An approach to determining the Brinell hardness indentation diameter based on contact position

Abstract

Significant differences in Brinell hardness results have been observed worldwide, largely due to the curved surface at the indentation edge making it difficult to measure its diameter. The indenter/material contact boundary under the test force should be the basis for the Brinell indentation diameter; however, the contact boundary cannot be observed using an optical microscope after the indenter is removed as is required by the test methods. Finite element analysis (FEA) models were used to develop a method to effectively determine the location of the indentation contact boundary after unloading, allowing the indentation diameter to be physically defined and measured.