In the Brinell hardness test, an optical method, the size of indentation left by the indenter is measured. In contrast to the likewise optical Vickers method, which involves a pyramid-shaped indenter being pressed into a specimen, the Brinell method uses a spherical indenter.
The Brinell hardness (HBW) results from the quotient of the applied test force (F in newtons (N)) and the surface area of the residual indent on the specimen (the projection of the indent) after withdrawing the test force (see formula below). To calculate the surface area of the residual spherical indentation, the arithmetic mean (d) of the two perpendicular diagonals (d1 and d2 in mm) is used, because the base area of Brinell indents is frequently not exactly round.
Hardness testing is key in most quality control procedures. That’s why we provide a complete range of Rockwell hardness testing machines and accessories, from equipment for lab application of hardness testing up to heavy-duty hardness testers for large-scale production sites.
