ASTM D2134-93(2007)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D2134 − 93 (Reapproved2007)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Hardness of Organic Coatings with a
Sward-Type Hardness Rocker
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2134; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Protective Coating Systems by Destructive, Cross-
Sectioning Means
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationoftherelative
degree of surface hardness of organic coatings using a specific
3. Significance and Use
apparatus widely used in the coatings industry.
3.1 Sward-type hardness rocker instruments have been used
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
by the coatings industry for more than a half a century as a
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
nondestructive test instrument to measure cure and ultimate
only.
surface hardness of organic coatings (see Refs. (1) through
1.3 This test method does not purport to address all of the
(11)). An accepted standard test method for the use of such an
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
instrument is long overdue.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 In previous task group work designed to establish an
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ASTM method for measuring hardness of organic coatings
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
with Sward-type hardness rocker instruments, round-robin test
resultscontinuallyshowedpoorinterlaboratoryreproducibility.
2. Referenced Documents
This lack of interlaboratory agreement could have resulted
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from dimensional variations among instruments, with the
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
contact rocker rings as the most likely offender in that regard.
of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
There are several producers of Sward-type hardness rockers
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
making instruments that differ among themselves in net weight
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
and ring radius. Some of them exceed the measurements and
D1186 Test Methods for Nondestructive Measurement of
net weight called for in this test method.
Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
3.3 This test method, however, is useful within laboratories
a Ferrous Base (Withdrawn 2006)
to quickly screen and measure the surface hardness of candi-
D1400 TestMethodforNondestructiveMeasurementofDry
date coatings.
Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a
Nonferrous Metal Base (Withdrawn 2006)
4. Apparatus
D3924 Specification for Environment for Conditioning and
4.1 Hardness Tester—The hardness tester shall consist of
Testing Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Materials
two flat, chromium-plated bronze rings with uniformly round
D4138 Practices for Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of
outside edges. These rings are separated and held in position
with a weighted lower member and three horizontal light-
weight spacer bars with the topmost one supporting a weight
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
adjustable in height. A rack across the center section supports
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
two bubble tube-type levels that are used to measure the
Subcommittee D01.23 on Physical Properties of Applied Paint Films.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published November 2997. Originally
amplitude of the oscillations of the hardness tester. The rate of
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D2134 – 93 (2001).
change in amplitude is used as a measure of hardness or
DOI: 10.1520/D2134-93R07.
2 softness of the test surface. The hardness tester shall meet the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM following characteristics:
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this
www.astm.org. test method.
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D2134 − 93 (2007)
7. Conditioning
Weight 100 ± 10 g
Diameter 10 ± 0.025 cm (4.000 ± 0.010 in.)
7.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens at 23 6
Width between 2.5 ± 0.0125 cm (1.000 ± 0.005 in.)
rings
2°C (73.5 6 3.5°F) and 506 5 % relative humidity for not less
Period 50 swings on glass plate in 60.0 ± 0.5 s
than 24 h prior to test in accordance with Specification D3924,
Calibration Decrease in amplitude of 6° taken between
for those tests where conditioning is required. In cases of
approximately 22° and 16° from the vertical, after
50 swings on glass
disagreement, the tolerances shall be 61°C (61.8°F) and
The hardness tester should be equipped with a clear cover to 62 % relative humidity.
protect it from air currents during operation.Asuitable tester is
7.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests in the standard labora-
illustrated in Fig. 1.
tory atmosphere of 23 6 2°C (73.5 6 3.5°F) and 50 6 5%
4.2 Glass Plates—Glass panels approximately 15cm (6
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test meth-
in. ) and a minimum of 2 mm (78 mils) thick are required.
ods or in Specification D3924. In cases of disagreement, the
Preferably these should be plate glass; however, carefully
tolerances shall be 61°C (61.8°F) and 62 % relative humid-
inspected smooth window glass may be substituted.
ity.
5. Test Specimen
8. Procedure
5.1 The substrate shall be at least a 50 by 100 by 0.25-mm
8.1 Prep
...