Evaluation of measurement uncertainties for a scratching tester

The present study intends to evaluate the measurement uncertainty for a scratching tester, which was developed in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Federal University of Santa Catarina. This tester furnishes the scratching hardness and the energy required to displace an unitary volume from material surface. The test basically consists in scratching a sample surface, knowing the scratching conditions and morphology. The uncertainties considered are associated to the stylus geometry, the scratch width and the load application system. Results suggested a preferential use to the equipment in materials with high performance in sclerometric tests, where the uncertainties are less than 10% of the base value.