Brinell Hardness Number Calculator
Calculate Brinell hardness number (BHN/HBW) from indentation test measurements
Calculate Brinell Hardness Number
Force applied during the test
Diameter of the ball indenter
Diameter of the indentation left
Test Results
Formula used: HBW = 0.1022 × P / A
Surface area: A = π × D × (D - √(D² - d²))
Indentation depth: 0.000 mm
Test Validation
Example Calculation
Steel Specimen Test
Test conditions: HBW 10/3000/15
Applied load: P = 29,420 N (3000 kgf)
Indenter diameter: D = 10 mm
Indentation diameter: d = 3.5 mm
Calculation Steps
1. Calculate surface area:
A = π × 10 × (10 - √(10² - 3.5²)) = π × 10 × (10 - 9.378) = 19.53 mm²
2. Calculate hardness:
HBW = 0.1022 × 29,420 / 19.53 = 153.8 HBW
Typical Hardness Values
Standard Test Conditions
HBW 2.5/187.5/15
Ball: 2.5 mm
Force: 1840 N
Duration: 15 s
HBW 5/750/15
Ball: 5 mm
Force: 7360 N
Duration: 15 s
HBW 10/3000/15
Ball: 10 mm
Force: 29420 N
Duration: 15 s
Understanding Brinell Hardness Testing
What is Brinell Hardness?
Brinell hardness is a measure of a material's resistance to indentation. The test involves pressing a hardened steel or tungsten carbide ball into the surface of the material under a specified load for a predetermined time.
Test Procedure
- •Apply specified load perpendicular to test surface
- •Maintain load for 14-15 seconds (longer for soft materials)
- •Remove load and measure indentation diameter
- •Calculate hardness using the formula
Mathematical Foundation
HBW = 0.1022 × P / A
Brinell hardness formula
A = π × D × (D - √(D² - d²))
Surface area of indentation
Variables:
- HBW: Brinell hardness number
- P: Applied load (N)
- A: Surface area of indentation (mm²)
- D: Indenter diameter (mm)
- d: Indentation diameter (mm)
Applications & Standards
Quality Control
- • Material acceptance testing
- • Production quality assurance
- • Heat treatment verification
- • Welding inspection
Standards
- • ISO 6506-1 (Metallic materials)
- • ASTM E10 (Standard test method)
- • DIN EN ISO 6506 (European standard)
- • JIS Z 2243 (Japanese standard)
Material Types
- • Steels and cast irons
- • Non-ferrous metals
- • Sintered materials
- • Some hard plastics