ALTANA Balanced Beam - Manual (Page 9)

8
Evaluation
Since the variety of materials that can be tested
with the instrument is unlimited, we cannot offer
definitive conclusions as to what constitutes
acceptable hardness or scrape adhesion. The
user, based on his knowledge of the material, its
history and end use, must make this decision.
Evaluating a coating for scrape adhesion or
hardness is usually objective because the
substrate is exposed or not exposed. Testing
uncoated surfaces for resistance to scratching,
marring or other types of deformation can be more
subjective in that the operator must decide what
is acceptable or the type of and extent of damage
that constitutes failure.
When the approximate weight to achieve a
certain end point has been found, time is saved
by starting the testing of each sample just a few
increments below this value. The end point load
may cover a range of force with some materials
due to differences between samples. Knowledge
of the end point value and the end use of a
material can help establish a value for a single
stroke, pass-or-fail test.
Evaluation