Vickers Hardness (HV) Benchmarks for Extruded Brass vs Sintered Metal Components
Engineering Overview: Engineering guide on Vickers (HV) and Rockwell (HRC) hardness benchmarks for extruded brass, sintered steel cams, and tungsten anti-drill pins.
Technical & Engineering Specifications
| Standard | EN 1303:2015 Material Integrity |
|---|---|
| Quality Control | Automated Micro-Indentation QC Inspection |
| Testing Standard | ISO 6507 (Vickers Hardness) / ASTM E18 (Rockwell) |
| Component Hardness Gradient | 120 HV (Body) to 1600 HV (Tungsten Barriers) |
Micro-Hardness Distribution Across Lock Components
A high-security lock cylinder is an assembly of materials engineered with tailored hardness gradients:
- Cylinder Body (Extruded H59 Brass): 110 – 140 HV for machinability and dimensional stability.
- Rotating Plug (Extruded H62 Brass): 120 – 145 HV for keyway wear resistance.
- Drive Cam (Sintered 40Cr Steel): 45 – 52 HRC (~450 HV) for impact fatigue resistance.
- Anti-Drill Pins (Tungsten Carbide): 78 – 82 HRC (~1600 HV) for drill deflection.
Frequently Asked Engineering & Selection Questions
Q1: What is the hardness difference between a brass lock body and anti-drill pins?
A brass body has a hardness of ~120-140 HV, while tungsten anti-drill pins reach 1600 HV (80 HRC) to destroy high-speed drill bits.