PCE Instruments PCE-2500N User manual

© PCE Instruments
PCE-2500N/PCE-2600N Material Tester
User Manual
User manuals in various languages (français,
italiano, español, português, nederlands, türk, polski,
русский, 中文) can be found by using our
product search on: www.pce-instruments.com
Last change: 16 May 2018
v1.0
English

© PCE Instruments
Contents
1Safety notes........................................................................................... 1
2Features ................................................................................................. 2
3Delivery contents..................................................................................2
4Measuring principle..............................................................................2
5Device description................................................................................4
6Technical specifications ...................................................................... 7
7Operation ............................................................................................... 8
7.1 Preparation of sample surface .......................................................................................... 8
7.2 Stabilisation of the sample ................................................................................................ 9
7.3 Prior to first measurement ............................................................................................. 9
7.4 Power on ......................................................................................................................... 9
7.5 Charging ......................................................................................................................... 9
7.6 Measurement ..................................................................................................................10
7.7 Readings displayed .......................................................................................................10
8Calibration ........................................................................................... 12
9Battery replacement............................................................................12
10 Additional information........................................................................12
10.1 Specifications of impact device ...................................................................................12
10.2 Sample requirements ....................................................................................................12
10.5 Conversion chart HLD/HLDL ............................................................................................ 1
11 Warranty................................................................................................. 1
12 Disposal ................................................................................................. 1

© PCE Instruments
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1 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The
device may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel.
Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and
not covered by our warranty.
• The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used otherwise,
this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
• The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative
humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose
the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
• Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
• Avoid dust, strong magnetic fields, oil, etc.
• The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
• Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
• You must not make any technical changes to the device.
• The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner,
no abrasives or solvents.
• The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
• Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not
use the device.
• Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
• The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under
any circumstances.
• Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to
the user.
We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of
business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at
the end of this manual.

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2 Features
• 128*64 OLED display;
• Micro USB storage device can be connected directly;
• Memory for 600 average values and 6 files;
• Limit alarm;
• Auto Power Off when battery is low;
• Easy-to-read display, clear digits
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery
• Applications: ball bearings and other parts, fault analysis of pressure vessels, steam
turbine generators and plants, heavy workpieces, mechanical and permanently
installed parts, limited space
3 Delivery contents
1 x hardness tester PCE-2500N or PCE-2600N
1 x charging cable
1 x test block
1 x cleaning brush
1 x user manual
1 x carrying case
4 Measuring principle
The LEEB method of measurement was first used in 1978. It is defined as the quotient of the
rebound velocity of an impact body over its impact velocity, multiplied by 1000. The harder a
material surface, the higher the rebound velocity will be. The Leeb hardness value represents the
direct relation of a group of materials (e. g. steel, aluminium) to its hardness properties.
For the most common metals, conversion charts are available. These enable the user to convert
HL hardness values into other standard hardness units (HB, HV, HRC, etc.).
An impact body with a spherical measuring tip made of tungsten carbide is accelerated towards
the test surface and then rebounds. The impact and rebound velocities are measured at a
distance of 1 mm from the test surface, using the following method: a permanent magnet in the
impact body induces an electrical current into the coil when passing through the coil in the coil
holder. This electrical current is proportional to the velocities of the magnet. Leeb hardness values
can be calculated by using the following formula:
HL = 1000 x (VB / VA)
HL : Hardness according to Leeb
VB : Rebound velocity
VA : Impact velocity

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The voltage curve of the output signal when the impact body passes through the induction coil is
shown in the following figure:
If you measure the hardness of a material with the conventional static test method, the pressure
you apply will affect the reading, e. g. 720 HLD ≠ 720 HLC. Since different impact devices
correlate with different conversion charts when converting Leeb hardness values into other
hardness units, the impact device used should be indicated in addition to the converted value.

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5 Device description
PCE-2500N
1. Display
2. Keypad
3. Loading tube
4. D-type impact body (within guide tube)
5. Micro USB charging socket
6. Support ring
1
2
3
4
5
6

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PCE-2600N
1. Display
2. Loading tube
3. Keypad
4. DL-type impact body (within guide tube)
5. Micro USB charging socket
1
2
3
4
5

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Display
After switching on the device, it will show the main screen:
HL: Hardness scale
AVE: Average value
: Impact direction
Difference between PCE-2500N and PCE-2600N
• PCE-2500N has a D probe for even surfaces
• PCE-2600N has a DL probe for uneven, small surfaces
PCE-2500N
PCE-2600N

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Keys
-On/Off
-Up
-Menu/Confirm
-Down
6 Technical specifications
Hardness scales
HL, HV, HRA, HRC, HRB, HB, HV, HS
Measurement ranges
170 … 960 HLD
17.9 … 69.5 HRC
19 … 683 HB
80 … 1042 HV
30.6 … 102.6 HS
59.1 … 88 HRA
13.5 … 101.7 HRB
Testable materials
Steel and cast steel, alloyed tool steel,
stainless steel, grey cast iron, spheroidal
graphite iron, cast aluminium, copper-zinc
alloy (brass), copper-tin alloy, copper
(bronze)
Accuracy
HLD: ±0.5% (800 HLD)
Repeatability
HLD: 0.8% (800 HLD)
Resolution
128 x 64 OLED display
Operating time
Approx. 10 h
Operating conditions
Temperature: 10 ~ 50 °C
Humidity max. 90 °C
Storage conditions
Temperature: -30 ~ 60 °C
Humidity max. 90 °C
Power supply
Rechargeable lithium battery
Dimensions
PCE-2500N: 148 x 32 x 25 mm
PCE-2600N: 205 x 32 x 25 mm
Weight
PCE-2500N: 64 g
PCE-2600N: 80 g

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7 Operation
Before using the device, read the information on calibration and about the factors that have an
effect on the measuring accuracy.
7.1 Preparation of sample surface
When preparing the sample, it is essential to observe the information given in the charts at the
end of this manual.
• When preparing the sample surface, bear in mind that heat, cold, etc. affect the
hardness of the surface to be tested.
• An excessively rough test surface can cause measurement errors. Therefore, the test
surface should have a metallic gloss and be even and free from grease.
• Surface: The test surface should be as smooth as possible. When the radius of
curvature R of the surface is smaller than 20 mm, a small support ring or another ring-
shaped fixing aid should be used.

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7.2 Stabilisation of the sample
- Heavy samples do not have to be stabilised;
- Medium-sized samples have to be placed on an even and hard surface. Make sure
that the sample rests on the surface evenly and does not move.
• Make sure that the sample is thick enough. For minimum thicknesses of a sample,
please refer to the charts at the end of this user manual.
• For samples with a hardened surface, find the minimum depths of the hardened layer
in the chart at the end of this manual.
• Coupling
- Lightweight samples must be closely coupled to a solid support. The two coupling
surfaces must be even and you must make sure not to use too much coupling gel.
The test direction should be vertical to the coupled surface.
- When the sample is a large plate, bar or bent part, it can deform considerably and
become unstable, even if the weight and thickness are as required. This causes
incorrect readings. In this case, the test surface of the sample should be reinforced
or supported.
• The magnetic field of the sample should not exceed 30 Gauss.
7.3 Prior to first measurement
Before making your first measurement, you should carry out a test measurement, using the test
block which is included in the delivery. Make 5 measurements and calculate the average. If the
values from the charts at the end of this manual are exceeded, the internal calibration function
can be used.
7.4 Power on
Press the On / Off key. The hardness tester will switch on and automatically enter measurement
mode.
7.5 Charging
• To lock the impact body, push down the loading tube completely. Do not release the
loading tube before you have reached the bottom. Then slowly bring it back to its
original position.
• Hold the device between your thumb and index finger and place it onto the sample.
While doing so, make sure that the support ring lies firmly on the surface and that the
impact direction is vertical to the test surface.

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7.6 Measurement
• Before applying the trigger, make sure that the sample stands firmly. Also ensure that
the direction of the starting force is in line with the axis of the impact device.
• Make a measurement by slightly pressing the trigger at the top of the device. The
reading will be shown in the display.
• Each portion of the sample must be measured 5 times. The results should not be
below or above the average value of ±15 HL.
• The distance between any two points of impact or between the middle of a point of
impact and the edge of a sample should fulfil the requirements in the following chart.
Centre to centre distance of the two
points of impact
Distance from centre of point of impact
to edge of sample
≥
≥
3 mm
5 mm
• At the end of the measurement, the results can be seen on the display. The hardness
value is the average value of 5 measurements at different measuring points.
• To switch off the device, press the On/Off key.
7.7 Readings displayed
• The hardness value is displayed in a certain hardness unit. If, for instance, a value of
700 is measured with a Leeb impact device and a D-type impact body, the hardness
value will be displayed as 700 HLD, HL standing for hardness according to Leeb and
D for the D-type impact body.
• When converting the HLD value into a different hardness unit, the test method should
be written as part of the unit. 400HVHLD, for example, stands for a hardness value of
400 HV (hardness according to Vickers), tested by the HLD method (Leeb hardness
with D-type impact device).

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7.8 Menu structure
Settings and additional functions can be found in the parameter menu. In the main screen,
press the Menu key to enter the main menu.
Select the corresponding options to set the parameters. You can make a selection using the
arrow keys. Confirm your selection with the Menu/Confirm key.
5. Cal. Average –
calculate / show
average
1. Impact Direc.
2. Average
3. Material
4. Hardness Scale
5. Tolerance – Max and
Min value
, , , , , auto
Mean Times: 5 (1-10 poss.)
10 mat., see specifications
HL, HV, HB, HRC, HS, HRB,
HRA
0000 … 9999 possible,
Menu/Confirm to go to next
digit
1. View File
2. Delete File
3. Select File No.
4. Return
Confirm DEL? Select
“YES“ to confirm or “NO“
in order not to delete the
value
6. Memory Manager
7. Calibrate –
See next chapter
8. System Set – system
settings
4. Delete Single –
delete single value
3. Save Average –
save / show average
value
2. Test Set – test
settings
1.Exit – back to main
screen
File No.: 1 … 9 possible
Confirm DEL? “YES“ -
confirm / “NO“ – do not delete
File No.: 1 … 9 possible
Return to main screen
1. Auto Save On/Off
2. Auto Dele On/Off
3. Language Set –
language Chinese or
English

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8 Calibration
Before first use and after not using the hardness tester for a period of time, it must be calibrated
by means of the Leeb test block.
Go to calibration mode via menu item 7.
x/5
000
Calibration
1/5
772 HL
Calibration
The device shows values in HLDL. In order to calculate your HLD value, please refer to the
conversion chart in 10.5.
9 Battery replacement
• Unscrew the cover on the back side of the display unit.
• Remove the battery.
• Insert the new battery. Observe correct polarity.
• Screw the cover back on.
• Switch on the device to find out if it works properly.
10 Additional information
10.1 Specifications of impact device
Type of impact device
D (PCE-2500N), DL (PCE-2600N)
Impact energy
Impact weight
11 mJ
5,5 g
Ball hardness
Ball diameter
Ball material
1600 HV
3 mm
Tungsten carbide
Diameter of impact device
Length of impact device
Weight of impact device
20 mm
147 mm
50 g
10.2 Sample requirements
Max. sample hardness
940 HV
Max. sample roughness Ra
1.6 μm
Min. sample weight
Measurement without stabilisation
Stabilisation
Coupling necessary
>5 kg
2 ~ 5 kg
0.05 ~ 2 kg
Max. sample thickness
Measurement without coupling
Coupling necessary
>5 mm
≤5 mm
Min. depth of hardened layer
0.8 mm
Measure 5 measuring points of the Leeb hardness block.
The impact direction must be vertically down.
After the measurement, the hardness tester will show the
average value.
Press the arrow keys to set the average value to the
standard value of the test block. (You can set the value
up to 15 HL higher or lower). Confirm with the
Menu/Confirm key. “Calibration complete“ will be
displayed.

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10.3 Ball indentation
Hardness 300 HV
Indentation diameter
Penetration depth
0.54 mm
24 μm
Hardness 600 HV
Indentation diameter
Penetration depth
0.54 mm
17 μm
Hardness 800 HV
Indentation diameter
Penetration depth
0.35 mm
10 μm
10.4 Conversion chart materials
Material
Hardness scale
Value
Steel and cast steel
HRC
17.9～68.5
HRB
59.6～99.6
HRA
59.1～85.8
HB
127～651
HV
83～976
HS
32.2～99.5
Steel
HB
143～650
Alloyed tool steel
HRC
20.4～67.1
HV
80～898
Stainless steel
HRB
46.5～101.7
HB
85～65 5
HV
85～802
Grey cast iron
HRC
HB
93～334
HV
Spheroidal graphite iron
HRC
HB
131～387
HV
Cast aluminium
HB
19～164
HRB
23.8～84.6
Brass
HB
40～173
HRB
13.5～95.3
Bronze
HB
60～290
Copper
HB
45～315

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10.5 Conversion chart HLD/HLDL
HLD
300
304
306
308
310
314
316
318
322
324
328
330
334
336
338
340
344
346
348
352
354
HLDL
560
562
564
566
568
570
572
574
576
578
580
582
584
586
588
590
592
594
596
598
600
HLD
356
360
361
364
367
370
372
374
377
380
383
386
387
390
392
395
398
400
403
405
408
HLDL
602
604
606
608
610
612
614
616
618
620
622
624
626
628
630
632
634
636
638
640
642
HLD
410
413
415
418
420
423
425
429
431
433
436
438
440
444
446
448
451
453
456
458
461
HLDL
644
646
648
650
652
654
656
658
660
662
664
666
668
670
672
674
676
678
680
682
684
HLD
464
466
468
472
474
476
479
481
484
487
490
492
495
497
500
502
505
508
510
513
516
HLDL
686
688
690
692
694
696
698
700
702
704
706
708
710
712
714
716
718
720
722
724
726
HLD
518
521
524
527
530
532
534
537
540
544
546
548
551
554
557
560
563
566
569
572
574
HLDL
728
730
732
734
736
738
740
742
744
746
748
750
752
754
756
758
760
762
764
766
768
HLD
578
581
584
587
590
592
596
599
602
605
608
611
614
617
620
624
627
630
634
637
640
HLDL
770
772
774
776
778
780
782
784
786
788
790
792
794
796
798
800
802
804
806
808
810
HLD
644
647
650
654
657
660
664
667
670
674
678
681
684
688
691
695
698
702
706
709
712
HLDL
812
814
816
818
820
822
824
826
828
830
832
834
836
838
840
842
844
846
848
850
852
HLD
716
720
724
728
730
734
738
742
746
749
752
756
760
764
768
771
774
778
782
786
789
HLDL
854
856
858
860
862
864
866
868
870
872
874
876
878
880
882
884
886
888
890
892
894
HLD
793
797
800
804
808
812
815
819
823
826
830
834
837
841
845
849
852
856
860
864
867
HLDL
896
898
900
902
904
906
908
910
912
914
916
918
920
922
924
926
928
930
932
934
936
HLD
871
874
878
882
886
889
893
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
HLDL
938
940
942
944
946
948
950
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

© PCE Instruments
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11 Warranty
You can read our warranty terms in our General Business Terms which you can find here:
https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/terms.
12 Disposal
For the disposal of batteries in the EU, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament
applies. Due to the contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste.
They must be given to collection points designed for that purpose.
In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use
them or give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.
For countries outside the EU, batteries and devices should be disposed of in accordance with
your local waste regulations.
If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

© PCE Instruments
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PCE Instruments contact information
Germany France Spain
PCE Deutschland GmbH PCE Instruments France EURL PCE Ibérica S.L.
Im Langel 4 23, rue de Strasbourg Calle Mayor, 53
D-59872 Meschede 67250 SOULTZ-SOUS-FORETS 02500 Tobarra (Albacete)
Deutschland France España
Tel.: [phone] Téléphone: [phone] Tel. : [phone]
Fax: [phone] Numéro de fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch www.pce-instruments.com/french www.pce-instruments.com/espanol
United States of America United Kingdom Italy
PCE Americas Inc. PCE Instruments UK Ltd PCE Italia s.r.l.
711 Commerce Way suite 8 Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park Via Pesciatina 878 / B-Interno 6
Jupiter / Palm Beach Ensign Way, Southampton 55010 LOC. GRAGNANO
33458 FL Hampshire CAPANNORI (LUCCA)
USA United Kingdom, SO31 4RF Italia
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone] Telefono: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/us www.pce-instruments.com/english www.pce-instruments.com/italiano
The Netherlands Chile Hong Kong
PCE Brookhuis B.V. PCE Instruments Chile S.A. PCE Instruments HK Ltd.
Institutenweg 15 RUT: 76.154.057-2 Unit J, 21/F., COS Centre
7521 PH Enschede Santos Dumont 738, local 4 56 Tsun Yip Street
Nederland Comuna de Recoleta, Santiago, Chile Kwun Tong
Telefoon: [phone] Tel. : [phone] Kowloon, Hong Kong
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/dutch www.pce-instruments.com/chile www.pce-instruments.cn
China Turkey
PCE (Beijing) Technology Co.,Ltd PCE Teknik Cihazları Ltd.Şti.
1519 Room, 6 Building Halkalı Merkez Mah.
Men Tou Gou Xin Cheng, Pehlivan Sok. No.6/C
Men Tou Gou District 34303 Küçükçekmece - İstanbul
102300 Beijing Türkiye
China Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone] Faks: 0212 705 53 93
[email protected] [email protected]
www.pce-instruments.cn www.pce-instruments.com/turkish