English

Elcometer 3092

Sclerometer
Hardness Tester

Operating Instructions
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English

is a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited.

All other trademarks acknowledged.

© Copyright Elcometer Limited. 2009.

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 Limited.

Doc.No. TMA-0327 Issue 04

Text with Cover No: 19493
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CONTENTS

Section Page

1 About this gauge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Setting the tip force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Testing a surface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
4 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5 Technical specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6 Spares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness 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.
This Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer 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 THIS GAUGE

The Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester is a simple but effective gauge for determining the hardness of
a large variety of coatings and surfaces.
The body of the gauge contains a spring loaded tool fitted with a tungsten carbide tip. The tip is pressed against
the surface being tested and the gauge is moved a short distance in an attempt to scratch the coating. The coating
is inspected and the spring loading is increased gradually until the tip leaves a mark or destroys the coating.
The maximum load on the tip is determined by the stiffness of the spring fitted to the gauge. Three springs of
varying stiffness are supplied as standard with the gauge.
The spring loading is adjusted within the range of each spring by sliding a lockable collar along the body of the
gauge.

1.1 STANDARDS
Your Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester can be used in accordance with the following National and
International Standards: Round tips AS 3894.4, Diamond tips EN 438-2 & ISO 4586-2.

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1.2 FEATURES
• Very easy to use
• Portable, pocket-sized design
• Ideal for testing coatings on the production line

1.3 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS

• Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester
• Tool with 0.75 mm (0.03") diameter tungsten carbide tip
• 3 springs (natural, red and blue)
• Carry case
• Operating instructions

Your Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer 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.

To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer 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 SETTING THE TIP FORCE

The force applied by the tip on the surface is determined by the colour of the spring and the position of the
sliding collar.

2.1 SELECTING A SPRING

Four types of spring are available. The stiffness of each type is determined by its colour:
Spring colour Force applied by tip
Natural (no colour): 0 N to 3 N
Red: 0 N to 10 N
Blue: 0 N to 20 N
a
Green : 0 N to 30 N

a. The green spring is not supplied as standard with the gauge. To order a green spring see “Spares” on page 8.

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2.2 FITTING AND ADJUSTING A SPRING

1. Loosen the knurled screw and slide the collar off the Sclerometer.

2. Remove the spring.

3. Select the appropriate spring and insert into the Sclerometer.
4. Refit the collar.

5. Find the scale on the Sclerometer which matches the colour of the spring and
adjust the tip force by sliding the collar to the required setting on the scale.
6. Tighten the knurled screw.

The gauge is now set and ready for testing.

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3 TESTING A SURFACE
1. Place the gauge perpendicular to the surface being tested and apply sufficient
downwards force to compress the spring by approximately 2 mm (1/8").
Do not allow the bottom of the gauge to touch the surface being tested.

2. Move the gauge to produce a linear scratch approximately 10 mm (0.4") long.

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3. Examine the surface for marks left by the tip of the tool.
Illuminating the surface from behind will help to reveal surface marking.

If the surface is unmarked, increase the spring loading and repeat steps 1 to 3
until surface marking is detected.

4 MAINTENANCE
The Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester is designed to give many years reliable service under
normal operating and storage conditions. Special maintenance will not normally be required under these
conditions.
Always check the tip before use for damage or contamination. Clean or replace the tip if necessary.
Replacement tips and springs are available from Elcometer or your local supplier - see “Spares” on page 8.
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

5 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Material: Anodised aluminium
Dimensions: 165 mm x 24 mm x 16 mm (6.5" x 1" x 0.6")
Weight: 370 g (13 oz)

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6 SPARES
Your Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester is complete with all the items required to start taking
measurements. Over the life of the gauge, the following spare parts and optional accessories may be
required:

6.1 SPRINGS
Spring colour Force Part number
Natural 0 N to 3 N (0 lbf to 0.67 lbf) KT003092P004
Red 0 N to 10 N (0 lbf to 2.2 lbf) KT003092P005
Blue 0 N to 20 N (0 lbf to 4.5 lbf) KT003092P006
Green 0 N to 30 N (0 lbf to 6.7 lbf) KT003092P007

6.2 TOOLS
Tip Tip material Part number
0.5 mm (0.02") Tungsten Carbide KT003092P001
0.75 mm (0.03") Tungsten Carbide KT003092P002
1.0 mm (0.04") Tungsten Carbide KT003092P003
90° Diamond (EN 438-2, ISO 4586-2) KT003092P008

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7 RELATED EQUIPMENT
In addition to the Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester, Elcometer produces a wide range of other
coating testing equipment. Users of the Elcometer 3092 Sclerometer Hardness Tester may also benefit
from the following Elcometer product ranges:
• Elasticity and Resistance Deformation Testers
• Paint Inspection Gauges
• Appearance Testers
• Washability, Brushability and Abrasion Testers
For further information contact Elcometer, your local supplier or visit www.elcometer.com