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How to Convert Rockwell Hardness to Tensile Strength

Hardness is a primary concern when deciding which building materials to use for construction. Performing hardness testing can take many forms, depending on the protocols followed. There are many hardness scales and one of the most common is the Rockwell scale. To convert Rockwell Hardness to Tensile Strength, use a polynomial equation developed by modeling the tested materials. The general formula is: TS = c3 * RH^3 + c2 * RH^2 + c1 * RH + c0. "RH" stands for the "Rockwell Hardness" in the formula, and "TS" represents "Tensile Strength."

Things You'll Need

Rockwell hardness value for material
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Determine which Rockwell Hardness scale yielded the hardness value. The hardness scales range from A through V. For an example of the conversion process in this article, assume that the Rockwell Hardness scale B is used.
- 2
  Apply the formula for Tensile Strength obtained from the Rockwell hardness number, TS = c3 * RH^3 + c2 * RH^2 + c1 * RH + c0. The coefficients c3, c2, c1 and c0 are for scale B as 0.0006, -0.1216, 9.3502 and -191.89, respectively. Continuing the example, assume the material yielded a Rockwell hardness number of 100.
- 3
  Solve the Tensile Strength formula by inserting the Rockwell hardness number. Continuing the example, TS = 0.0006 * RH^3 - 0.1216 * RH^2 + 9.3502 * RH -- 191.89 = 0.0006 * (100)^3 - 0.1216 * (100)^2 + 9.3502 * (100) -- 191.89 = 600 -- 1216 + 935.02 -- 191.89 = 127.13. Round the Tensile Strength number to the closest whole number, so the Tensile Strength is 127 ksi.
- 4
  Convert the units of the Tensile Strength to psi using the fact that 1 ksi equals 1000 psi. Multiply the Tensile Strength number by 1000. Finishing the example, the Tensile Strength is 127,000 psi.

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