The Elcometer 3092 tests the hardness of a coating by moving a Tungsten Carbide Tip over the coating with a predetermined force.

The body of the instrument contains a cursor fitted with a screw lock and a round tip, compressed by one of the four springs corresponding to the four printed scales:

• Grey spring:  0-3N (0.671lbF)
• Red spring:  0-10N (2.248lbF)
• Blue spring:  0-20N (4.49lbF)
• Green spring:  0-30N (6.74lbF)

The spring force can be set by the “collar”; compressing the spring increases the force with which the tip is pushed onto the surface of the test piece. By making short, straight movements while gradually increasing the load, the user can observe the force at which the tip leaves a mark or destroys the coating.

Each Elcometer 3092 is supplied in a case with a 0.75mm (0.03”) diameter tungsten carbide tip and 3 springs (grey, red and blue). An optional green spring of 0 to 30N is also available to order separately.