The Elcometer 3045 Persoz & König Pendulum Hardness Tester (part number K3045M001) measures coating hardness using either the Persoz or König pendulum method. Coating hardness indicates how completely a film has cured: an incompletely cured coating performs poorly, with flaws, weak adhesion and premature failure, so a reliable hardness measurement is a direct check on cure quality. The pendulum method derives hardness from how quickly a pendulum resting on the coated surface loses its swing, a harder, better cured film damping the oscillation more slowly.

Using infrared technology, the Elcometer 3045 runs a fully automated test with no human intervention, which removes operator influence and gives accurate, repeatable results. The pendulum is fitted to the loading pins, the sample loaded and the door closed; the pendulum then moves to the start position, the sample table rises and the test begins. A fully automated calibration routine uses the supplied glass tile and, if the gauge is out of specification, adjusts itself to meet the standard.

For the Persoz method the oscillation period is 1 second (plus or minus 0.01s) with a damping time on glass of 430 seconds (plus or minus 15s); for König it is 1.4 seconds (plus or minus 0.02s) with 250 seconds (plus or minus 10s). The instrument takes panels up to 200 by 110 by 14mm, measures 500 by 330 by 760mm, weighs 17kg and operates from 5 to 40 degrees C. Results transfer to a PC via ElcoMaster software for analysis and reporting. It can be used in accordance with ISO 1522, ASTM D 4366, BS 3900 E5, DIN 53157 and NF T30-016.

Used in coatings laboratories and quality control, the Elcometer 3045 is supplied in South Africa by BAMR, the country's authorised distributor.