Elcometer 501 Pencil Hardness Tester
The Elcometer 501 Pencil Hardness Tester is an advanced, standardized instrument used to evaluate the hardness of coatings using the Wolff-Wilborn pencil hardness method.
Similar to the technique employed by the Elcometer 3080, this model improves test reproducibility by ensuring the pencil lead is applied with a constant force of 7.5N and maintained at a fixed angle of 45°. This eliminates user variability and delivers consistent, accurate results across repeated tests.
The test involves preparing the pencil lead using the included special sharpener and abrasive paper, inserting it into the instrument, and then sliding it over a smooth coated surface. The coating’s hardness rating is determined by the hardest pencil that does not leave a mark on the surface.
Accurate, consistent, and user-independent, the Elcometer 501 Pencil Hardness Tester is the ultimate solution for reliable coating hardness evaluation using the Wolff-Wilborn method.
