PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: (561) 320-9162
Fax: (561) 320-9176
info@pce-americas.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: (0) 2380 98703 0
Fax: (0) 2380 98703 9
info@pce-instruments.com
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
Manual
Durometer PCE-1000
Version 1.0
Date of creation: 07.09.2015
Date of last change: 12.04.2016
Manual
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Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
1.1 General ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Measuring method ...................................................................................................................... 3
2 Safety notes ............................................................................................................. 4
3 Specifications .......................................................................................................... 5
4 System description ................................................................................................. 5
4.1 Device ......................................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Display ........................................................................................................................................ 6
5 Explanations ............................................................................................................ 6
6 Operation ................................................................................................................. 7
6.1 Preparations before the measurement ....................................................................................... 7
6.1.1 Sample ........................................................................................................................................... 7
6.1.2 Coupling ......................................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Operation diagram ...................................................................................................................... 8
6.3 Switch on .................................................................................................................................... 9
6.4 Menu ........................................................................................................................................... 9
6.4.1 Direction of impact ......................................................................................................................... 9
6.4.2 Material settings ............................................................................................................................. 9
6.4.3 Hardness scale .............................................................................................................................. 9
6.4.4 Mean time .................................................................................................................................... 10
6.4.5 Storage ......................................................................................................................................... 10
6.4.6 Read out / delete stored data ....................................................................................................... 10
6.4.7 Check out the serial number ........................................................................................................ 10
6.4.8 Restore factory settings ............................................................................................................... 11
6.4.9 Return to measurement mode ..................................................................................................... 11
6.5 Measurement ............................................................................................................................ 11
6.6 Show statistical values ............................................................................................................. 12
6.7 Calibration................................................................................................................................. 12
6.8 How to charge the battery ........................................................................................................ 12
7 Disposal ................................................................................................................. 13
8 Contact ................................................................................................................... 13
8.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 13
8.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 13
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1 Introduction
1.1 General
Thank you for purchasing a durometer PCE-1000 from PCE Instruments. The PCE-1000 portable
hardness tester is ideal for testing the surface hardness of metallic surfaces quickly. In metallurgy, it’s
very important to know the hardness of the materials being used and this device allows for the materials
to be tested in the factory. The hardness tester brings together the parameters of Rockwell B & C, Vickers
HV, Brinell HB, Shore HS and Leeb HL.
Thanks to its portability, this hardness meter is very useful in production, quality control and technical
service. Its compact design and rechargeable battery makes this a very easy device to use. The PCE1000 hardness tester can be used in any position but doesn't have the capability to transfer or store data.
1.2 Measuring method
The measuring method by Leeb has first been applied in 1978. It is defined by the ratio the rebound
speed of an impacting object and its impact speed multiplied by 1000. The harder the surface of the
material is, the higher the rebound speed. The Leeb hardness value is able to make a direct connection
between a group of materials (e.g. aluminium, steel,…) and its attributes.
For the most common metallic parts there are conversion tables which help to transfer HL-values in other
hardness units (HB, HV, HRC, etc.)
A hydraulic impactor with a spherical measuring tip (tungsten carbide) is skidded towards the surface and
it then rebounds back. The impact- and rebound speeds are measured at a distance of 1 mm from the
surface to be measured by making use of the following method:
A hydraulic impactor with an assembled permanent magnet induces an electric voltage when passing the
coil. The electric voltage has a proportional ratio to the velocity of the magnet.
Leeb hardness values can be calculated by using the following formula:
HL = 1000 x (VB / VA)
HL : Hardness by Leeb
VB : Velocity back
VA : Velocity at arrival
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Here you can see the stress curve when the hydraulic impactor passes the induction coil.
If the hardness of a material is measured with the conventional statistically method, the measured value
is influenced by the pressure applied (720 HLD ≠ 720 HLC). Different hydraulic impactors will lead to
different exchange tables, you should always refer to the hydraulic impactor used.
2 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.
- The device may only be used in approved temperature range
- The opening of the case should only be done by qualified personnel of the PCE Instruments.
- You should not make technical changes on the device
- The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner
- Always store the device in a cool, dry place.
This user's handbook is published from PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms, they can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.
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3 Specifications
Display
LCD with backlight display
Accuracy
±3 HL @ HL = 800 (0,4 %)
Measurement range
170...960 HL
Measured units
HL, HRC, HRB, HB, HV, HS, HRA, σb
Materials
9 different usable materials
Storage
99 records
Hydraulic impactor
D
Power
Automatically
Power supply
DC 9 V Ni-MH Akku
Surounding temperature
0 ... +50 °C
Max. temperature of the samples
120 °C
Minimum hardness layer
0,8 mm
Minimal thickness of the sample
3 mm
Dimensions
100 x 60 x 33 mm
Weight
150 g
4 System description
4.1 Device
“M”-Button: Menu, Calculation of average and MIN/MAX, adjustment upwards
“C“-Button: change settings, delete outliners, adjustment downwards, retrieve storage
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4.2 Display
5 Explanations
Symbol
Meaning
LD
Leeb hardness value with a hydraulic impactor D
HB
Brinell hardness value
HRB
Rockwell B hardness value
HRC
Rockwell C hardness value
HSD
Shore hardness value
HV
Vickers hardness value
σb
Tensile strength
Hydraulic impactor D HLD: 170-960
HRC
HRB
HB
HV
HSD
Steel
20,0 – 67,9
59,6 – 99,5
80 – 647
80 – 940
32.5 – 99.5
Tool steel
20,5 – 67,1
80 – 898
Stainless steel
19,6 – 62,4
46,5 – 101,7
85 – 655
85 - 802
Grey cast iron
93 – 334
Spheroidal
graphite iron
131 – 387
Aluminium
cast
30 – 159
Brass
13,5 – 95,3
40 – 173
Bronze
60 – 290
Copper
45 – 315
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6 Operation
6.1 Preparations before the measurement
6.1.1 Sample
Type of hydraulic impactor
Classification of samples in weight classes
Heavy
Medium-weight
Light
D
>5 kg
2 … 5 kg
0,05 … 2 kg
Please note that the hydraulic impactor is shortly subjected to a relatively high impact force, considering
his low mass and his impact energy, when it impinges on the surface. The maximum impact force for a
type D device is 900 Newton.
- The surface temperature of the test object should be below 120 °C.
- The test object should obtain a smoothly grinded surface in order to avoid faulty measurements.
These faulty measurements may be an effect of rough grinding or grooves by a lath machine.
- The throatiness of the test object shall not exceed 2 µm.
- For test object above 5 kg, which have a compact form, there are no preparations needed,
- Test objects between 2 and 5 kg or heavier objects with protruding parts or thin sides shall be
placed on a stable subsurface so they do not break or deform when the hydraulic impactor hits
them. If they deform or break the Leeb value may be wrong.
- Note that also bigger test objects may deform if they have thin sides or protruding parts.
- Test objects below 2 kg should be coupled to a stable (above 5 kg heavy) subsurface.
- The hardened layer of the testing object no not be any thinner than 0,8 mm.
- The surface of the test object should not be magnetic.
- Curved surfaces of test objects should at least have a radius 30 mm. Otherwise a supporting ring
is needed.
- Measuring instruments that work by using the impact force only work properly when the impactor
is at a certain point of the guide tube, when hitting the test object. If spherical or cylindrical
objects that are arched to the inside of the test object are measured, the measurement may not
be correct.
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6.1.2 Coupling
- The coupling surface between test object and base plate should be flat, levelled and straight.
- Apply a thin and evenly layer of coupling compound to the contact surface of the test object.
- Press the test object tightly onto the subsurface by turning it.
- The direction of impact should be vertical to the coupled surface.
- The minimum thickness of the coupling sample is 5 mm.
- In order to perform reliable measurements, the test objects need to be coupled correctly. If that is
not the case there discrepancies between the measurements. In addition to that the Leeb-values
may be too little and differ and there may be rattling noises when the impactor hits the test object.
6.2 Operation diagram
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6.3 Switch on
Press the release button on top of the device and it will switch to measuring mode.
6.4 Menu
Press the “M”—button and hold it. Eventually the word “MENU” blinks. This is how you get to the point
where the direction of impact can be set (“DIRE”). Keep pressing “M” until you get to the point where you
can set the material attributes (“MATE”), hardness scale (“CONV”) and the mean time (“AVER”). In the
end you return to the normal measurement mode.
6.4.1 Direction of impact
When “M”-button has been pressed and you got the point “DIRE”, you will have to press “C” in order to
adjust the direction of impact.
6.4.2 Material settings
After reaching the “MATE”-section “C” needs to be pressed until your preferred material is chosen (M1 …
M9)
M1: Steel / cast steel M2: Cold work steel
M3: Stainless steel M4: Grey cast iron
M5: Spheroidal graphite iron M6: Aluminium cast
M7: Brass M8: Bronze
M9: Copper alloy
6.4.3 Hardness scale
After you got to the point “CONV”, press C until the needed hardness scale (HLD, HRC, HRB, HB, HV,
HS, HRA, σb) has been selected.
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6.4.4 Mean time
After you got to the point “AVER”, press C until the desired mean time (0, 3, 4, 5) is reached. By choosing
0 no mean time is set.
6.4.5 Storage
After you got to the point “SAVE”, press C once or twice, depending on if you want switch on or switch off
the storage function. It is made possible to save 99 values which can be read out at a later point of time. If
the storage function is enabled in the bottom-left corner of the LCD “-00” is displayed. All measured data
is stored automatically.
6.4.6 Read out / delete stored data
After you got to the point “MEMR”, press C to enter the read-out-mode. Press “M” and “C” simultaneously
to view the measured values. If there are no measurement values the LCD will show “NOD”. “M” and “C”
serve to scroll through the stored data. HOLD “M” and “C” simultaneously for about 5 seconds to exit the
read-out mode and delete the measured data.
6.4.7 Check out the serial number
After you got to the point “SN”, press C to view the serial number. It will be displayed. Press “M” again to
get to the next point of the menu.
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6.4.8 Restore factory settings
After you got to the point “DSET”, press C to choose between “ESC” to abort and “rdS” to restore the
factory settings. By pressing “C” you confirm your selection.
6.4.9 Return to measurement mode
Press “M” once again to return to the measurement mode. The durometer will display “000”.
6.5 Measurement
1. Press the release button on top of the durometer to switch it on.
2. Push the roll pin in the slot of the hydraulic impactor until the hydraulic impactor until it locks.
3. Press the durometer tightly onto the surface that is to be measured.
4. Press the release button on top of the durometer to perform a measurement. The measured
value is indicated on the LCD.
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6.6 Show statistical values
After measuring with certain mean times, press „M“ several times, if needed. By pressing it once the
display will indicate the average value, by pressing it twice it will display the maximum value and by
pressing it three times, the minimum value will be shown.
Note: In case there is a value during the measurement which is unrealistic, you have to press “C” in order
to erase the value so that it will not be part of the statistical values. Otherwise the calculation of the
average will be wrong.
6.7 Calibration
After a certain period of using the durometer, the measuring tip will have suffered from the impacts. This
might lead to faulty measurements. In that case we suggest to re-calibrate the device.
- The calibration is based on the HLD scale
- The mean time needs to be set three times
- To calibrate you need to perform three measurements on the test block
- Hold the “C” button until the calibration mode is opened. On the left side of the display “ADJ” is
displayed.
- Press “C” or “M” to reduce or increase the standard value.
- Hold “M” to finish calibration.
- Hold “C” to abort without saving the settings.
Please note: If the deviation is not higher than the one written down in the specifications, do not calibrate
the device. If the hydraulic impactor is replaced, erase the calibration.
6.8 How to charge the battery
When the battery indicator appears on the LCD, this is to remind you to charge the battery.
Measurements can still be taken but the remaining time is limited. To avoid inaccuracies, please make
sure to replace or charge the battery. Insert the plug of the battery charger into the socket on the right
side of tester. Then connect the battery charger to mains power to start charging the battery. It may take
12-15 hours to fully charge the battery.
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7 Disposal
For the disposal of batteries, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the
contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to
collection points designed for that purpose.
In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or
give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.
If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments
8 Contact
If you have any questions about our range of products or measuring instruments please contact PCE
Instruments.
8.1 PCE Instruments UK
By post:
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
Hampshire
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
By phone:
02380 987 035
8.2 PCE Americas
By post:
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
33458 FL
USA
By phone:
561 320 9162
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