The set of Elcometer 3080 Hardness Testing Pencils is a simple but effective technique to evaluate the hardness of many coatings.

The pencil lead, prepared beforehand by using the special pencil sharpener and rubbing it on fine abrasive paper (400 grade), is maintained at an angle of 45° and pushed with uniform pressure on to the sample, leaving either a superficial trace or causing destruction down to the substrate.
The Elcometer 3080 Pencil Hardness Test is supplied complete with stand and a series of 14 pencils, ranging from 6B to 6H hardness values.