History of Rockwell hardness tests

[CoryPad]

Can anyone recommend a source for historical information on this test? For example, where did the name Brale come from? There is a book by D. Tabor called Hardness of Metals, which is widely referenced, so that may be a good one. Any others? Thanks.

 

[TVP]

The following is referenced in NIST SP 960-05:

Indentation Hardness Testing by V. E. Lysaght. Published by Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1949, pp. 57-105.

 

[Bugman]

There may be some information of use here

http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1404

 

[bilge]

It was invented in 1919 by a metallurgist named Stanley F. Rockwell.

There is a library of technology at MIT (the Bitmer(?)) which might have the info you want. Then, again, you might want to check with the manufacturer, the Wilson Instrument Diivision of the American Chain and Cable Company, Inc.

I hope you post the answer to who, what, or where is "Brale."

 

[CoryPad]

bilge,

Wilson Instruments is now owned by Instron Corporation.

I have access to the University of Michigan library, so I will be making a trip there soon to investigate.

I will post the answer about Brale if I find it.

 

[CoryPad]

I found the answer regarding Brale. According to a manager at Wilson/Instron, the word Brale (which has been a registered trademark since 1957) was created to mimic the word Braille because the spheroconical diamond indenter style allowed the user to "see" the material's hardness.

 

[EngineerDave]

Fascinating. Braille indeed. I would like to hear more about histories famous metallurgists.

I am working on a side project that will do just that on a very specific topic in metallurgy. I would say more but don't want to spoil the surprise (it will be some time in the making)