Brinnell hardness test [Johann A. Brinnell, Swedish engineer, 1849–1925] , a means of determining the surface hardness of a material by measuring the resistance the material offers to the impact of a steel ball. The test result is recorded as the Brinnell hardness number (BHN); harder materials have higher BHNs. The Brinnell hardness test is commonly used to measure abrasion resistance in materials used in dental restorations, such as amalgams, cements, and porcelains. Compare Knoop hardness test.
