The Hardness and Scratch Resistance of Plastics.-A New Method of Test

JSGT 1942 V26 T130-T144

The difficulties associated with the application of the conventional hardness tests to plastic materials are discussed, and a new method of test is devised in which a stream of carborundum particles is allowed to impinge on the specimen and the scattering of light by the abraded spot thus produced is taken as a measure of the scratch resistance. The development of the test is described, and details are given of the precautions needed to ensure accurate and. consistent results. The results of tests on some common materials are included.

David Starkie, M.Sc., Ph.D.