{"product_id":"scratch-resistance-tester","title":"Scratch Resistance Tester","description":"\u003ch2\u003eScratch Resistance Tester – QualiHSA™ SRT\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QualiHSA™ SRT Scratch Resistance Tester evaluates the mechanical durability of protective coatings by moving a\n    hardened steel needle across the coated surface under a controlled 10 N force. The test determines whether\n    insulation coatings can withstand scratching without compromising their protective function. It is used by\n    electrical safety laboratories to assess accessible appliance surfaces and coated printed circuit boards where the\n    coating provides supplementary or reinforced insulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA PLC-controlled stepper motor regulates needle movement, including travel speed, scratch length, and spacing. The\n    integrated 7-inch color touchscreen allows operators to configure and save test parameters for consistent repeat\n    testing. Once the settings are established, the complete test sequence can be initiated with a single button.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe testing needle features a 40° conical profile with a rounded, polished tip radius of R0.25 mm. It is positioned\n    at an angle of 80° to 85° relative to the specimen surface and applies an axial force of 10 N ± 0.5 N. Scratch speed\n    is adjustable from 0.1 mm\/s to 30 mm\/s, with an accuracy of ±1%, accommodating the standard-specified speed of 20\n    mm\/s. An automatic 90° specimen indexing mechanism enables perpendicular scratch patterns in both vertical and\n    horizontal directions without requiring manual repositioning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOperators can program scratch length, spacing, and the number of repetitions directly through the touchscreen. With a\n    working area of at least 200 mm × 200 mm, the instrument accommodates a wide range of coated specimens. Its\n    controlled testing process helps compliance engineers reproduce the required scratch pattern before conducting the\n    subsequent electric strength test.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QualiHSA™ SRT is suitable for manufacturers of household appliances, power supplies, and information technology\n    equipment that need to evaluate conformal coatings and printed circuit board finishes. Available power\n    configurations include 110 V, 60 Hz and 220 V, 50 Hz, supporting installation in North American laboratories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eScratch Resistance Tester – QualiHSA™ SRT Applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QualiHSA™ SRT is designed for coating evaluation programs in which surface layers contribute to electrical\n    insulation and must retain their protective properties after mechanical contact. Its testing capabilities cover\n    coated printed circuit boards, painted equipment enclosures, and accessible plastic components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eHousehold Appliance Manufacturing: Evaluates protective coatings on accessible appliance components and\n            enclosures to determine whether scratching could expose energized conductors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003ePrinted Circuit Board Coating Validation: Assesses conformal coatings used to provide supplementary or\n            reinforced insulation between conductive components on printed circuit boards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003ePower Supply and Charger Production: Checks whether insulating films on coated circuit boards inside compact\n            adapters remain intact following handling and assembly operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eIT and Communication Equipment: Supports coating durability assessments for equipment subject to information\n            technology and audio\/video product safety requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eSafety Certification Laboratories: Provides repeatable scratch testing procedures that form part of the\n            evaluation process before the electric strength test, with results documented in compliance records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eCoating and Ink Suppliers: Enables comparative testing of different conformal coating formulations using\n            consistent needle geometry and applied force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eMotor Drive and Control Assemblies: Evaluates insulating coatings on circuit boards and coated busbar\n            coverings used in power electronic assemblies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eIncoming Quality Control: Helps quality teams assess incoming batches of coated circuit boards supplied by\n            contract manufacturers before they proceed to final assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eApplicable Standards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QualiHSA™ SRT supports coating durability assessments required by electrical and electronic equipment safety\n    standards. These procedures examine whether insulating coatings on accessible surfaces and printed circuit boards\n    can withstand mechanical scratching without losing their intended insulation function. The instrument provides\n    controlled needle geometry, a defined 10 N test force, adjustable travel speed, and programmable scratch positioning\n    to carry out the specified evaluations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eIEC 60335-1 – Household and Similar Electrical Appliances: Safety – Part 1: General Requirements: Clause 21.2\n            specifies scratch testing of coatings on household appliances and similar electrical equipment to assess\n            their resistance to mechanical damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eIEC 60950-1 – Information Technology Equipment: Safety – Part 1: General Requirements: Clause 2.10.8.4\n            addresses protective coatings applied to printed circuit boards, including their ability to maintain the\n            required insulation protection following the prescribed scratch test.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eIEC 62368-1 – Audio\/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment: Part 1: Safety Requirements:\n            Annex G covers the abrasion resistance evaluation of coating layers used in equipment covered by this safety\n            standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003eScratch Resistance Tester – QualiHSA™ SRT Key Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe QualiHSA™ SRT provides automated control over the critical variables that influence scratch testing, including\n    needle speed, applied force, and scratch positioning. Test configurations can be entered and stored through the\n    touchscreen, allowing operators to reproduce the same testing conditions across multiple specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003ePLC Control with 7-Inch Color Touchscreen: Provides a centralized interface for setting scratch speed,\n            length, spacing, and repetition count. Stored configurations can be retrieved for subsequent tests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eStepper Motor Drive: Maintains controlled needle movement throughout the testing stroke, with scratch speed\n            accuracy of ±1%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eStandard Needle Geometry: Uses a hardened steel needle with a 40° conical point and an R0.25 ± 0.02 mm\n            polished tip, corresponding to the published test methods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eFixed 10 N Loading: Maintains an axial needle force of 10 N ± 0.5 N to ensure consistent mechanical loading\n            during each scratch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eWide Speed Range: Offers adjustable travel speeds from 0.1 mm\/s to 30 mm\/s, covering the specified 20 mm\/s\n            test speed as well as slower speeds for exploratory testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eAutomatic 90° Indexing: Rotates the specimen in both directions to produce vertical and horizontal scratch\n            patterns without removing or reclamping the sample.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eLarge Working Area: Provides a minimum scratch testing area of 200 mm × 200 mm for accommodating full-size\n            printed circuit boards and enclosure panels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eProgrammable Scratch Pattern: Allows scratch lengths from 5 mm to 200 mm and spacing adjustments from 0.2 mm\n            to 200 mm. The repetition count can also be configured according to the test procedure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eAdjustable Scratch Angle: Supports needle inclination settings between 80° and 85° to reproduce the\n            positioning illustrated in the applicable test method drawings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eOne-Button Operation: Starts the complete programmed scratch sequence with a single command, reducing manual\n            intervention and minimizing variation between test runs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\n\n        \u003cp\u003eDual Voltage Build: Available with 110 V, 60 Hz or 220 V, 50 Hz power supplies. Other electrical\n            configurations can be provided upon request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n    \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTheory and Method\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scratch resistance test determines whether an insulating coating can maintain its electrical protective function\n    after sustaining mechanical surface damage. Rather than relying on visual inspection alone, the procedure\n    deliberately subjects the coating to controlled scratching at locations where the electrical potential difference\n    between conductive components is greatest. Five pairs of conductive parts are subjected to the prescribed scratch\n    pattern. Each scratch must remain at least 5 mm away from adjacent scratches and 5 mm from the specimen edge.\n    Following this mechanical assessment, an electric strength test establishes whether the remaining coating can still\n    withstand the required working voltage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeedle geometry directly influences the stress applied to the coating. Its 40° conical profile concentrates the axial\n    force of 10 N onto a very small contact area, typically measuring only a few hundred micrometers across. This\n    concentration produces substantially higher localized pressure than a flat-ended indenter. The polished tip, rounded\n    to a 0.25 mm radius, provides a defined contact geometry and helps ensure that test results reflect the coating's\n    mechanical properties rather than variations caused by differences in needle sharpness or wear. Maintaining the\n    needle inclination between 80° and 85° encourages a consistent forward scratching action while preventing excessive\n    penetration and chatter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTravel speed is another important factor because polymer coatings exhibit viscoelastic behavior, meaning their\n    mechanical response changes with deformation rate. As strain rate increases, these materials become stiffer.\n    Maintaining a controlled needle speed of 20 mm\/s establishes a consistent deformation rate throughout each scratch,\n    allowing groove depth to be evaluated in relation to the coating's properties rather than variations in operator\n    technique. The stepper motor drive maintains speed accuracy within ±1% over the full travel distance, while the PLC\n    reproduces the programmed scratch path for every pass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor specimens requiring scratches in perpendicular directions, the automatic 90° indexing mechanism changes the\n    specimen orientation between passes. This arrangement allows cross-hatched scratch patterns to be completed within\n    the same setup, eliminating the need to release and reposition the specimen manually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eScratch Resistance Tester - QualiHSA™ SRT Technical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"table table-style-align-center\" align=\"center\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n    \u003cthead\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003cth\u003eParameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n            \u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/thead\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eVoltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e110 V, 60 Hz or 220 V, 50 Hz (other supplies on request)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eControl System\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003ePLC with 7-inch color touchscreen\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eDrive System\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eStepper motor\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eStations\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eSingle station\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eNeedle Material\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eHardened steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eNeedle Apex Angle\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e40°\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eNeedle Tip Radius\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eR0.25 ± 0.02 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eApplied Load\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e10 N ± 0.5 N\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eScratch Angle\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e80° to 85°\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eScratch Speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e0.1 mm\/s to 30 mm\/s, adjustable\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eScratch Speed Accuracy\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e±1%\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eScratch Length\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e5 mm to 200 mm, operator set\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eScratch Spacing\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e0.2 mm to 200 mm, operator set\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eMaximum Scratch Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003e≥ 200 mm × 200 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eContinuous Repeat Scratches\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eProgrammable\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eNumber of Scratches\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eLimited only by scratch spacing and travel range\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eSpecimen Indexing\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eAutomatic 90° rotation in both directions\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eOperation Mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd\u003eOne-button start\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Qualitest USA LC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53604926128439,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0786\/1859\/1543\/files\/scratch-resistance-tester2094130.webp?v=1794481924","url":"https:\/\/qualitest.us\/es\/products\/scratch-resistance-tester","provider":"Qualitest USA LC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}