Erichsen 430 P - Senze-Instruments Benelux

Senze-Instruments BENELUX
Go to content
Process & Quality Control

Erichsen 430 P

Coatings & Industry > Mechanical properties > Adhesion & Elongation
 SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-Smart

  • Scratch Hardness
  • Cross Hatch Cut
  • Scratch Resistance
  • Writing Effect

Programmable Logic Control (PLC)

Optionally with manually actuated/motor-drivenloading force and manually actuated/automatic test panel turn

Operation, documentation and data management via ERICHSEN-App

  • DIN EN ISO 2409
  • ASTM D 3359
  • JIS K 5600-5-6
  • SNV 37 111
  • VDA 621-411
  • ECCA T6
  • GME 60 280
Purpose and Application

The motor-driven SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-Smart is a universal testing instrument designed for carrying out a wide range of tests on varnished and plastic  surfaces to determine their resistance to scratches and cuts.
Single cuts, parallel cuts and - by turning the specimen by 90° - cross-cuts can be applied to test panels of various thicknesses.

The SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 PSmart is particularly provided for adhesion tests using the cross hatch cut method (in accordance with all mostly required standards)  and for specific plastics tests according with Opel (scratch resistance and writing effect).
For these as well as for further tests numerous setting possibilites on the basic instrument and a large variety of test tools are available.  

Using the SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-Smart, series testing can be conducted with much greater ease.
The results of testing are reproducible and well-defined.  
YOUR BENEFIT

This equipment was originally developed for the cross cutting test.  
Today it is used by 10 of the best known motor (automobile) manufacturers and their sub-suppliers for testing coated metal and plastic surfaces in this industry.  
The test is even recommended by the VDA.  
The SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P- Smart will eliminates the inconsistency of the users of the equipment doing the cross cutting test, which is probably the most widely used test for adhesion, since the test procedure uses a pre-programmed electrically motorized drive.  
The substrate is fixed in a specimen holder.  After setting the test force and starting the instrument the depth of the individual cuts is automatically reduced in a sequence of stages in accordance with a pre-selected pattern.   
Plastic components with an imitation leather surface,  in most cases in the form of molded thermo plastics, have long been employed for internal motor vehicle furnishing.  
For testing the surfaces of these plastic parts tests similar to those described above, using a cross cutter tool (20 lines at 2 mm pitch) is employed.  
A relatively low test force of 5 N is applied.   For this test, in place of the sharp-edged tool for the cross cutting test, a tungsten carbide test tool with hemispherical tip made of 1 mm diameter is used.

Ideally, if the material tested is satisfactory the process should leave no marking on the product.

Design and Function

The SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 PSmart is a benchtop instrument of sound mechanical construction which provides reliable, well-defined cuts, even under extreme test
conditions.
By default, the machine is equipped with a protective cover.
The device is operated via touch panel (automatic menu navigation).
The test procedure is carried out automatically and all parameters (cutting speed, cutting stroke, crosscut pattern) can be set using the keyboard.
Each motion  sequence (transport of test panel, cut positioning and any required pressure adjustment) is driven by a separate step motor.

During the test the specimen is conveyed linearly and at a constant speed under the test tip which has been set at the required pressure load (max. 40 N).
A transmission guide ensures that the test tip is lowered onto the test panel as defined.
The scope of supply includes two control plates for different cross-cut patterns which can be easily interchanged.

With Model 430 P-Smart parallel cross hatch cuts with graduated test forces are possible.
After carrying out the first cross hatch cut the instrument can be stopped and the test force (up to 50 N) can be ad-justed individually before starting the next test  track.
Theoretically, 80 test tracks with a distance of 0.5 mm of different test forces are possible within the pre-selected cross hatch cut programme.

The SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 PSmart is power-driven and obtainable in four versions - with manual or with motor-driven force regulation and with manual or  motor-driven test panel turn. On the manual version it is a simple matter to adjust the test force to the exact pressure.
The instrument with motor-driven force regulation provides the additional benefit of conducting a trial run with gradually increasing force.
In this way, the force required to achieve a through cut can be automatically ascertained in the course of a "trial cut".
A 6-piece weight set is available as an optional accessory for conducting special tests in the lower pressure range  and  enables cuts  with test forces in the range (1 - 15) N - graduated in 1-N steps.  

Special Features

  • 2 cutting speeds and 2 cutting lengths which can be combined as required
  • 9 preset cross-cuts in compliance with the most commonly used standards
  • 1 freely programmable cross-cut pattern for special applications
  • Setting for cut distance with step motor precision
  • "Stop"-option within the cross hatch cutting mode, for individually changing the test force for the next scratch track of the concerning current cross-cut pattern
  • Visual display upon cutting through insulating layers to metal substrate
  • Rapid clamping device for test panels, with wide clamping range.


Operation via App
The innovative optimized control concept of the Models 430 P-Smart allows the operation per smartphone or tablet via App (free download at: Google Play Store / Apple Store), as well as a different form of settings, documentation and data management.
Reference Class:

Both versions of the SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER  430  P-Smart  are supplied  with a Calibration Certificate in accordance with DIN 55 350-18 that includes among others the following information:

  • Actual and setting values of  loading force,
  • scratching speed and cutting distance,
  • test equipments used with calibration status,
  • product indentification,
  • date,
  • name of inspector.

Comparisons of the setting/actual values for the following parameters are made:
  • Loading force (5 setting values evenly distributed over the load range
  • Cutting speed (both desired values incombination with both cutting paths)
  • Cutting distance (exemplary for setting value 0.5 mm).
Cross Hatch Testing
The SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-Smart enables cross hatch tests to be conducted in accordance with all the usual standards, summarized in the following table, and carried out immediately without additional programming.
The following cross-cuts can be selected by pressing a key (number of cuts x distance in mm between cuts) 2 x 5, 6 x 1, 6 x 2, 6 x 3, 8 x 1, 8 x 2, 11 x 1.

The cuts are carried out automatically in succession using the test tip for cross hatch at a cutting speed of 40 mm/s.
After turning the test panel manually by 90°, the procedure is repeated to complete the cross-cut pattern.
The load required to ensure that the layer of varnish will be cut through to the substrate must be ascertained in trial runs.
With Model 430 P-II-Smart or Model 430 P-IV-Smart (motor-driven force adjustment) this can be carried out very simply by performing a "trial cut".

For the examination of cross hatch cuts a magnifiying glass with 2.5 magnification is included in the scope of supply.
To evaluate the cross hatch pattern achieved, it is visually related to a comparison pattern within a scheme indicated in the relevant standard (cross cut classification).
In ECCA T6 it is mentioned that the cross hatch cut test may be intensified by a subsequent cupping test according to DIN EN ISO 1520.
For  this purpose we recommend the ERICHSEN Lacquer and Paint Testing Machines, models 200 and 202 EM.

Although the results of adhesion tests in accordance with the cross hatch method are comparable with each other, they are - due to their respective procedures - not transferable to results of alternative test methods (e. g. perpendicular pull-off test according to DIN EN ISO 4624).
The ERICHSEN production programme offers the following model for adhesion testing to the pull-off method:
  • Adhesion Test Apparatus, Model 525 (manual / inexpensive)


Scratch Resistance Testing

For testing scratch resistance in accordance with Opel (GME 60280 / GMW14688) the test tip with a 1 mm Ø is selected together with the preset grid "20 cuts at a distance of 2 mm" (20 x 2).
The stress pattern in this case is applied with a test load of 5 N (set of weights) by the same procedure as for the cross hatch test (cutting speed 1m/min).

To analyse the scratch resistance test the brightness variance (DL) is determined in comparison with the plastic surface which is not subjected to strain.
The colour measuring device to be used for this purpose must fulfil the following requirements: illuminant D65, measuring geometry d/8 with gloss exclusion, measuring
aperture Ø 27 mm.


Writing Effect Testing

For testing the writing effect in accordance with Opel the test inset offered as optional accessory, is required. This inset has to be mounted on the load arm instead of the tool holder.

The stress pattern is applied with the preset grid "80 cuts at a distance of 0.5 mm" (80 x 0.5)  and a  test  load of 7 N (set of weights) analogue to the cross hatch test (cutting speed 1 m/min).

To evaluate the result of the writing effect test the gloss difference is determinded in comparison with the plastic surface not subjected to strain.
The gloss meter used should be provided with a 60° geometry; the measuring area must be small enough to allow carrying out reproducible gloss
measurements on the surface subjected to strain.

For this test purpose all the ERICHSEN glossmeters of the PICOGLOSS family are highly recommended.  
Special Tests

Deviating from the determinations of the above mentioned tests (cross hatch test, scratch resistance, writing effect) further scratch tests can be carried out varying the following parameters:

  • Test tip
- ball test tool   0.5 / 0.75 / 1 / 3 mm
- asymmetric test tools:  cross cut / Clemen
  • Test load
- rough range 50 N with 2 N graduation (standard)
- fine range 15 N  in 1 N steps (optional)
  • Cutting grid
- preset, selectable by depression of key: 2 x 5, 6 x 1, 6 x 2, 6 x 3, 8 x 1, 8 x 2, 11 x 1, 20 x 2, 80 x 0.5 (number of cuts x distance in mm)
- freely programmable: all grids  max. width 40 mm and a multiple  of 0.5 mm as cutting distance.
  • Cutting pattern
- parallel cuts or cross cuts
  • Cutting path
- 25 mm or 40 mm (exchangeable guide plates)
  • Cutting speed
- 16.7 mm/s (1 m/min) or 40 mm/s

In order to minimize testing time, the smallest possible length of cut is always selected, together with the relevant connecting member.  
Technical Data

Dimensions (W x H x D) : 725 x 560 x 425 mm
Net weight approx. 50 kg

Power supply : 230 VAC / 50 Hz
Consumption :  ca, 100W-150W
Test panel format min. : 80 x 50 mm
Test panel format max. : 165 mm wide, any length
Thickness of specimen : 0.5 - 20 mm
Standard load range
2) : 2 - 50 N (2-N grading)
Special load range : 1 - 15 N (1-N grading)
Cutting path : 25 or 40 mm
Cutting speed : 1
m/min or 40 mm/s

2) Optional set of weights for bottom load range
Product Description

SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-I-Smart
motor-driven turntable and cutting position and with manual adjustment of loading force, manual turning of test panels and control plate for cutting path of 25 mm and 40 mm.  Load pressure max. 50 N
ref. 101-03240131

SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-II-Smart
as for Order No. 101-03240131, but with motor-driven adjustment of loading force and manual turning of test panels
ref. 101-03240231

SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-III-Smart
as for Order No. 03240131, but with manual adjustment of loading force and automatic turning of test panels
ref. 101-03240331

SCRATCH HARDNESS TESTER 430 P-IV-Smart
as for Order No. 03240131, but with motor-driven adjustment of loading force and automatic turning of test panels
ref. 101-03240431
Included in scope of supply:

  • Transport case with
- 3 Allen keys (SW  2 / 2.5 / 3)
- Connecting member for cutting path of 25 mm
- Folding magnifier (2.5 fold magnification)
- Recesses for set of weights, test inset (writing effect) and for max. 8 test tips
  • Mains connection cable
  • Operating instructions

Caution:
  • Test tips are not included in the scope of supply
  • Please specify mains supply when ordering
Back to content