enElcometer 3080

Hardness Testing Pencils

Operating Instructions

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Ris a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2009 - 2012.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval
system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Limited.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via www.elcometer.com.
Doc.No. TMA-0370 Issue 04
Text with Cover No: 19810

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About this instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2Using the pencils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Technical specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Spares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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RCONTENTS

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Thank you for your purchase of this set of Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils. Welcome toElcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatingsand concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application
to post application inspection.
This set of Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils is a world beating product. With the purchase of thisproduct you now have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more
information visit our website at www.elcometer.com

1 ABOUT THIS INSTRUMENT
This set of Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils is a simple but effective way to determine thehardness of a coating.
A pencil is pushed into the coating at 45 degrees.
The hardness of the pencils is increased (ISO) or decreased (ASTM) until one or both of the following
defects mark the coating:•

The pencil that will not cut or gouge the coating•

The pencil that will not scratch the coating

The set of pencils supplied covers a wide range of lead hardness; 6H (very hard) to 6B (very soft).

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Set of 14 pencils, 6B to 6H•

2 Pencil sharpeners•

Storage stand•Sandpaper block•

Operating instructions

The set of Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils ispacked in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensurethat this packaging is disposed of in an environmentallysensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental
Authority for further guidance.
To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer 3080Hardness Testing Pencils please take some time toread these Operating Instructions. Do not hesitate tocontact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you
have any questions.
1.2 STANDARDSThe Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils can be used in accordance with the following National andInternational Standards : ASTM D 3363, BS 3900-E19, EN 13523-4 supersedes ECCA T4, ISO 15184,
JIS K 5600-5-4.

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1.1 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINSen

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2 USING THE PENCILS
2.1 BEFORE YOU STARTThe test should be carried out at 23°C ± 2°C (73.5°F ± 3.5°F) and 50% ± 5% relative humidity, unlessotherwise agreed.
2.2 PREPARE THE PENCILS
1. Use the special pencil sharpeners supplied:
Use sharpener T99923040-1 for pencils 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B and 2B.
Use sharpener T99923040-2 for pencils 3B, 4B, 5B and 6B.
Sharpen until approximately 5 mm to 6 mm (¼") of lead, is exposed taking care to leave the exposed
lead unmarked.
2. Place a sheet of abrasive paper (400 grade) on a flat, hard surface.
3. Hold the pencil at 90° to the abrasive paper and rub the lead until aflat, smooth and circular cross-section is achieved. Ensure that theedge is free of chips or nicks.
2.3 SELECT A PENCIL
When testing to BS 3900 E19 and ISO 15184, always start with thesoftest pencil (6B) and then work up the hardness scale.
When testing to ASTM D 3363, always start with the hardest pencil (6H) and then work down the hardnessscale.
4Place the test panel on a level, firm, horizontal surface.
Hold a pencil firmly with the lead at an angle of 45° to the surface of the test panel and the point facing
away from you.
Push the pencil away from you approximately 6 mm (¼") applying sufficient downward pressure to cut or
scratch the coating or to crumble the edge of the lead.
2.5 INSPECT
Check the test surface by either close visual inspection, by feel using a fingernail or, if agreed, using a
microscope with between x6 and x10 magnification.
For ASTM D 3363 identify the end point of the test as follows:•Gouge hardness; the hardest pencil that leaves the coating uncut over a stroke length of at least 3 mm.

•Scratch hardness; the hardest pencil that will not rupture or scratch the coating.

For ISO 15184 note one or both of the following defects:•Plastic deformation; a permanent indentation in the paint surface without cohesive fracture.

•Cohesive fracture; the presence of a visible scratch or rupture in the surface of the paint film, material
having been removed from the paint film.

2.6 REPEAT THE TESTThe test procedure (2.3 to 2.5) should be repeated 12 mm (½”) away from the first test using the next pencil.
If the two test results differ by more than one unit of pencil hardness, discard the results and repeat the test.

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2.4 PUSH THE PENCIL

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2.7 TEST REPORTThe following information should be contained in any report on the results of the Pencil Test:•The type of defect resulting from the test; see “About this instrument” on page 2.

•The make and manufacture of the pencils used.

•Any deviation from standard conditions including the temperature and humidity conditions of the test
and the roughness of the coating surface.

•The magnification of the microscope, if one is used.

Note: In some cases the two test end points will be the same.

3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Pencil Type:

Marked on edge of pencils

Grades:6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B

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The following spare parts are available from your local Elcometer supplier or direct from Elcometer:
Description

Sales Part No.

Description

Sales Part No.

Replacement pencil set:

T99923039

Pencils, B, box of 12:

T99923042-6

Sharpener, for 6H to 2B: T99923040-1

Pencils, HB, box of 12:

T99923042-7

Sharpener, for 3B to 6B: T99923040-2

Pencils, F, box of 12:

T99923042-8

Sandpaper Block:T99923041

Pencils, H, box of 12:

T99923042-9

Pencils, 6B, box of 12:

T99923042-1

Pencils, 2H, box of 12:

T99923042-10

Pencils, 5B, box of 12:

T99923042-2

Pencils, 3H, box of 12:

T99923042-11

Pencils, 4B, box of 12:

T99923042-3

Pencils, 4H, box of 12:

T99923042-12

Pencils, 3B, box of 12:

T99923042-4

Pencils, 5H, box of 12:

T99923042-13

Pencils, 2B, box of 12:

T99923042-5

Pencils, 6H, box of 12:

T99923042-14

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4 SPARESen

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5 RELATED EQUIPMENT
In addition to the Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils, Elcometer produces a wide range of otherHardness Testing Equipment.
Users of the Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils may also benefit from the following Elcometerproduct ranges:•Elcometer Elasticity and Resistance to Deformation Testers•Elcometer Appearance Testers•Elcometer Washability, Brushability and Abrasion Testers

For further information contact Elcometer, your local supplier or visit www.elcometer.com

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