Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 5

Durometer Technical Information

Measuring Suggestions
The principle used to measure hardness is based on measuring the resistance force of the
penetration of a pin into the test material under a known spring load. The amount of penetration
(max. 2.5 mm) is converted to hardness reading on a scale with 100 units.
1. Whenever possible, a Durometer measurement should be taken at least 12 mm (approx.
0.500") in from the edge of a sample, as the hardness characteristic of any sample tends to
change at at the edges.
2. Whenever possible, the thickness of a sample should exceed 6 mm (approx. 0.250"). If the
sample is thinner then this, then the sample can be backed with a sample of the same material to
increase the thickness.
3. Test Coupons or test blocks (rubber or plastic) should not be used for calibration verification.
As all samples are subject to characteristic changes over time along with temperature and
lighting conditions, the rated Shore value when supplied as new can and will vary with age.
Proper calibration verification requires independent confirmation of the internal spring forces
along with the verification of the pin displacement vs. the indicated value on the scale.
4. Per the ASTM Standard D 2240, readings below 10 and above 90 are not to be
considered reliable and should be discarded. Therefore, it is important to select the
approapriate Scale that will provide results between 10-90 units.
ASTM D-2240
Principle of Operation

Frequently Asked Questions


"My durometer rests below zero, is it out of calibration?" This is a common question asked by
durometer users. The answer to the question, in most cases, is no. Certain durometers rest at
roughly six points below zero: this is because the gauges are made in accordance with ASTM
D2240, which states that some durometers have a preload of 56g at a zero reading. Therefore, a
durometer giving a less-than-zero reading at rest is not out of calibration.

What is the difference between reagent grade and laboratory (lab) grade
chemicals?
Reagent grade chemicals are selected and best suited for general laboratory experiments. Chemical purity
conforms or exceeds quality specifications established by the American Chemical Society.
Laboratory grade chemicals typically meet a minimum purity standard and are usually acceptable for experiments
and demonstrations which do not require qualitative results.
Regardless of the chemical's quality, Flinn Scientific inspects each and every chemical it packages for freshness
and quality.
Flinn chemicals are the best!
Digital Coating Thickness Gauges

The Elcometer range of digital coating thickness gauges has been specifically designed to provide highly
accurate, reliable and repeatable coating thickness measurements on almost any substrate, whether ferrous or
non-ferrous.

Dry Film Thickness can be measured on either magnetic steel surfaces or non-magnetic metal surfaces such as
stainless steel or aluminium using a digital coating thickness gauge. The principle of electromagnetic induction is
used for non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates such as steel. The eddy current principle is used for nonconductive coatings on non-ferrous metals substrates.

Elcometer offer a range of digital coating thickness gauges from the new Elcometer 456 - available with either
integral or separate probes, the Elcometer 415 Paint and Powder Thickness Gauge, to the Elcometer 311
Automotive Refinishing Gauge.

Mechanical Coating Thickness Gauges


The Elcometer range of mechanical coating thickness gauges provides cost-effective dry film thickness
measurement. Mechanical Coating Thickness Gauges are suitable for working in high risk areas such as high
temperature or flammable atmospheres, underwater or where the risk of explosion is high and could be triggered
by the use of an electronic instrument.

From the simplest pre-calibrated pull-off coating thickness gauge Elcometer 157 which will provide you with quick
and immediate results to the more accurate coating thickness gauge Elcometer 211, also called the "banana
gauge" which is ideal for cold and underwater surfaces.

Destructive Coating Thickness Gauges


Designed for measuring on a non-metallic substrate or assessing the thickness of a multi-coat paint, Elcometer
offer a range of destructive coating thickness gauges such as the Elcometer 121/4 and Elcometer 141 that are
portable and easy to use.

How does a Coating Thickness Gauge work?


Dry film thickness can be measured on either magnetic steel surfaces or non-magnetic metal surfaces such as
stainless steel or aluminium using a digital coating thickness gauge. The principle of electromagnetic induction is
used for non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates such as steel. The eddy current principle is used for nonconductive coatings on non-ferrous metals substrates.

Permanent Magnet Coating Thickness Gauges


A permanent magnet is mounted on a balanced arm and the force required to pull this magnet from the surface of
the coating is a measure of the thickness of the coating. Force is applied through a helical spring attached to the
balanced arm at one end and to a scale wheel at the other. As the scale wheel is turned the force is progressively
increased until the magnet lifts from the surface. The scale is drawn in thickness units rather than force and the
thickness of the coating can be read against a pointer on the case of the instrument.

Electromagnetic Induction Coating Thickness Gauges


Electronic coating thickness gauges for measuring on magnetic substrate materials use the electromagnetic
induction principle. A three-coil probe system is used where the central coil is powered by the instrument and the
other two coils, either side of the central coil, detect the resulting magnetic field. The signal generated by the
instrument is sinusoidal and therefore an alternating magnetic field is established round the central coil.

When there is no magnetic materials influencing the probe then the magnetic field cuts through the other two
coils equally. As the probe is brought closer to the uncoated substrate the field becomes unbalanced with more
field cutting the nearest coil and less cutting the furthest coil. This produces a net voltage between the two coils
which is a measure of the distance to the substrate (the coating thickness).

Eddy Current Coating Thickness Gauges


In the case of the eddy current principle, a single coil probe is used with a relatively high frequency signal,
several mega-hertz, to generate an alternating field in the non-ferrous metal under the coating. The field causes
eddy currents to circulate in the substrate which in turn have associated magnetic fields. These fields influence
the coating thickness probe and cause changes to the electrical impedance of the coil. These changes are
dependant on the coating thickness.

How accurate are Coating Thickness Gauges?


A key decision on the overall selection of a suitable coating thickness gauge is how accurate do the readings
need to be? Within the range of gauge types available, there is a progression from moderately accurate to very
accurate gauges, this is mirrored by the prices of the coating thickness gauges, the more accurate, the higher the
cost. In addition the coating application process and other factors affect the variability of the coating thickness on
a particular surface and the skill and knowledge of the coating thickness gauge operator also influences results.

What does "accuracy" mean?


The basic measure of a coating thickness gauge's performance is the accuracy with which the gauge takes
readings. That is the difference between the reading and the true coating thickness.

How to test a Coating Thickness Gauge for accuracy


In order to test the accuracy of a particular gauge it is important to have traceable coating thickness standards.
With the gauge adjusted to zero on an uncoated smooth substrate and set to a known thickness standard at or
near to the maximum thickness, intermediate thickness standards are measured and the readings compared to
the actual thickness of the standard. The errors are the differences between the values of the reading and the
value of the standard. These are most conveniently expressed as a percentage of the reading.

The importance of Coating Thickness Gauge Calibration

Calibration is the process whereby manufacturers of a coating thickness gauge sets-up, during manufacture, to
ensure that the gauge meets the required accuracy specification. The procedure normally requires the coating
thickness gauge to be set to known values of thickness and checked on intermediate thickness values. In
modern electronic instruments the values at key points across the coating thickness range are stored as
reference points in the memory of the gauge.

Why you need to Calibrate a Coating Thickness Gauge before testing


Calibration of coating thickness gauges will be affected by the type of material, the shape and the surface finish
of the metal substrate to be tested. For example the magnetic properties of steel alloys vary and the conductivity
of different aluminium alloys and different non-ferrous metals, copper, brass, stainless steel etc. also vary. These
variations can affect the linearity of a coating thickness gauge. This means that a gauge set-up on mild steel for
example will read a different value for the same thickness coating on high carbon steel. Similar linearity effects
are seen on thin or curved substrates and particularly on profiled substrates such as blast cleaned steel used for
structural steelworks.

To overcome these effects most coating thickness gauges have features that allow you to set the gauge to the
work being carried out, thus maximising the accuracy of the readings

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi