Mar Tester
Automatic Mar Tester
Automatic Mar Apparatus
Instrumented Mar Machine
Expert Mar and Surface Hardness Test
ASTM D2197 ASTM D5178
ISO 1518-1 ISO 1518-2
SO 12137 BS3900-E2

Automatic Mar Tester - Features:

This professional Automatic Mar Tester and Scratch Tester is engineered in accordance international test standards including ISO 1518 and ASTM D2197 to professionally assess the resistance of surface coatings to scratching and marring.

 
The purpose of ISO 1518:

This test standard ISO 1518 specifies a method for determining the resistance of coatings to scratching and marring using a standardized scratch stylus under specified conditions.
It's applicable to coatings applied to various substrates, including metals, plastics, and wood.
The test results help evaluate the durability and quality of coatings.

This precision Automatic Mar Tester is a professioonal device capable of applying a controlled force and speed to a scratch stylus which is moved accross a smaple surface at a specified constant speed. The Sample Holder Platform is a stable platform for holding the test specimen.
The large integrated LCD Display is comfortable to read and assists with the computerized control of your sample tests and the relevant test data acquisition.

Scratch Stylus: A precision engineered hemispherical or conical stylus made of a hard material including Tungsten Carbide and Stainless Steel as well as Sapphire Cone and Diamond Cone Scratch Styli are available.
The geometry and dimensions of the Styli is specified in ISO 1518.

Microscope or Magnifying Device: Usually, the included Magnifying Glass is used for the visual assessment of the scratch or mar on the sample surface and the surface coatings.

Calibration Weights: The inlcuded precision engineered Test Loads are carefully calibrated to ensure the accuracy of the applied force via the Stylus onto the Surface Coating.

Test Panels: This Automatic Mar Tester can be used to professionally evaluate the Scratch Resistance of a wide range of samples. Usually, Metal Panels made of Aluminum or Steel, which are usually called Test Panels or Substrates or Specimen are used to apply a Single-Layer Coating or a Multi-Layer Coating wich after a specified Drying Porcedure is tested for its Mar and Scratch Resistance onto the The coated substrates to be tested.

ISO 1518 Test Procedure:

Sample Preparation: Clean the Test Panels thoroughly to remove any contaminants.
Ensure the panels are flat and free from defects that could affect the test results.
Condition the samples at a specified temperature and humidity.

Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST preparations: Select the appropriate Scratch Stylus and install it carefully in the Stylus Holder of your Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST.

Select a suitable Test Load from the wide range of included precision engineered Test Loads suitable for the estimated scrtach resistance for your samples.

Set the required Test Parameters including the applied Force, Scratch Speed and the Scratch Length.

Sample Test: Place the Test Panel on the Sample Holder Platform of your Automatic Scratch Tester QPI-AST and secure it carefully with the Test Panel Holder.

Position the precision engineered Scratch Stylus at the starting point of the test track. The Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST offers an adjustable Sample Holder Platform which can be conveniently adjusted and positioned by pressing the comfortable Softtouch Buttons located on the Control Panel of the Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST.

Initiate the Automatic Mar and Scratch Test by pressing the Start Softtouch Button on the Control Panel of the Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST and the instrument automatically performs an completes the Mar and Scratch Sample Test by applying the specified precision engineered Test Load and by moving the specified precision engineered Stylus across the coating surface.

Repeat the test with different Test Loads and or with different Speeds at different locations on the panel.

Evaluation: Carefully remove the Test Panel from the Sample Holder Platform and visually inspect the scratch or mar using a microscope or the included Magnifying Device.

Carefully assess the damage of the Surface Coating or the Sample Surface according to the criteria specified in ISO 1518 including:

i) determining the minimum force required to cause a visible scratch.

ii) evaluating the severity of the scratch or mar, for example, depth, width and delamination.

iii) comparing the scratch or mar to available reference standards.

iv) recording the test results including the applied force, scratch speed and the observed damage.

Mar Testing and Scratch Testing:

While ISO 1518 covers both scratching and marring, there is a subtle difference to observe.

Scratch Testing typically involves a deeper and more pronounced cut into the Surface Coating.

Mar Testing assesses more superficial damages such as a light scuffs or marks on the coating surface.

The Automatic Mar Tester QPI-AST can be used successfully for both types of test, the Mar Test and the Scratch Test.

By following these procedures in accordance with the Test Standards ASTM D2197 and ISO 1518 you can effectively perform Automatic Scratch Tests and Automatic Mar Tests to evaluate the Scratch and Mar Resistance of Coatings according to ASTM D2197 and ISO 1518.