Rockwell B Scale
Rockwell B scale is used for soft metals, such as aluminum or lead. It measures hardness by pressing a steel ball with a load of 100 kiloponds. This method prevents damage to the indenter when resistance is low.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Rockwell scale B measures a material's hardness by pressing a steel ball with a fixed load of 100 kiloponds. The indenter penetrates the sample and the depth of the indentation is measured. The hardness range starts at B0 (very soft) and ends at B100 (very hard).
Metallurgical Relevance & Risks in Welding
Scale B is suitable for soft metals because it does less damage than other Rockwell scales. Choosing the wrong scale can lead to inaccurate hardness readings and cause the material to be treated incorrectly. This can lead to cracks or unevenness in the weld.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
Use scale B for soft metals like aluminum or lead. Press a steel ball with a load of 100 kiloponds and measure the depth of the indentation. Make sure the sample material isn't damaged. If results are unclear, recheck the hardness or use another scale.