User:Stardust8212/Barcol hardness test

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The Barcol hardness test characterizes the indentation hardness of materials through the depth of penetration of an indenter, loaded on a material sample and compared to the penetration in a reference material. The method is most often used for composite materials such as reinforced thermosetting resins or to determine how much a resin or plastic has cured. The test complements the measurement of glass transition temperature, as an indirect measure of the degree of cure of a composite. It is inexpensive and quick, and provides information on the cure throughout a part.[1]

Contents

[edit] Operation

The Barcol hardness test is generally used on soft materials such as rigid plastics . It measures hardness based on indentation of a sharp point with a flat tip. The test is performed using a similar method and indentation device as that used to measure Shore D hardness however the Shore D indentor has a round tip.[2]

[edit] Scales and values

Barcol hardness is measured on a scale from 0 to 100 with the typical range being between 50B and 90B. A measurement of 60B is roughly equivalent to a Shore hardness of 80D or a Rockwell hardness M100.[2]

[edit] Standards

The governing standard for the Barcol hardness test is ASTM D 2583.[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-19509666_ITM
  2. ^ a b c "Barcol Hardness". Plastics Materials and Processes: A Concise Encyclopedia. John Wiley and Sons. Retrieved on 2008-02-10. 

[edit] External links

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