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1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of indentation
hardness of both reinforced and nonreinforced rigid plastics
using a Barcol Impressor, Model No. 934-1 and Model No.
935.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing2
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics2
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials3
D 4805 Terminology for Plastics Standards3
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method4
3. Terminology
3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of technical terms pertaining to plastics used in this test method, see Terminology D 883
or Terminology D 4805.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A materials surface hardness is determined through the
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties.
Current edition approved October 10, 1995. Published December 1995. Originally published as D 2583 67. Last previous edition D 2583 93.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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Apparatus is available from Eurotherm/Barber-Colman, 741F Miller Drive,
Leesburg, VA 201758993.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 2583
TABLE 1 Recommended Sample Sizes to Equalize the Variance
of the Average for Model No. 934-1
hand, increasing the force on the case until the dial indication
reaches a maximum (Note 3). Take care to avoid sliding or
scraping while the indentor is in contact with the surface being
tested. Record the maximum reading.
Homogeneous Material
Hardness
M-934
Scale
Reading
Variance
Coefficient of
Variation, %
Variance
of
Average
Minimum
Number of
Readings
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2.47
2.20
1.93
1.66
1.39
1.12
0.85
2.6
1.7
1.3
1.1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.27
0.28
0.27
0.28
0.28
0.28
0.28
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
0.77
0.78
0.75
0.78
0.75
29
22
16
10
5
Nonhomogeneous Material
(Reinforced Plastics)
30
40
50
60
70
22.4
17.2
12.0
7.8
3.6
2.9
2.2
1.7
1.5
1.2
9. Calibration
9.1 With the plunger upper guide backed out until it just
engages the spring, place the Impressor on a glass surface and
press down until the point is forced all the way back into the
lower plunger guide. The indicator should now read 100. If it
does not, loosen the lock-nut and turn the lower plunger guide
in or out to obtain a 100 reading. Next, read the hard
aluminum alloy disk supplied by the manufacturer of the
Impressor and, if necessary, adjust so that the reading is within
the range marked on the disk. Then do the same with the soft
disk. If these readings cannot be obtained, subsequent measurements are not valid.
10. Conditioning
10.1 ConditioningCondition the test specimens at 23 6
2C (73.4 6 3.6F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for not less
than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of
Practice D 618, unless otherwise specified by the contract or
relevant material specification. In cases of disagreement, the
tolerances shall be 61C (61.8F) and 62 % relative humidity.
10.2 Test ConditionsConduct tests in the standard laboratory atmosphere of 23 6 2C (73.4 6 3.6F) and 50 6 5 %
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified by the contract or
relevant material specification. In cases of disagreement, the
tolerances shall be 61C (61.8F) and 62 % relative humidity.
11. Procedure
11.1 Observing the precautions of Section 8, make measurements on the specimens to be tested (Note 4). Impressions
should not be made within 3 mm (18in.) of the edge of the
specimen or of other impressions.
NOTE 4Curved surfaces may be more difficult to support. When the
load is applied, bending and spring action in the specimen should be
avoided.
D 2583
SrA
SRB
IrC
IRD
35
39
44
55
61
1.04
0.95
1.11
1.45
1.14
2.93
3.75
2.25
1.93
2.15
3
3
3
4
3
8
11
6
5
6
SAN
BMC
Reinforced SAN
Polyester laminate
SMC
A
Material
13. Report
13.1 Report the following information:
13.1.1 Identification of material tested,
13.1.2 Conditioning of specimen,
13.1.3 Model number of Impressor,
13.1.4 Number of readings taken,
13.1.5 Average of hardness values rounded to the nearest
whole scale reading,
13.1.6 Date of test, and
13.1.7 Test method number and published/revision date.
14. Precision and Bias
SAN
BMC
SAN reinforced with 20 % glass
Polyester Mat Laminate (thermoset)
SMC (sheet molding compound)
8
22
22
16
16
NOTE 6Caution: The following explanations of Ir and IR (14.314.3.3) are only intended to present a meaningful way of considering the
approximate precision of this test method. The data in Table 2 should not
be rigorously applied to acceptance or rejection of material, as those data
are specific to the round robin and may not be representative of other lots,
materials, or laboratories. Users of this test method should apply the
principles outlined in Practice E 691 to generate data specific to their
laboratory and materials, or between specific laboratories. The principles
of 14.3-14.3.3 would then be valid for such data.
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Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR: D201087.
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No. of Determinations
using Model No. 934-1
D 2583
base an estimate of bias for this test method.
15. Keywords
15.1 Barcol Hardness Impressor; Models 934-1 and 935;
hardness; indentation hardness; rigid plastics
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