Penetrometers

Article No. 12812

Portable Penetrometer w/Std Needle

Lighter and smaller penetrometer
Great for field work
Micrometer adjusts for accurate settings as well as coarse adjustment for approximate settings

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Features

Universal Penetrometers are direct-reading instruments for precision penetration measurements of bituminous materials, cement, petrolatum and waxes, as well as food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
Unit has 5" diameter indicator dial
Graduated in 400 divisions of 0.1mm
Corresponding to 40mm penetration
Zero preset to eliminate errors

Technical Attributes

Data

Model Univseral Portable
Dimensions: 10.5" x 13" x 22"
(266.7 x 330.2 x 558.8mm) 7" x 7" x 16"
(178 x 178 x 406mm)
Weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg) 8 lbs (3.6 kg)

Procedure

Level the instrument carefully by means of the leveling screws on the base, sighting the spirit level from above to obtain accurate alignment. After the instrument has been leveled, avoid shifting its location. Otherwise it will be necessary to repeat the leveling process.
Insert penetrating needle or cone into the chuck and tighten the chuck screw.
Set the zero reference. Grasp the gear rack knob and pull up to release the clutch trigger. With the trigger released, raise the test plunger as high as possible. If the dial reading is not exactly zero, adjust the reading to zero by means of the zero setting screw (which is on the bottom of the dial housing) which is adjustable as required. Use a #8 Allen Wrench.
Add the required weights to plunger head. In adding weights and in order to make up the required load for the test, note that the weight of the test plunger itself is 47.5 grams. For example, when the specified load for grease penetrations involving the use of a grease cone is 150 grams, no weights need be added to the plunger head since the combined weight of the cone (102.5 grams) and test plunger (47.5 grams) makes up required load as specified by ASTM. Place a prepared sample in position on base.
Adjust the height of the mechanism head via the control sleeve on the main post so as to bring the point of the penetrating instrument exactly into contact with the surface of the sample. To adjust the height of the mechanism head, release the lock screw. This adjustment may be accomplished more easily by placing a weak light to one side of the sample container and observing the shadow formed by the penetrating instrument on the surface of sample, until light disappears from the point. BE SURE TO RELOCK THE HEAD SECURELY BY MEANS OF THE LOCK SCREW AFTER THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT IS COMPLETED.
Release the test plunger, allowing the penetrating instrument to descend into the sample. To release the test plunger, depress and hold the clutch trigger in its released position during the specified time required for the test. Use a stopwatch to verify release duration. CAUTION: In operating the clutch trigger, grasp the finger grip firmly with the forefinger, and with the thumb depress the clutch trigger quickly as far in as it will go. HOLD THE CLUTCH TRIGGER IN DURING THE SPECIFIED LENGTH OF THE TEST. At the specified duration, let go of the clutch trigger quickly, allowing it to lock the test plunger instantly.
To read the depth of penetration, push down the gear rack knob gently as far as it will go. The dial reading now indicates the depth of penetration directly in tenths of millimeters. For example: If the pointer comes to a rest at the fourth mark past the 270 point, the depth of penetration is 274 tenths of a millimeter or 27.4 millimeters.
With the Universal Penetrometer, penetration measurements can be made to a total depth of 40 mm on a single reading. On depths greater than 40 mm the dial pointer makes a complete revolution and moves past the zero position for a fraction of another revolution. Simply add the fractional revolution to determine the total depth of penetration.
Return the dial pointer to zero, as directed in the Installation paragraph. If the original zero setting has been accurate, the dial pointer will return exactly to zero and subsequent readings will check against standard gauge blocks.