Pencil Hardness Tests

The PHT pencil hardness tester is a practical and reliable tool for evaluating the surface hardness of coatings such as paints, varnishes, inks, and synthetic resins. It uses the Wolff-Wilborn method, widely recognized in industries like automotive, furniture, and coating development.

What is the pencil hardness test?

The pencil hardness test is a simple, standardized method to measure a coating’s resistance to scratching. A sharpened pencil lead is slid across the coated surface under constant pressure and angle.

• The lead is prepped by rubbing it on fine abrasive paper.
• It is held at a fixed angle of 45°.
• A constant pressure of 750 grams is applied to the sample.
• The hardness is defined by the softest pencil that scratches or penetrates the coating.

The NEURTEK pencil hardness tester includes a stable holder that ensures repeatability and minimizes user error.

Step-by-step test procedure

1. Clean and prepare the surface to be tested.

2. Select and sharpen the pencil to the required hardness.

3. Place the pencil in the holder until the tip touches the surface.

4. Secure it using the side screw.

5. Position the tester horizontally on the sample.

6. Slide the holder forward 6 to 12 mm, holding it at the center of the wheels.

What is included in the kit

The PHT pencil hardness tester comes ready to use with:

• 14 pencils of various hardness levels: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, F, HB, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H.
• Support holder (pencil guide) with fixed weight.
• Sharpener.
• Carrying case.

Optional: Additional set of 7H, 8H, and 9H hardness pencils available upon request.

Key features

• Scratch test according to the Wolff-Wilborn method.
• Fixed application angle: 45°
• Constant pressure: 750 g.
• Quick pencil replacement for continuous testing.
• Suitable for paints, coatings, varnishes, resins, and more.
• Enables consistent comparison between materials or surface treatments.

Complies with international standards

The PHT pencil hardness tester by NEURTEK complies with the following industry standards:

• UNE EN ISO 15184
• UNE 48269
• ASTM D3363
• DIN 13523-4