Elcometer 121/2 User manual
English
Elcometer 121/2
Universal Paint Inspection Gauge
Operating Instructions
English
is a registered trademark of Elcometer Ltd.
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© Elcometer Ltd. England 1994 - 2008.
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval
system or otherwise) or translated into any other language in any form or by means (electronic, mechanical,
magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Ltd.
A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via
www.elcometer.com/downloads
Doc. No:TMA-0151 Iss. 04
Part No: 4811
1
CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About your gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Getting started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Mounting and changing tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Measuring film thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
5 Measuring cross-cut adhesion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
6 Measuring indentation hardness (Buchholz) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7 Spare parts and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8 Fault checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2
Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 121/2 Universal P.I.G. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatings
and concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application
to post application inspection.
The Elcometer 121/2 Universal P.I.G. is a world beating product. With the purchase of this instrument you
now have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit our
website at www.elcometer.com
1 ABOUT YOUR GAUGE
The Elcometer 121/2 Universal P.I.G. (Paint Inspection Gauge) offers a quick, versatile method of coating
examination and measurement in a portable, easy-to-use gauge. The gauge allows the following tests to be
conducted:
• Coating thickness
• Cross cut adhesion (using optional accessories)
• Buchholz hardness (using optional accessories)
All test tools are mounted on a rotary head within the body of the gauge, allowing rapid change over from
one test to the next.
The gauge includes a built in 50x microscope with graticule scale and illumination. The gauge body is
manufactured from aluminium.
3
1.1 STANDARDS
The Elcometer 121/2 Paint Inspection Gauge can be used in accordance with the following National and
International Standards:
ASTM D 4138 ASTM D 3359-B BS EN 3900-CS-5B BS EN ISO 2815
DIN 53151 DIN 53153 ISO 2808-5B ISO 2409
1.2 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS
• Elcometer 121/2 Universal P.I.G. with metric scale
• Cutters No. 1, 2 and 3, fitted and ready to use
• Hexagonal wrench 1.5 mm
• Hexagonal wrench 2.5 mm
• Marker pen
• Spare bulb (lens bulb 1.2 V; 0.2 A)
• Spare battery (Mignon leak proof 1.5 V)
• Carrying case
• Operating instructions
The instrument is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that this packaging is disposed
of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental Authority for further guidance.
To maximise the benefits of your new instrument, please take some time to read these Operating
Instructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have any
questions.
4
2 GETTING STARTED
2.1 FITTING BATTERIES
The Elcometer 121/2 Universal P.I.G. uses dry cell batteries only.
To fit or replace the battery: Use a coin to loosen and open the slotted screw beside the eye-piece. Remove
battery and replace with new battery 1.5 V (leakproof), positive end first. Reclose in reverse order.
Note: Remove the batteries from the instrument if it is to remain unused for a long period of time. This will
prevent damage to the instrument in the event of malfunction of the batteries.
Batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid environmental contamination. Please consult your local
Environmental Authority for information on disposal in your region.
Do not dispose of any batteries in fire.
2.2 REPLACING THE BULB
Screw objective lens into the instrument until the bulb is easily accessible. Loosen bulb holder slightly with
small hexagonal wrench and screw out the bulb. Screw in the spare bulb (1.2 V, 0.22 A) and re-secure the
bulb holder.
Check Light Spot: To do this, place the PIG in measuring position over a textured object (for example, a
newspaper) and switch the light on. The light spot, with its maximum brightness, must lie below the centre
of the objective lens. If not, loosen the bulb holder with the hexagonal wrench and move it until the light spot
is correctly placed. Then secure the holder.
5
3 MOUNTING AND CHANGING TOOLS
All tools are mounted onto the rotary head:
1. Cutting Tool No. 1
2. Cutting Tool No. 2
3. Cutting Tool No. 3
4. Cross hatch cutter
5. Cross hatch cutter
6. Buchholz Indentation Tool
3.1 MOUNTING THE TOOLS
C
UTTING
T
OOLS
: Positions 1, 2 and 3. These are located in slots
in the rotary head by means of hexagonal screws (large
hexagonal wrench M 2.5). For inserting or replacing, loosen
applicable screw, let cutter protrude approximately 3 mm from the rotary head and re-tighten screw.
C
ROSS
C
UT
K
NIVES
: Positions 4 and 5. These are located by means of two hexagonal screws each (small
hexagonal wrench M 1.5) laterally from the receptacle slots of the rotary head. The tools have holes, which
ensure firm seating. When only one knife is to be changed, the screws of all tools from No. 4 to No. 6 must
be loosened, otherwise the slot can become too narrow due to distortion of the rotary head.
Note: Re-tighten all screws after insertion of, or replacement of, any knife.
B
UCHHOLZ
I
NDENTATION
T
OOL
: Mount the Buchholz indentation tool in Position 6. The tool is mounted in the
same manner as the Cross cut knives - refer to paragraph above for instructions.
6
3.2 CHANGING TOOLS
When changing from one cutter to another, first press the ‘Stop’ knob against the casing. Then turn the
rotary head to the desired position and lock it by releasing the ‘Stop’ knob.
Note: Care must be taken that the ‘Stop’ knob distinctly and audibly snaps into place.
7
4 MEASURING FILM THICKNESS
1. Mark the surface to be tested with a stroke of the black
marker pen provided with your gauge. There should always
be a distinct contrast between the colour of the pen ink and
the coating. Different pen ink colours may therefore be
required.
2. Cut the coating at right-angles to the pen mark as follows:
Place the gauge on the specimen (an exact vertical cut
without tilting the knife is ensured by the supporting feet
beside the push button switch).
Pull the gauge towards you and apply a little pressure.
Slight pressure is normally sufficient to penetrate through to
the substrate. Heavier pressure may be required for very
thick coatings and very hard surfaces.
3. Position the gauge so that the microscope lens is over the
cut with the feet touching the surface.
4. Press and hold the light switch to illuminate the cut.
5. Focus the microscope until the cut is clearly visible.
6. Align the graticule scale at right-angles to the cut so that
the scale divisions are parallel to the cut. Note that one side
of the cut will have a straight edge and the other side is
likely to be ragged.
0
20
18
16
14
12
108642
Exposed
substrate Cut coating
Coating
(uncut)
Count number of graticule divisions
Pen
mark
8
7. Measure the width of the cut coating (or coatings) by counting the number of graticule divisions.
To convert the width of the cut coating into coating thickness, multiply the number of graticule divisions by
the resolution given below.
8. In the example given in above, with a No. 3 cutter, the coating thickness is:
34 divisions x 2 = 68 microns, or 34 divisions x 0.08 = 2.7 mils
4.1 MEASURING MULTI-LAYER COATINGS
The thickness of individual layers can be calculated by
measuring each layer.
4.2 IRREGULARITIES
Irregularities can occur if very hard, brittle films, or films with
insufficient adhesion to the substrate are tested. The following
can arise and can be avoided as follows.
Cutter No. Resolution of graticule Maximum thickness Cutting angle
(microns) (mils) (microns) (degrees)
1 20 0.8 2000 45
2 10 0.4 1000 26.6
3 2 0.08 200 5.7
0
20
18
16
14
12
108642
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