The burrs are a very efficient tool used in precision engineering to remove excess material. And to carve out desired shapes. There are majorly two types of burrs used in the industry: High strength steel burrs (HSS) and Carbide tungsten burrs. We have already discussed Carbide Burrs vs. HSS Burrs in great detail. So, you can check out the post if required.
Carbide Burrs are the latest addition, and they are equally effective with both hard and soft metals. And also, with materials like glass and plastic.
When it comes to burrs, hardness is a critical variable. It typically represents how much endurance it will show to potential indents. Here we are looking at possible methods to test the hardness of a carbide burr.
What Is a Hardness Test?
There are multiple systems by which one can gauge the hardness of Carbide burr. As we proceed in this piece, we will look at the procedures that are easy to follow and give more accurate details. But, let’s first understand the efficacy of the test itself. And the value it offers.
The hardness tests give you a closer look into how a carbide burr would perform when subjected to a particular load. When you use these burrs with air tools like rotors, you know the force you are applying—or potentially going to apply. So, it becomes a lot easier to compare the hardness of burrs you want to test.
How Do Hardness Tests Work?
The procedure of hardness testing typically measures the impact of the indenter on carbide burrs by two approaches. First of the two, assess the gravity of penetration caused by the indenter. And the second way looks at the impression caused by the indentor on the Carbide burr.
Also, the size of it. Irrespective of the way, you need a precisely measured indentor to attain accurate results.
Both the methods have specific testing techniques. One can use any system aligning with the testing method.
If you are to measure the penetration on the carbide burr, you can use Rockwell, Ball Indentation, or Instrumented Identatirion testing technique. While you are to measure the impression by indentor and its size, the ideal testing processes are Vickers, Brinell, and Knoop.
Why Perform a Hardness Test?
As discussed, the hardness test of a carbide burr gives you a good idea about its resistance. But the data that you get from these tests do not limit here.
Let’s look at one of the two most essential variables that we gauge with the hardness test of carbide burrs. And learn why they are crucial.
1. To Identify Characteristics
The majority of the companies use tungsten to make these carbide burrs. We all know that tungsten falls among the rare metals. Besides, the quality of the metal that a manufacturer is using can significantly vary.
When looking at characteristics, the hardness test will help you establish the hardenability and tensile strength of a carbide burr.
2. To Check the Functionality
Another critical factor that you want to look at when deciding on tungsten carbide burrs is their functionality. Hardness tests help you establish the ability of burrs to work on diverse designs. Along with resistance, the toughness they show against certain metals and non-metals.
When you talk of resistance of carbide burrs, it means how resilient they are when the burrs are up against those rigid materials.
4 Types of Hardness Tests
Now when we have understood the significance of the hardness tests. Let’s look at the popular testing methods in greater detail.
1. The Rockwell hardness test
The Rockwell hardness test is most suited for metallic materials. Since its inception, it has delivered outstanding results at the front of putting checks on production control.
The metric used in this test is named Rockwell Hardness, also called HR. All the values that you will get in the test are in HR terms.
In this method, you derive the depth of a particular indent. You apply pre-set force. And the value of HR is noted when the penetration of indenter has happened. The most significant upside of this test is that it can be performed very quickly, even on metals.
2. The Vickers hardness test
The Vickers test works on almost all solid materials, that includes metals as well. The unit used here is HV. You take the value of HV by taking the measurements of diagonal indents on a particular material.
When you put the HV values in a table and measure the indents optically, you will see many minute details of the test’s solid materials.
3. The Knoop hardness test
The Knoop testing method is a viable alternative to Vickers, especially when testing slightly brittle materials like ceramics. The test gives excellent results when used on materials prone to rip-offs and damages.
The indenter used in this method is a pyramidal diamond. And you note the values of indent optically, precisely like the Vickers test.
4. The Brinell hardness test
The Brinell hardness testing method is most suited to non-homogeneous materials having various grains—the unit used in the test HBW.
If you compare the Brinell test to other testing methods, the indent’s impression is most considerable here. The ident used is mostly tungsten carbide ball. And the values of HBW are read optically.
An Easy Way To Test Carbide Burr's Hardness
A simple principle comes in very handy when you are testing carbide burrs for their hardness. It is looking at inverse variation between indentation and force. The lower the indentation is, the more solid a burr would be.
Suppose you are comparing two carbide burrs. For burr A, the force applied is on the higher side, and indentation is low. And for the carbide burr B, indentation is high despite low-slung pressure. Even if the force applied was the same in this scenario, the carbide burr A is still firmer than B.
The principle mentioned above helps you narrow down your choices. But it does not give accurate details. To go into greater detail, you will have to follow set testing procedures.
Systematic Hardness Testing of Carbide Burrs - Rockwell Hardness Test
We have already looked at the application of the Rockwell Hardness test.
But the method is not limited to a single variant. Let’s look at the variants of the Rockwell test that go with carbide burrs.
- HRC
It’s one of the best testing methods to test the hardness of hand-tools like carbide burrs. The indent that we use in this method is a 150kgf diamond.
- HR15N
In the HR15N or Rockwell 15N hardness testing method, the indent that we apply is just about 15kgf. It’s useful for carbide burrs because it gives a great idea of minimum case depth.
- HRBW
The HRBW method is also popular with the name “Rockwell B.” Indent used here is nothing but tungsten carbide ball. The hardness testing method makes sense with carbide burrs because it gives you a good idea about burr’s response to similar materials.
Final Thoughts!
The industry that someone operates in can vary from person to person. Tools that one uses also change. But one thing that remains constant is productivity that better tools can bring to the table.
If you are using the right tool at the right time, it saves you the cost of time and minimizes operational costs. The reason to test the efficacy of tools becomes very critical. And it’s the same with carbide burrs if you buy them from a manufacturer that uses standard testing methods to verify their efficacy. You bring immense productivity to your business.
If you have the required tools, you can even test carbide burrs yourself and then go with the manufacturer who gets the most value to your business.
Are you willing to buy high-quality carbide burrs that have the required hardness? Don’t hesitate to contact us.