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HARDNESS TEST PROCEDURE

Document No : SPSS/NDT/13

Revision No : 1

Date Issued : 22 OCT. 2011

Revision Date Revision Description

0 05 Sep. 2008 First Issue
1 22 Oct. 2011 Partial Revision

Issued by ________________
R. Mohamed Javidh
ASNT NDT Level III (UT,MT,PT,RT&VT)
File Number - 94493

Authorization __________________
Dr. Falah Abu Jarad
General Manager
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CONTENTS

Article No. Title Page No.

1.0 Scope 03

2.0 Referenced Codes / Standard 03

3.0 Definitions 03

4.0 Personnel Qualification 03

5.0 Personnel Responsibilities 03

6.0 Equipment 03
General Requirements & Procedure For Hardness
7.0 04
Measurement
8.0 Acceptance Criteria 06

9.0 Testing Requirements 06

10.0 Attachment 07
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1.0 Scope
This procedure covers Hardness Testing method in determining the hardness of parent metal
weldments and HAZ after PWHT is completed.

2.0 Reference Codes / Standards

2.1 ASME Sec. VIII Div. 1 (Edition:2010).
2.2 ASME B31.3 (Edition:2008).
2.3 NACE RP 0472 (Edition: 2000).
2.4 NACE MR0175 (Edition: 2000).
2.5 JERES W - 011
2.6 JERES A - 301

3.0 Definition
3.1 Brinell Hardness Test an indentation hardness test using calibrated machines /
equipment into the surface of the material under test and to measure the diameter of the
impression after removal of the load.
3.2 Brinell Hardness number, HB a number related to the applied load and to the surface
area of the permanent impression made by a ball indenter.
3.3 Verification Checking or testing to ensure conformance with the specification.

4.0 Personnel Qualification

4.1 All personnel performing the Hardness Test should be knowledgeable about all aspects of
operation of Hardness Test equipment and method.

5.0 Personnel Responsibilities

5.1 The hardness testing inspector shall be responsible for,
Selection of equipment
Selection of proper test block
Surface preparation
Testing
Recording the test results and report preparation

6.0 Equipment
6.1 The equipment used for the purpose of measuring the Brinell Hardness number of the
heat treated materials shall be limited to the following or the equivalent :
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TELEWELD Portable Hardness Tester (TELEBRINELLER Hardness Tester).

KRAUTKRAMER MICRODUR (MC-10)
6.2 Whenever the equipment is changed to other than mention in 6.1 this procedure shall be
revised and approved for the same before start of job.
6.3 The calibration test block selected shall be of the same BHN as that expected in the
material. For all practical purpose within the scope of this procedure the BHN value of test
blocks selected shall be based on the maximum BHN permitted by the following table: -

MAXIMUM BRINELL HARDNESS

Material Group Wet Sour, Amine, Caustic or Other Service

Hydrogen Services

P-1 200 200

P3, P4 225 235

P5, P6, P7 237 241

7.0 General Requirements & Procedure for Hardness Measurements

7.1 Hardness Inspection can be made on only two adjacent sides of the test bars.
7.2 Replace the indenter (ball) when it is out-of-round.
7.3 All hardness impressions at one test location shall have at least 6.4mm between their
edges or edge of the material.
7.4 Weld deposits shall be tested on the side contacted by the process liquid, whenever
possible. If access to the process side is impractical, such as on piping or small diameter
vessels, testing shall be done as the opposite side.
7.5 Preparing The Test Surface : If necessary, use a grinder, sander or file to remove scale,
rust and decarburized metal from the surface to be tested. On curved surfaces, grind a flat
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spot large enough to contain the test impression. Care should be taken to avoid
overheating or cold working the surface. The surface finish must be such that the edges of
an impression are adequately defined when viewed through the Brinell microscope.
Care shall be taken to avoid excessive heating or cold working of the surface, which will
change the hardness of the surface and lead to erroneous readings
Do not take readings on scaled or discoloured areas.
Ensure that the test block is flat on the test surface.
7.6 Selecting the Telebrineller Test Bar: Maximum accuracy of Telebrineller tests is
maintained if the Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) of the Test Bar is no more than 10%
harder or softer than the BHN of the tested part. The BHN of a Test Bar is etched on both
ends. If the approximate BHN of the part is completely unknown, you may use any Test
Bar to determine an approximate BHN. Then, if necessary, the accuracy may be refined
by retesting with a Bar within the + or -10% range.
7.7 Inserting the Test Bar : Depress the Button on the Spacer Block Assembly (7) of the
Bar Holder and slide it forward to the end of the slot nearest the Anvil (2). Release the
Button so it locks into the first detent. Insert a Test Bar (1) into the Bar Holder until it
butts against the Spacer Block and proceed with making a test as described in the next
three sections. After completing the first test, index. the Spacer Block Assembly back one
notch and reinsert the Test Bar In the same orientation. Continue testing and indexing
until 10 impressions have been made then return the Spacer Block Assembly to the front
detent. Insert the opposite end of the Bar into the Bar Holder and repeat the process for 10
more tests. By following the same procedure for the other face of the Test Bar, max. 40
tests indentations can be made with each Bar.
7.8 Making the Impressions: Place the Bar Holder on the surface to be tested with the Anvil
(2) above the test location. If the Rubber Rear Piece (4) cannot rest on the same surface, it
must be supported by hand so the Bar Holder remains parallel to the test surface. Using a
hammer weighing at least 2 1/2 pounds, strike a sharp blow squarely on the Anvil. Pull the
hammer back on the rebound so it does not bounce on the Anvil which can cause
secondary impressions. To keep the blow square on the Anvil, so the Bar Holder does not
move laterally and produce smeared impressions, grip the hammer handle close to the
head and use a perpendicular punching motion rather than an arced swing. The force of
the blow is not a critical factor but it 1s advisable that it be regulated to make impressions
in the 3 mm to 4 mm range. On harder materials (above 450 BHN) smaller impressions
will be satisfactory.
7.9 Measuring the Impressions: Place the Brinell Microscope over the impression in the test
specimen (6). If ambient light is insufficient, use the penlight on the scope to illuminate
the impression. If necessary, screw the top lens up or down until, when looking through
the scope, the measuring scale and the impression are both in sharp focus. Rotate the
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upper part of the scope until the scale is crosswise to any surface striations and position
the scope so the 1 mm graduation is over one edge of the impression. Use the scale at the
opposite side of the impression to measure the diameter. Note that the scale is graduated
in .1 mm increments and measurements may be estimated to the nearest .05 mm. After
recording the diameter of the impression in the test specimen, pull the Telebrineller Test
Bar far enough from the Bar Holder to expose the corresponding impression and repeat
the above process to determine its diameter.
7.10 Krautkramer Microdur 10 (MC-10) : Hardness tester utilizes a dynamic method based
on energy measurements. Measured values of impact and rebound velocities are processed
in a portable computer and digitally displayed as hardness in HB values.
7.11 Determining the Brinell Hardness : Having made and measured the impression in the
test specimen and the Telebrineller Test Bar, the hardness of the specimen can be
calculated as follows :

Alternatively, the hardness of the specimen can be found using the Telebrineller Computer
(slide) which is part of the Teleweld Portable Telebrineller.

8.0 Acceptance Criteria

8.1 ASME B31.3 Table 331.1.1 lists hardness limits for production welds. Reading which
exceed specified limits by 10BHN shall be cause for performing 3 additional tests local to
the initial test area. The weld is considered acceptable if all three testes are below specified
limits. If the readings remain out with that specified, the weld shall be considered
unacceptable.
8.2 For H.I.C tested, hardness acceptance shall be as per NACE MR0175, Clause 3.2 (Carbon
and Loy-Alloy Steel) and Clause 3.5 (Austenitic Stainless Steel) requirements

90 Test Requirements (Applicable only for Tests based on NACE RPO472)

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9.1 Production Hardness Test shall be taken one every 3 meters of main seam weld, but not
less than one set readings for each main seams. One test shall be taken on each nozzle,
flange to neck, nozzle neck to shell, weld and piping butt weld.
9.2 Each welding procedure used shall be tested.
9.3 Testing of fillet weld deposits shall be done when feasible. One test shall be made for each
3 meter of weld length.
9.4 For piping welds, 5% minimum of the butt welds shall be tested, unless otherwise specified
in the contract.

10.0 Attachment
10.1 Report Form for Hardness Test.
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<Attachment #1> Report Form for HT