Scleroscope
(ˈsklɪərəskəʊp)
Also scleroscope.
[f. sclero- + -scope.]
An instrument for measuring the hardness of a material, this being indicated by the height of rebound of a small diamond-tipped hammer dropped from a standard height on to the material. Also attrib. Hence scleroˈscopic a.
Scleroscope is a proprietary term in the U.S.
| 1907 A. F. Shore in Amer. Machinist 14 Nov. 748/1 The instrument was named scleroscope, from the Greek words sclerotus, meaning hardness, and scope, because it is direct reading. 1908 [see Shore n.5]. 1915 [see Brinell]. 1921 Glasgow Herald 23 Sept. 9 The use of the scleroscope on light specimens of metals. 1936 P. F. Foster Mech. Testing of Metals & Alloys viii. 143 A dynamic hardness test is provided by the Shore scleroscope in which a small pointed tup weighing about 0·0052 lb. is allowed to fall freely from a height of 10 in. on to the test piece. 1950 Engineering 31 Mar. 371/2 Scleroscopic hardness values are approximately 85 and 65. 1961 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 29 Aug. tm 149/1 The Shore Instrument & Mfg. Company, Inc.,..N.Y...Scleroscope... For instruments used to test hardness of metals and other substances. 1977 R. B. Ross Handbk. Metal Treatments & Testing 166 The Scleroscope test is of limited use and accuracy but, because of its extreme portability, has certain advantages over other more conventional tests. |