What does the Erichsen scratch test mainly measure?

 

 

Surface hardness assessment: By applying a certain load to the surface of the material and scratching using standardized tools, the surface hardness of the material can be assessed. Hardness mainly reflects the resistance of the material to external forces, and for some applications (such as automotive interiors), the higher the hardness may indicate the better resistance of the material to scratches and wear.

 

2. Scrape resistance assessment: By controlling the load and scratch speed imposed by the scratch tool, you can simulate the scratch situation that the material may encounter in actual use. During the test, by measuring the scar width and depth of the resulting scratch, the material's resistance to scratch and wear, thus predicting its service life.

 

Material Comparison and Selection: Using Erichsen scratch test, different materials (such as plastic, coating, metal, etc.) can be compared to assess their relative scratch resistance and wear resistance. This helps manufacturers and designers select the right materials to ensure that the product is sufficiently durable and appearing quality in actual use.

 

It is important to note that Erichsen scratch test is a relative evaluation method, and the results are affected by the test parameters. Therefore, in order to obtain reliable test results, standardized testing methods must be used and the use of loads, scratch speeds and scratch tools strictly controlled during the test. In addition, there may be other factors in practical applications affecting the wear resistance of the material, so the Erichsen scratch test results are only used as reference and need to be combined with other actual conditions for a comprehensive assessment.