Apparatus for determining the relative hardness and abrasion resistance of industrial film coatings and linings

Abstract

A novel apparatus for determining the relative hardness and abrasion resistance of industrial film coatings and linings is disclosed. In its preferred form, the apparatus comprises a rigid handle incorporating a pre-set angle between its flat lower surface and a flexible spring blade attached at one end to the handle, and a scoring stylus attached at the other end of the spring blade. By placing the bottom of the handle on the surface of the film coating or lining whose relative hardness and abrasion resistance is to be determined, the spring blade is caused to deflect and thereby exert a constant and predetermined force through the scoring stylus onto the film coating or lining. By drawing or pulling the handle across the surface of the film coating or lining while maintaining the lower surface of the handle in complete contact with the film coating or lining, the scoring stylus creates a scratch on the surface of the film coating or lining. Depending upon the cross-sectional configuration of the scoring stylus used, the depth of the scratch created by the scoring stylus can be directly measured, or can be indirectly measured by measuring the width of the scratch and geometrically relating the depth to the measured width. Having determined the depth of the scratch created by the scoring stylus on the surface of the film coating or lining, a quantitative determination of the relative hardness and abrasion resistance of the film coating or lining is obtained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.