15 seconds.

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F. Hope

F. Hope

F. Hope
F. Hope

Answered Feb 02, 2021

The Rockwell Test and the Brinell Test are two types of tests that may be used in order to measure hardness. The Rockwell Test normally makes use of different steps so that hardness can be properly measured. This is different from the Brinell Test that will make use of a smaller indenter.

The Brinell test is normally used for objects that are not too hard. For example, if there are some metals that would need to be measured, this is the type of test that is normally done. The Rockwell Test is the type of test that is used for materials that are far harder. This can also be used for metals that have already undergone some heating treatments.

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Jessica Rhodes

Jessica Rhodes

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Jessica Rhodes
Jessica Rhodes, Economic advisor, Master of Economics (MEcon), Ohio

Answered Jan 22, 2021

Hardness testing is a method used to test the hardness of materials. Brinell hardness can be defined as the ratio between applied force and the surface of the print, while Rockwell hardness does not measure the size of the imprint but the depth of penetration of the indenter.

In Brignell’s method, the penetrator is a calcareous ball or hard metal, while Rockwell’s method uses several types of penetrators. The Brinell test takes about 30-60 seconds, while Rockwell’s test takes 10-15 seconds, which makes it shorter.

The Brinell method is used for soft and slightly hard materials, while Rockwell’s test is also used for soft and medium-hard materials. Rockwell’s test is less destructive than Brinell’s test.

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Daniel Frederic

Daniel Frederic

Daniel Frederic
Daniel Frederic

Answered Jan 20, 2021

With Rockwell Hardness, a specimen preparation is not required. Brinell Hardness does require a specimen, but the specimen does not have to be rough. Another difference is how it can be read. Rockwell Hardness is able to be read immediately and does not require an optical evaluation.

Brinell Hardness is not as easy, as it does require the test indent to be highly illuminated so that it can be read. With how easy Rockwell Hardness can be read, it is no surprise that it is a quick test and that it is more cost-effective. Brinell Hardness is much slower.

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Isabel Mathew

Isabel Mathew

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Isabel Mathew
Isabel Mathew, Software engineer, BS(Bachelor of Science), Austin,Texas

Answered Jan 19, 2021

A surface’s hardness is gauged by indenting the outside with a small indenter made from a harder material. The firmness can be calculated from the dent’s width and depth caused by the tool used to generate the indent.

The Brinell hardness test uses a 10 mm diameter steel ball pressed into the surface under a load of 30 kN (kilonewton) or 6744.26829 pounds-force. The Rockwell test infers the firmness from the penetration depth and enables direct reading of hardness to be acquired by the instrument.

Hart materials are calculated on the Rockwell scale using a diamond rounded tip cone indenter and a load of 1.5 kN, or 337,21342 pounds-force, and softer metals are calculated on the Rockwell measure utilizing a steel ball of about 1.5 mm diameter and a load of 1 kN, or 224.808942 pounds-force.

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C. Lopez

C. Lopez

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C. Lopez
C. Lopez, Chauffer, Chauffer, Watertown

Answered Jan 14, 2021

These are known to be tests that are used to measure the hardness of different objects. You will use the Rockwell Test when you want to check out the hardness of items with the use of small indenters.

For example, you would like to know how hard a diamond is. You can use this type of test to check just how hard the diamond is as compared to the others. The Brinell Hardness Test, on the other hand, is used for different types of metals. For example, you want to check how hard stainless steel is. You can use this type of test so that you can compare it with the other metals you may use.

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W. Kaye

W. Kaye

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W. Kaye
W. Kaye, Ex-Marine, Post Graduate, Chapel Hill

Answered Jan 12, 2021

One of the differences you will notice between Brinell and Rockwell Hardness is that both use different indenters. For instance, the penetrator used in Brinells method is a calcareous ball. It can also use hard metal, especially for hard materials. On the other hand, there are different penetrators you can use if you are using Rockwell's method.

For instance, Rockwell's method uses a small steel ball for soft materials, while it uses a diamond cone for hard materials. The duration of the two methods is another differentiating feature. The Rockwell method is faster compared to the Brinell method.

For instance, it usually takes less than 15 seconds if you are using the Rockwell method, while the Brenill method can take up to 60 seconds. Rockwell Hardness is a better method for soft, medium, and hard materials. On the contrary, Brinell Hardness is suitable for soft and medium materials. However, it is easier to measure in Brenill's method compared to Rockwell's method.

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