THE IMPRESSOR

HAND HELD PORTABLE HARDNESS TESTER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

AMTAST USA INC

 934-1 Portable Impressor Hardness Tester Quick User Guide

1. Check the impressor in 0 position (+-1 is acceptable)

2. Specimen thickness must be more than 1.5mm, surface flat and clean.
3. Hold the impressor and put it on the specimen stably (suggest test on
plain steel sheet or glass board surface). Apply the test force stably and
promptly, read the max reading on the dial.
4. Can test specimen different position to average the results.
 USER’S MANUAL

Barcol Impressor

1. Introduction
Barcol Impressor is a kind of indention hardness tester originally made in the USA. It has
3 models in series. 934-1 is the typical model which is in widest application.
Barcol Impressor is mainly applied in two areas: One is Aluminum fabrication industry, to
test pure Aluminum, soft Aluminum alloys, thick Aluminum alloys, Aluminum belts, and Aluminum
alloys extrusions, bars, castings, forgings and assembled Aluminum alloys parts (e.g. al-alloy door
&window, curtain wall etc.) Relevant standard is American standard ASTM B648-00 (Test Method
for Indentation Hardness of Aluminum Alloys by Means of a Barcol Impressor); the other is Fiber
Reinforced Plastics industry, most domestic and abroad Fiber Reinforced Plastics products are
required to test Barcol hardness. Relevant Standard is American standard ASTM D2583-07(Test
Method for Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor) As a
measuring instrument, Barcol Impressor has its relevant verification regulation JJG-1989
(Barcol Impressor). This regulation is used for verification of Barcol Impressor newly
manufactured, under used and after maintenance.
Barcol Impressor is smart and portable. It can be used by single hand operation, no
operating experience required, can test any workpiece which is reachable in any site.
Barcol Impressor has following features: Wide valid testing range equivalent to Brinell
hardness 25-150HBW. Used to test the hardness of all kinds of Aluminum, from very soft
Aluminum to very hard Aluminum alloys. Extended application. Model 934-1 is applied to test the
hardness of Aluminum, Aluminum alloys, Copper, Copper alloys, Fiber Reinforced Plastics and rigid
plastics etc. The improved model of it is available to test very soft metals such as lead and tin and
other soft materials such as soft plastics, rubber, felt and leather etc. High sensitivity. Featured with
100 scales, much more sensitive than Webster hardness testers applied in Aluminum alloys industry.
No supporting required. Can test from only one side of the workpiece. No need to move or
support the workpiece. Used to test super large and thick worpieces and assembly parts.
Easy conversion. The test results can be converted to HB, HR, HV and HW easily through
conversion table.

2. Principle and Structure

Barcol Impressor is a kind of indention hardness tester. It uses a special shape indenter
impressed into the specimen by a standard string pressure and measures the indentation depth to
obtain hardness value.
Barcol hardness value is:

h
HBa=100-
0.0076
HBa---Barcol hardness value
h------indentation depth (mm)
0.0076-----indentation depth for one unit of Barcol hardness
The structure of Barcol Impressor is illustrated in Fig.1.
The main testing system of Barcol Impressor is set in the frame. The indenter is in the full
scale adjusting screw (indenter sleeve) with a plunger loaded by load spring on top. The
test force applied on indenter by load spring through plunger is adjusted by load adjusting
screw. The plunger moves up and down along with indenter, thus, the dial indicator shows
hardness reading through the lever. The legs fixed at the back of the frame can insure the
indenter be perpendicular to test surface. The enclosures at both left and right sides
protect the inner system from being damaged and changed.
The top of indenter is 0.76mm, equivalent to 100 degrees upper on the top surface of full scale
adjusting screw when the impressor is under nonworking condition. The indicator pointed on zero at
this moment.

Fig.1 Structure of Barcol Impressor

3. Technical Parameters

Indenter: 26°panhead cone, head face diame ter 0.176mm

Testing Range: 0~100HBa，equivalent to 25~150HBW
Resolution: 0.5HBa
Indication error: hardness range 42~52HBa, ±2HBa
hardness range 84~88HBa ±1HBa
Repeatability error: hardness range 42~52HBa, ±2HBa
hardness range 84~88HBa ±1HBa
Net weight: 0.5kg

4. Operating Method
4.1 Verification of the Instrument
4.1.1 Zero Point Verification
Check the position of the indicator hand. It should point on the “0” on the indicator dial.The
tolerance range is one graduation. If it exceeds, pls contact with the manufacturer.
4.1.2 Full Scale Verification
Put the impressor on a hard flat surface (e.g. glass sheet). Press on the enclosures to
make the indenter back to full scale adjusting screw. Now the indicator should point at
100±1 (Note: do not impact or make the indenter slide when pressing, otherwise the
indenter will be damaged). If the test reading exceeds the tolerance range (1 graduation),
calibration of the full scale should be carried out according to Step 5.3.
4.1.3 Indication Verification
Put the standard hardness block on a hard flat surface and test it by the impressor. The
dial indicator should point at the specified hardness values. If the test reading does not
meet the requirements, calibration of the indication should be carried out according to
Step 5.3.
4.2 Requirement of Specimen
4.2.1 The specimen surface should be smooth, clean, without mechanical damage. The
surface can be light punishing to move off the scratch and coating.
4.2.2 The thickness of the specimen should be no less than 1.5mm.Obvious
transformation trace shouldn’t occur after testing on the specimen surface. The dimension
of the specimen should also ensure the minimum distance between the point of the
indenter and each edge of is less than 3mm
4.2.3 To ensure the accurate testing, the indenter must be vertical to the specimen surface.
Thus, the dimension of the specimen surface should be enough to make the leg of the
impressor and the point of the indenter at the same level.
If the specimen is too small or narrow to make the leg of the impressor and the point of the
indenter at the same level, block up the leg to realize it. Pay attention to that the two
surfaces of the leg should be at the same level.
4.2.4 Make sure there is no previous testing indentation within 3mm around current testing
point.
4.2.5 The specimen must be placed stably. Small specimen should be placed on the
stable backing (such as steel sheet, glass etc.) The specimen can not lift, move or
transform during testing procedure.
4.3 Testing Operation
Hold the Impressor and put it on the specimen stably. Apply the test force stably and
promptly. Take the maximum reading on the dial estimated to 0.5 hardness unit. This
reading result is the Barcol hardness value of the specimen. Do not impact or make the
indenter slide when pressing, otherwise the indenter will be damaged.
When testing softer materials, the reading will be lower down gradually. Take the reading
as far as possible to remain the maximum reading result.

5. Calibration of the Instrument

5.1 Calibration of zero point
The zero point of the instrument is stable and seldom goes wrong. If it has error,
calibration of zero point should be carried out under manufacture’s guide.
5.2 Calibration of full scale
Screw off the pivot screw, and take out the main frame from the enclosure. Then screw off
the lock nut and rotate the dull scale adjusting screw with the special wrench equipped
with the instrument. The readings on the dial indicator will be lower down when the nut is
screwed off, on the contrary, rise up when screwed. After adjustment, screw the lock nut
and re-test on the glass sheet. The indicator should point at 100±1. If there is still any error,
repeat the operation above until indicator points at 100±1.
5.3 Calibration of the indication
Screw off the load adjusting spring. The readings on the dial indicator will be lower down
when the spring is screwed off, on the contrary, rise up when screwed. Repeat the
operation above until the indicator points at the hardness value of the standard hardness
block.
Test on another standard hardness block. The indicator should point at the hardness value
of the standard hardness block. If there is still any error, do light adjustment. Test the
instrument on both “hard” and “soft” standard hardness blocks after adjustment. The
readings should all point at the hardness value of the standard hardness block. If not, the
indenter may be damaged, change for a new one.

6. Indenter
6.1 Protection of the Indenter
The indenter of the instrument is a accurate part made of hard steel. The point of the
indenter is machined accurately to very small size. Take; care during operation to avoid
any damage. When the indenter reaches to the specimen, the instrument should be
pressed carefully and stably to avoid slide or scratch. The indenter will be damaged if it
slides on hard material especially on rough hard material. The indenter is not in the
guarantee range, so it must be treated with care. Please replace it for a new one if it is
damaged. Each instrument is attached with 2 spare indenters. Purchase more from the
manufacturer.
Caution!!!
Do not polish and reuse the damaged indenter!
6.2 Wear of the indenter
The indenter will be lightly worn after frequent use. In that case, the reading result will lead
to tolerance. So the indenter should be checked frequently.
Put the instrument on the glass sheet. The indicator should point at full scale 100±1. If not,
it indicates the indenter is damaged. It also indicates the indenter is damaged if the
readings don’t point at the hardness value of the standard hardness block when testing
the instrument on the same surface.
The calibration of the instrument should be carried out if the indenter is damaged. Test the
instrument on both “hard” and “soft” standard hardness blocks after adjustment. The
readings should all point at the hardness value of the standard hardness block. If not, the
indenter may be seriously damaged; its length can’t meet the required range; change for a
new one. Re-calibration should be carried out after replacing the indenter.
6.3 Replace the indenter
The operation process of replacing indenter is as following:
6.3.1 Screw off the screw on the enclosure.
6.3.2 Hold on the spring sleeve to make sure it can’t fall down. Take off the main frame of
the instrument from the upward side of the enclosure.
6.3.3 Screw off the load adjusting screw until the cross recesses projects from the main
frame.
6.3.4 Invert the instrument. Prevent the spring and plunger from falling down. Screw off
the lock nut and take off the full scale adjusting screw.
6.3.5 Take off the previous indenter and put on a new one. Screw the full scale adjusting
screw. Make the indenter reveal 5mm from the bottom of the frame.
6.3.6 Test on the glass sheet and take the maximum reading. Do not over load to avoid
the indenter over deflecting. if the indicator exceeds 110, the dial indicator will be
damaged. Adjust the full scale adjusting screw until the indicator points at 100±1.
6.3.7 Screw the lock nut. Re-inspect full scale value.
6.3.8 Inspect and calibrate the indication.
6.3.9 Re-fit on the instrument and inspect the full scale and indication.

7. Hardness Block
The instrument is attached with two hardness blocks,” high value” and “ low value” which
are made of aluminum and aluminum alloys.
Only the front side signed with value of the hardness block is permitted to be used. To test
on both the two sides will lead to wrong readings.
Avoid to test on the point within 3mm distance from the edge and previous indentation
when testing the hardness block.
The reading obtained near the previous indentation will be not accurate.
Each instrument is attached with enough hardness blocks. Spare hardness blocks can be
bought from the manufacturer.

8. Test Times
The error of Barcol Impressor is bigger than Brinell hardness tester and Rockwell
hardness tester. In order to reduce the test error, test for several times and take the
average reading. The softer specimen is, the more test times need to be carried out. The
test times should be even more when testing composite material.
The recommended test times according to different hardness value on homogeneous
material and heterogeneous material are shown as table 1 and table 2.

Table 1 Recommend test times for aluminum alloys materials (according to ASTM
B648-2000)
Barcol Hardness Min. Test Times
50 6
60 5
70 4
80 3

Table 2 Recommend test times for fiber reinforced plastics and rigid plastics (according to
GB/T3854-2005)
 rigid plastics fiber reinforced plastics
Barcol Hardness Min. Test Times Barcol Hardness Min. Test Times
20 9 30 29
30 8 40 22
40 7 50 16
50 6 60 10
60 5 70 5
70 4
80 3

9. Model Selection
There are 3 models in Barcol series.
Model 934-1 which is equipped with standard load spring and standard indenter is in
widest application. It is used to test aluminum and aluminum alloys, copper and copper alloys,
fiber reinforced plastics, other reinforced plastics and unreinforced plastics etc. Its testing
range is equivalent to 25-135HBW (500kg, 10mm).The typical Barcol hardness of aluminum
and aluminum alloys of different grades and conditions are shown as table 3:
Table 3 Typical Bracol hardness of aluminum alloys
Alloys
and heat 1100-0 3003-0 3003H14 2024-0 5052-0 5052H14 6061T6 2024T3
treatment
Barcol
35 42 56 60 62 75 80 85
Hardness
Model 935 which is equipped with softer load spring and standard indenter is used to test
softer plastics, soft metals such as ead and tin and wood materials like floor etc. Its testing range is
equivalent to 50-110HRR.
Model 936 which is equipped with softer load spring and indenter with bigger cone angle
is used to test even softer materials such as leather, felt and soft wood etc.

10. Collocation
Standard Package
Tester
Leg
Standard hardness block (2 pcs)
Spare indenters (2 pcs)
Calibration wrench
Carrying case
Optional Accessories
High value Standard hardness block
Low value Standard hardness block
Spare indenters

10. Conversion
Barcol hardness can be converted to HB, HR, HV and HW, shown as table 4, Fig 2 and Fig 3.
Fig 2.Relationship between Barcol hardness with HB, HR, HV and HW

Fig 3. Relationship between Barcol hardness and Duroscope hardness

Table 4. Hardness Conversion Sheet
HB HR HB HR
HBa HV HW HBa HV HW
10mm 10mm
934- 5k W-2 934- 5k W-2
500k B E F H 500k B E F H
1 g 0 1 g 0
g g
3 11.
35 21 68 60 65 71 70 94
2 0
3 11.
36 22 69 62 67 73 72 95
5 4
3 11. 1
37 23 70 64 70 75 74 97
7 8 7
4 12. 2
38 24 71 67 72 76 75 98
0 2 3
4 12. 2
39 25 72 69 75 78 77 99
2 6 8
4 12. 3 10
40 25 26 73 72 78 80 79
5 9 3 0
4 13. 3 10
41 25 27 74 75 81 81 80
7 3 8 1
4 13. 4 10
42 26 28 75 78 85 83 82
9 7 2 2
5 14. 4 10
43 27 29 76 80 88 84 83
1 0 7 3
5 14. 5 10
44 27 30 77 84 92 86 85
4 3 1 4
5 14. 5 10
45 28 30 78 87 95 87 86
6 7 5 5
5 15. 5 10
46 29 31 79 90 99 89 88
8 0 9 6
2 6 10 15. 6 10
47 30 32 80 94 90 89
3 0 3 3 3 6
2 6 10 15. 6 10
48 30 33 0.7 81 97 91 90
6 2 8 6 6 7
2 6 11 15. 7 10
49 31 34 1.3 82 101 92 91
8 4 2 9 0 8
3 6 11 16. 7 10
50 32 35 1.9 83 105 94 92
1 6 7 2 3 9
3 6 12 16. 7 10
51 33 36 2.5 84 109 95 93
4 8 1 4 6 9
3 7 12 16. 7 11
52 34 38 3.1 85 113 96 94
6 0 6 7 9 0
53 35 39 3.6 3 3 7 86 117 13 16. 8 97 95 11
 9 0 2 1 9 1 1
4 3 7 13 17. 8 11
54 37 40 4.2 87 121 98 96
1 4 3 7 2 4 1
4 3 7 14 17. 8 11
55 38 41 4.7 88 126 99 97
4 7 5 2 4 6 2
4 4 7 17. 8 10 11
56 39 43 5.3 89 130 98
6 0 7 6 8 0 2
4 4 7 17. 9 10 11
57 40 44 5.8 90 135 98
8 3 8 8 0 1 3
5 4 8 18. 10 11
58 42 45 6.3 91 140 99
0 6 0 0 2 4
5 4 8 18. 10 10
59 43 47 6.8 92 145
3 8 2 2 3 0
5 5 8 18. 10 10
60 45 49 7.3 93
5 1 3 4 3 0
5 5 8 18. 10 10
61 46 50 7.8 94
7 4 5 6 4 1
5 5 8 18. 10 10
62 48 52 8.3 95
9 6 6 7 5 2
6 5 8 18. 10 10
63 50 54 8.8 96
1 9 8 9 6 2
6 6 8 19. 10 10
64 51 56 9.2 97
3 1 9 0 6 3
6 6 9 19. 10
65 53 58 9.7 98
5 3 0 2 7
10. 6 6 9 19. 10
66 55 60 98
1 7 6 2 3 7
10. 6 6 9 19. 10
67 57 62 100
6 9 8 3 4 8

Note: Because of the nature of soft metals, different testing systems can not establish
uniform relationship between each other. So the conversion table and curves are only for
reference. Suggest setting up Barcol hardness conversion relationship through testing on
each kind of material.