Pencils for Pencil Hardness Tester

Model MTM006

Description:

·        The test is very simple to do, will give uniform results, and is dependable because the pencils are graded. The grade of the pencil is determined by the amount of baked graphite and clay in its composition.

·        Grading pencils come in an assortment of both hard and soft, and can be found in most art or office supply stores.

·        The set I have consists of twelve pencils, ranging in hardness from 4H to 6B. The 'H' stands for hardness, the 'B' stands for blackness, and HB is for hard and black pencils. The hardest is a 9H, followed by 8H, 7H, 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, and H. F is the middle of the hardness scale; then comes HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, and 9B, which is the softest. Another grading method uses numbers; the equivalents would be #1=B, #2=HB, #2-1/2=F, #3=H, and #4=2H. The most commonly used writing pencil is the #2 (HB grade), which is fairly soft, contains more graphite, and leaves a dark mark.

·        To do your own pencil hardness testing, always start with a dry, clean, well-sanded piece of wood.

·        The pencil hardness test is only one of many tests that are done to evaluate a coating's performance.