Manual

English

4 Getting started

4.1 Power supply

The hardness tester is powered by three AAA batteries. By loosening the two screws at the rear

side of the meter and taking off the battery compartment cover, you can change the batteries.

Note:

Ensure correct polarity as indicated in the battery compartment when inserting the batteries. Make

sure to screw the battery compartment cover back on before turning on the device.

4.2 Tested material

- The material that will be struck by the impact body must be placed evenly on a shock-

free substrate.

- Interfering influences such as fluctuations in temperature must be avoided as these can

falsify the measurement result.

- The sample must not be magnetic.

- The surface to be measured must not be too uneven or overly rough. This can cause

errors.

- The sample must have a metallic lustre and be smooth, polished and free from grease.

- The surface temperature must be below 120 °C.

4.3 Weight of the sample

- In order to ensure correct measurement results, the sample must be as thick, heavy

and solid as possible.

- A solid sample that is heavier than 5 kg can be tested without any further preparation

and without any certain base.

- A sample between 3 and 5 kg should be attached to a support or bracket that has a

weight of more than 5 kg in order to avoid bending, deformation or moving of the sample

during the hardness measurement.

- If the sample’s weight is below 2 kg, it should be attached to a workbench or a stable

support. The area between the sample and the support must be hard, clean and

smooth. In order to couple the sample, apply some petroleum jelly or old cooking fat to

the overlapping surfaces of the sample and of the support. We recommend you to use

the ultrasonic contact gel called TT-GEL, available at PCE Instruments. Then firmly

press the sample onto the support and move it around a little bit to avoid bubbles

between the sample and the support.

- Samples with a very low weight must be solidly and evenly coupled to the base they

are placed on.

- The rebound will be vertical to the coupled surface.

- Even large panels, bars and curved parts can deform or break, even when their weight

and thickness comply with the requirements. This results in inaccurate measurement

values or failure to get any measurement values. Therefore, the rear side of the sample

should be reinforced or supported.