Elcometer 3095
Buchholz Hardness Tester
English
Operating Instructions
English
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is a registered trademark of Elcometer Instruments Ltd.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Instruments Ltd. 2005.
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 Instruments Ltd.
Doc.No. TMA-0341 Issue 01
Text with Cover No: 19610
CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About your tester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Fitting batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Adjusting the microscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Adjusting the supporting pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Testing a specimen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5 Technical specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
6 Spares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
7 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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hank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness
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Tester. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of
inspection equipment for coatings and concrete. Our products cover all aspects
of coating inspection, from development through application to post application
inspection.
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester is a world beating product. With
the purchase of this product 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 YOUR TESTER
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester is a simple-to-use gauge for
measuring the hardness of coatings on substrates using an indentation method.
The indenting tool incorporates a disc which has a sharp bevelled edge. The
tool is positioned on the test specimen with the edge of the disc in contact with
the coating. The mass of the tool provides a constant load between the disc and
the coating.
After a set period of time the tool is removed and the length of the indentation
left on the coating is observed and measured using the illuminated microscope
supplied with the tester.
The length of the indentation is inversely proportional to the hardness of the
coating.
1.1 Standards
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester can be used in accordance with
the following National and International Standards:
• BS 3900 E9
• DIN 53153
• ECCA T12 - 1985
• EN ISO NF 2815
• NF T 30-052
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1.2 What the box contains
• Indentation tool with bevelled disc and two locating pins
• Pin adjusting shim
• Indentation locating template
• Illuminated microscope
• Hexagonal wrench
• Plastic carrying case
• Operating Instructions
To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness
Tester please take some time to read these Operating Instructions. Do not
hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have any
questions.
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2 GETTING STARTED
2.1 Fitting batteries
The microscope light source is powered by two batteries. To fit the batteries,
remove the light source from the microscope, rotate and remove the bulb
enclosure and insert the batteries ensuring correct polarity (Figure 1). Refit the
components in reverse order.
-
+
Figure 1. Microscope light source - battery polarity
If the microscope is to remain unused for long periods of time, remove the
batteries and store them separately. This will prevent damage to the
microscope in the event of malfunction of the batteries.
To switch on the light source, rotate the black end cap.
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2.2 Adjusting the microscope
Adjust the focus and the scale of the microscope before you take a reading
(Figure 2):
1. Adjust the focus on the scale by rotating the knurled rubber eyepiece.
2. Rotate the scale as required.
3. Place the microscope on a flat surface, switch on the light and adjust the
focus on the specimen by rotating the large knurled ring.
1. Focus on scale
2. Rotate scale
3. Focus on specimen
Figure 2. Microscope focusing and scale rotation
2.3 Adjusting the supporting pins
Take care when adjusting and using the indenting tool; the points of the
supporting pins are very sharp and can puncture skin.
The indenting tool supporting pins have points on each end and can therefore
be inverted if they become worn or damaged. To remove the pins, unscrew the
hexagon screws on each side of the indenting tool. Refit the pins, tighten the
hexagon screws and then adjust the length of the pins using the adjusting shim
included with your tester (Figure 3):
1. Place the adjusting shim on a flat hard surface.
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2. Place the indenting tool on the adjusting shim with the supporting pins in
the holes in the shim.
3. Loosen the hexagon screws until the pins drop down to the surface and
then re tighten the screws.
Loosen and
re tighten
hexagon
screws
Adjusting
shim
Figure 3. Adjusting the supporting pins
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3 TESTING A SPECIMEN
To test a specimen, follow steps 1 to 7 below:
1. Place the indentation locating template on the specimen. Position the
template with respect to the test zone as shown in Figure 4 and press down
firmly against the specimen to hold the template in place.
Template
Specimen
Test zone
Figure 4. Template positioning
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2. Hold the indenting tool angled as
shown and lower it onto the
template, supporting pins first,
until the pins locate in the two
holes in the template.
3. Rotate the indenting tool very
gently until the bevelled disc
touches the surface of the
specimen (Figure 5). As soon as
the disc touches the specimen,
start a stop watch.
4. After 30 s, rotate the indenting
tool away from the surface of the
specimen and then lift it away
completely taking care not to
dislodge the template from its
position on the specimen.
0
5
55
10
50
15
45
20
40
2535
30
Figure 5. Indenting tool and template on a specimen
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5. Keeping the template pressed down firmly against the specimen, place the
microscope into the rounded shape of the template, with the light source
orientated at right angles to the indentation (Figure 6).
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Figure 6. Microscope and template on a specimen
6. Adjust the focus, positioning and rotation of the scale of the microscope
until the indentation is visible clearly and can be measured against the
scale (Figure 7). Record the length of the indentation.
1.0 2.0 3.03.0 2.0 1.0
0.11 DIV
Figure 7. Typical view of indentation through microscope
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7. Use the table below to determine the indentation resistance and depth.
Indentation
length
Indentation
resistance
Indentation
depth
Minimum coating
thickness for which a
measurement is valid
(mm) (µm) (mils) (µm) (mils)
0.8 125 5 0.2 15 0.59
0.85 118 6 0.24 20 0.79
0.9 111 7 0.28 20 0.79
0.95 105 7 0.28 20 0.79
1.0 100 8 0.31 20 0.79
1.05 95 9 0.35 20 0.79
1.1 91 10 0.39 20 0.79
1.15 87 11 0.43 25 1
1.2 83 12 0.47 25 1
1.3 77 14 0.55 25 1
1.4 71 16 0.63 30 1.18
1.5 67 18 0.71 30 1.18
1.6 63 21 0.83 35 1.38
1.7 59 24 0.94 35 1.38
4 MAINTENANCE
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester is designed to give many years
reliable service under normal operating and storage conditions.
Store the components of the test set in a dry and clean place. Avoid contact with
solvents.
4.1 Bevelled disc
If the bevelled disc in the indentor tool becomes worn, remove the black plastic
cap on the side of the tool, loosen the screw, rotate the disc to expose a new
sharp edge, re tighten the screw and then replace the plastic cap. Replacement
discs are available as spare parts - see “Spares” on page 10 for ordering
information.
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4.2 Supporting pins
At regular intervals check the indentor tool supporting pins for wear; see
“Getting started” on page 3 for details of how to change and adjust the pins.
Replacement pins are available as spare parts - see “Spares” on page 10 for
ordering information.
4.3 Microscope
Keep the lenses of the microscope clean. The lenses must be cleaned only with
products suitable for use with optical components.
The tester does not contain any other user-serviceable components. In the
unlikely event of a fault, the Elcometer 3095 should be returned to your local
Elcometer supplier or directly to Elcometer.
Details of Elcometer offices around the world are given on the outside cover of
these operating instructions. Alternatively visit the Elcometer website,
www.elcometer.com
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5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Load on sample: 500 g (1.1 lb)
Microscope magnification: 20 x
Scale divisions: 0.1 mm (4 mils)
Battery type: 2 x AA (LR6) 1.5 V, alkaline
Dimensions (case): 360 mm x 310 mm x 120 mm
(14.2" x 12.2" x 4.7")
Weight: 2.9 kg (6.4 lb)
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester is packed in a cardboard and
foam package. Please ensure that this packaging is disposed of in an
environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental Authority
for further guidance.
a
dry batteries
a. Alkaline batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid environmental contamination.
Please consult your local environmental authority for information on disposal in your
region.
Do not dispose of any batteries in fire.
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6 SPARES
The Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester is complete with all the items
required to get started, however over the life of the tester replacements may be
required.
The following replacement items are available from your local supplier or direct
from Elcometer:
Description Part Number
Supporting pins, set of 2 KT003095P001
Bevelled Hardened Steel Disc KT003095P002
7 RELATED EQUIPMENT
In addition to the Elcometer 3095 Buchholz Hardness Tester, Elcometer
produces a wide range of other equipment for determining the physical
characteristics of surface coatings. Users of the Elcometer 3000 may also
benefit from the following Elcometer products:
• Elcometer 3101 Barcol Hardness Tester
• Elcometer 7300 Digital Stop Watch
• Elcometer 3120 Shore Durometer
• Elcometer Washability, Brushability and Abrasion Testers
• Elcometer Scratch Testers
• Elcometer Elasticity and Deformation Testers
For further information contact Elcometer, your local supplier or visit
www.elcometer.com
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