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Our Senior Leadership TeamHardness Testing
Brinell Hardness Testing
The Brinell technique is considered one of the oldest methods for measuring hardness and is especially useful for analysing forgings, castings, and larger, rough samples of materials.
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What is Brinell Hardness Testing?
Brinell Hardness Testing is most commonly used to test the hardness of bulk metal.
The Brinell Hardness Test is known for its wider indentation that covers a larger surface area, providing a more precise measurement of the material’s hardness. This test creates a deeper and wider indentation, allowing for a better assessment of the average hardness across a larger surface area compared to other hardness tests.
Materials such as non-ferrous metals, pre-heat treated steel, forgings, and castings are examples of those that stand to gain valuable insights through Brinell Hardness Testing.
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Key benefits
Versatility with Larger Samples
Brinell Testing is ideal for assessing larger and coarser materials, such as forgings and castings, making it perfect for industries where these types of samples are common.
Comprehensive Hardness Measurement
The test provides an average hardness value over a larger surface area, ensuring a reliable representation of the material’s overall hardness.
Applicable to a Wide Range of Materials
Brinell Testing is effective for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including materials like aluminum, copper, and brass, broadening its application across various industries.
Consistency and Accuracy
Brinell Hardness Testing helps minimise the impact of surface irregularities and localized structural differences, offering consistent and accurate results for quality control and material selection.
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How we'll work with you
Whether you’re assessing forgings, castings, or bulk metal, we’ll ensure the Brinell Hardness Testing process is executed with precision.
Combine Hardness Testing with our full range of Destructive Tests.
Beyond just Hardness Testing, we offer the flexibility to carry out additional Mechanical Tests such as Tensile Testing or Impact Testing for a comprehensive understanding of your material’s performance. We also provide Chemical Analysis and Metallography Examinations to evaluate the material’s composition, microstructure, and other key characteristics.
By combining these tests, we provide you with a full picture of your metal’s properties, helping you make informed decisions on material selection, quality control, and process optimisation.
UKAS - Testing Rotech 0366
BES Group Testing Ltd are UKAS accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, to carry out Chemical Tests, Corrosion Tests, Mechanical Tests, Metallurgical Tests and Weldment Tests for metals, alloys and metal products.
Legal entities:
- BES Group Testing Rotech Ltd
Nadcap
Nadcap Accreditation Program is a rigorous and highly respected quality assurance program for the aerospace and defence industries. Our accreditation in AC7004 and AC7108 demonstrates our commitment to exceeding industry standards for quality and safety in aerospace manufacturing.
Legal entities:
- BES Group Testing Rotech Ltd.
Common uses for Brinell Hardness Testing
Brinell Hardness Testing is widely used in industries like manufacturing, metallurgy, and quality control to evaluate the hardness of metallic materials, particularly for larger samples, forgings, castings, and bulk metals.
Forgings and castings
Ideal for testing larger, coarse samples produced through forging and casting processes.
Bulk metal Hardness
Used to determine the overall hardness of bulk metals for quality control and material selection.
Non-ferrous metals
Effective for evaluating materials like aluminium, copper, and brass.
Pre-heat treated steel
Commonly used to assess the hardness of pre-heat treated steel in manufacturing.
Comparative Hardness Testing
Preferred for consistency in hardness readings, minimising the impact of structural differences.
Supporting the Fastener Manufacturing Industry with Routine Testing
Mechanical Testing | Chemical Analysis | Metallography | Fastener Testing
Our process
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Why choose BES Group?
800+ expert engineers
Our team of skilled engineers possesses a wealth of expertise.
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
We’re always evolving our approach to future proof our services.
35,000 satisfied customers
A strong reputation for providing exceptional service.
800+ expert engineers
Our team of skilled engineers possesses a wealth of expertise.
A legacy of 160+ years of experience
We’re always evolving our approach to future proof our services.
35,000 satisfied customers
A strong reputation for providing exceptional service.
Frequently asked questions
What Brinell Hardness standards do you work to?
Brinell Hardness Testing standards and specifications we work with:
- 5mm ball diameter and 750kg load
- 10mm ball diameter and 3000kg load
- BS EN ISO 6506-1:2014
- ASTM E10:18
What is the difference between Brinell Hardness Testing and other Hardness Tests?
Brinell Testing uses a larger indenter and applies a higher load compared to other methods like Vickers or Rockwell.
This makes it ideal for testing larger, rougher materials where other tests may not be as effective or accurate.
What materials can be tested using Brinell Hardness Testing?
Brinell Hardness Testing is suitable for a wide range of materials, including both ferrous and non-ferrous metals such as steel, aluminium, copper, and brass.
It is particularly effective for testing larger or coarser samples like forgings, castings, and bulk metals.
Why is Brinell Hardness Testing preferred for large samples?
Brinell Testing is ideal for large or coarse materials because it uses a larger indenter and can accommodate a wider range of material surfaces.
This makes it suitable for testing heavy, bulk metal components like forgings and castings.
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