Elcometer 121/2 User manual

English

Elcometer 121/2

Universal Paint Inspection Gauge

Operating Instructions

English

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is a registered trademark of Elcometer Ltd.

All other trademarks acknowledged.

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

UTTING

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.

ROSS

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.

UCHHOLZ

NDENTATION

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.

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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.

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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.

108642

Exposed

substrate Cut coating

Coating

(uncut)

Count number of graticule divisions

Pen

mark

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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

108642

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