DESCRIPTION: Sward Rocker Hardness DWG NO: FQ000009

KEY NOUN: Test DATE: 03/95

REVISIONS
NO. WAS DATE BY ECN NO.
1 Updated into Word for InfoView Oct-01 WL 15078
2 Procedure for Old Equipment/Added ASTM info and type of Wood Sep-04 PS 15742

I. SCOPE
This procedure describes the use of the Sward type hardness rocker to determine the
hardness of organic coatings. Reference ASTM D2134-93 (2001). [2]

II. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

The Sward Rocker is used to determine the hardness of organic coatings such as lacquer.
The Sward rocker operates on the principle that the amplitude of oscillations of the rocking
device decreases more rapidly the softer the surface on which the test is conducted. Its
performance is sensitive to the surface condition of the coating or test piece and may be
influenced by the thickness of the coating and the nature of the substrate.

III. TEST SPECIMEN

The test piece shall be made of a 5” x 4” x ¾” piece (minimum) of solid hard maple for
qualifying new lacquers, but other wood substrates can be used for preferred hardness
readings. The test piece shall be made so that it is level and will rest free of movement. Test
specimens that wobble shall be fastened to a leveling table so that no wobble occurs.

IV. SAMPLE PREPARATION

The 5” x 4” x ¾” hard maple piece (minimum) should be sanded using BCC wood plant
abrasive wide belt panel sanding equipment. This equipment should be used to final sand at
120 grit. The sample should be prepared with the entire coating system to be tested; this
system should be marked, step-by-step on the reverse side of the specimen. Coatings are to
be applied in BCC facilities using our production equipment, under production conditions
(Booth time, flash time, oven time and temperature, etc.) The time of each application should
be noted. For comparison, hardness testing should occur ten days after the application of the
final coat of finish. Earlier or later testing should be noted in the results. A measurement of
the overall dry film thickness should be recorded at the time of hardness testing. [2]

V. APPARATUS
Hardness Rocker – A Sward type hardness rocker is required.

Leveling Table – A leveling table will insure the top surface of the test specimen is level.
Warped specimens will be rejected and a new specimen requested.

Calibration Plate – The rocker is calibrated using a polished glass plate.

Draft Shield – A draft screen is required to shield the rocker from air currents. A draft screen
is simply a box placed around the test apparatus. One side of the screen is open to allow
access to the rocker and test specimen.
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Wand – The wand is a convenient item to assist the operator in the starting of the rocker with
the draft shield in place.

VI CALIBRATION – See Instruction Manual [2]

VII. PROCEDURE [2]

Generally check that the instrument is clean, undamaged, and calibrated.

1. Position the test specimen so that it is level and stable in both left to right and front to
back directions.

2. Insure that both surfaces of the test panel are clean. There should be no fingerprints or
other “smudges” on the test surface. Minimum test panel size is 3x4 inches. Maximum
test panel size is 16x24 inches. There is no thickness limitation on larger panels as the
Draft Cover rests on the test surface rather than on the plate glass of the Leveling Plate.

3. Energize the digital counter of the Gardener/Sward hardness rocker. This is done by
placing the black switch on the back of the instrument in the “up” position. Normally,
when energized, one or more of the “0” digits will change to another number.

4. Place the Draft Shield over the instrument so that it encompasses the smaller test panels
or on the surface of the larger test panels.

5. With a finger or the convenience wand, gently push the weight support rod of the rocker
to the left, rotating the instrument to between 25 to 27 degrees from its “at rest” position.
Any digits appearing on the counter other than “0” will return to “0” as the rocker passes
through about 22 degrees, this procedure eliminates the possibility of errors resulting
from shock, vibration or air currents due to relative late placement of the Draft Shield.

6. Release the rocker. As soon as its swing amplitude decays to the high set limit,
approximately 22 degrees, the counter automatically starts registering each swing cycle
and continues to do so until the swing amplitude drops below the low set limit,
approximately 16 degrees. This count of swing cycles between the high and low set
limits remains on the counter display until cleared by the operator.

7. A minimum of three valid readings should be averaged for each recorded measurement.
Repeat steps 5 and 6, recording the cycle count number following each test.

8. At the conclusion of a series of tests, remove the Draft cover and lift the Gardner/Sward
rocker from its operating position. Return the switch on the back of the instrument to the
lower position.

VIII. REPORT
1. A complete description of the test specimen including coating and substrate.

2. The Sward Rocker hardness number.

NOTICE:
THIS DRAWING AND ALL INFORMATION THEREON IS THE PROPERTY OF:
BATESVILLE CASKET COMPANY, INC.
BATESVILLE, INDIANA
THIS DRAWING AND INFORMATION THEREON IS CONFIDENTIAL, MUST NOT BE MADE PUBLIC OR COPIED, OR USED FOR ANY PURPOSES OTHER
THAN THE BATESVILLE CASKET COMPANY, INC., PURPOSES FOR WHICH IT IS FURNISHED IT MUST BE RETURNED ON DEMAND.

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