The Elcometer 3101 Barcol Impressor is a portable hardness tester for measuring the hardness of soft metals, plastics, glass fibre and leather. It gives an instant reading without waiting, pre-loading or separate measurements.

Hardness on these materials needs to be checked quickly on the line or in the field, for example to confirm the cure of a glass fibre laminate or the condition of a soft alloy. With the indenter point held perpendicular to the surface, the Elcometer 3101 Barcol Impressor - Portable Hardness Tester is placed onto the sample and light pressure drives the spring-loaded indenter point into the material, with the hardness reading shown immediately on the dial. All results are recorded in Barcol Units (BU).

Three models cover different material ranges. Model 934-1 (part number K0003101M001) suits soft metals such as aluminium and its alloys, brass and copper, and the harder plastics and glass fibre, over an approximate range of 25 to 150 Brinell, and meets ASTM D2583. Model 935 (K0003101M002) is for softer plastics and very soft metals, and Model 936 (K0003101M003) for extremely soft materials such as lead, linoleum and leather. A range of Standard Test Discs is available to confirm the tester is in calibration. Each unit measures 152 x 106 x 50mm and weighs 900g.

The Elcometer 3101 can be used in accordance with AS 3894.4, ASTM B 648, ASTM D 2583 and NF P38-501, the recognised Barcol hardness methods. It is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised Elcometer distributor.