Computer Simulation of Micro Rebound Hardness Test

Abstract The micro rebound hardness test is characterized by using a small and hard ball as an impact element and measuring the restitution coefficient of the ball against the test piece as a hardness property of the test piece. In this study, in order to determine the specifications for the prototype tester presently under development, the features of the restitution coefficient measured by the test were investigated by computer simulation. In the simulation, the impact ball and the test piece were assumed to be an elastic body and an elastic-plastic body, respectively. Through the simulation, the influences of the factors in the impact ball side, Young's modulus, density and hardness, and of the factors in the test piece side, yield stress, work-hardening index, Young's modulus and thickness, on the restitution coefficient, essential for determining the specifications of the tester and important for understanding the hardness test result, were revealed.