John Deere Standard

APPROVED FOR SUPPLIER

DISTRIBUTION JDQ 11

Paints — Determination of Paint Film Hardness —

Pencil Test

1 Scope

1.1 JDQ 11 defines a method quickly to determine the film hardness of paint. Pencil hardness tests
are especially useful in development work and in production control testing in a single laboratory. The
method described in JDQ 11 is similar to ISO 15184 and ASTM D3363. By incorporating the following
restrictions, either ISO 15184 or ASTM D3363 can be used instead of JDQ 11 with equivalent results.
• Mechanical pencils are required. Wooden pencils are not allowed.
• Only leads manufactured by either Faber-Castell or Sanford Turquoise may be used.

1.2 This standard can contain mandatory provisions, which are identified by the words “shall” or
“required”. Compliance with the mandatory provisions is required to claim conformance with this standard.
This standard can also contain guideline provisions, which are generally identified by the words “should”
or “recommended”. Compliance with the guideline provisions is not required, because they might not be
appropriate for all machines or all applications.

2 Summary of Method

A coated panel is placed on a firm horizontal surface. The pencil is firmly applied against the painted
surface at a 45° angle with the point away from the operator and then pushed in a smooth stroke over the
paint film. The process is started with the pencil with the H hardness rating and continued up or down on
the scale of hardness, depending on the result, until the pencil with the highest hardness rating will not
cut into the film to substrate or primer, if applicable, for a length of 3 mm.

3 Interferences

Results obtained can vary among different laboratories and among operators in a given laboratory. Every
effort should be made to standardize the hardness of leads used and the technique followed. Although
pencil leads from many manufacturers exist, leads from two manufacturers, Faber-Castell and Sanford
Turquoise, are most uniform and are therefore required. Use of these leads should give reproducible
results.

Current edition: Supersedes: First issued:

2013-02-22 2010-06-08 1980-09-30 Design Control: DT Page 1 of 5
John Deere Standards are intended for use by Deere & Company, its divisions and subsidiaries. Suppliers who rely on them in
furnishing products to or for the benefit of the Company must determine that they are in possession of the latest version. Distribution
of the standards to parties other than John Deere Suppliers, whether with or without charge, are for information only and Deere &
Company disclaims all responsibility for results attributable to the application of or compliance with such standards. The Company
makes no representation, express or implied, that conformity ensures compliance with applicable law or other rules or regulations.
Further, those who are in receipt of and elect to use the standards, agree to assume the responsibility for compliance with patents,
as well as potential patent infringement.
Deere & Company Engineering Standards Department, One John Deere Place, Moline, Illinois 61265-8098, U.S.A. Unpublished —
All rights reserved under the copyright laws.
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4 Equipment

4.1 Standard Test Panels

See JDQ 1 for descriptions of test panels. Paint film thickness shall be specified.

4.2 Mechanical Pencils with Drawing Leads

A set of calibrated drawing leads meeting the hardness scale shown in Figure 1. Only leads
manufactured by either Faber-Castell or Sanford Turquoise may be used.

The difference between two adjacent leads shall be considered one unit of hardness.

Figure 1 Pencil Hardness Scale

4.3 Abrasive Paper

Grit 400 or equivalent.

5 Procedure

5.1 Hold the pencil perpendicular to the abrasive paper and rub the lead against the paper until a
smooth, flat, and circular cross section is obtained. Figure 2 shows the proper condition of the lead after
sanding.

The end of the drawing lead has a smooth, flat, and circular cross section.

Figure 2 Condition of Drawing Lead after Sanding

5.2 Place the test panel on a firm, horizontal surface. Start with the lead with the H hardness rating.
Hold the pencil at a 45° angle to the painted surface with the point away from the operator. Push the
pencil forward (away from the operator). Apply sufficient uniform pressure both downward and forward
during the stroke (see Figure 3).

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The pencil and drawing lead form a 45° angle from the test specimen.

Figure 3 Position of Pencil and Drawing Lead during Stroke

5.3 If the stroke gouges through the film to substrate or primer, if applicable, for a length of at least
3 mm, repeat the process with pencils of decreasing hardness until a 3 mm gouge is not achieved. If the
first stroke does not make a 3 mm gouge, repeat the process with pencils of increasing hardness until the
3 mm gouge is made.
Note 1 A 3 mm gouge can be unattainable with high film thickness test specimens. If this problem occurs,
document the lowest pencil hardness that gouges the film to substrate or primer, if applicable, and continue to
clause 5.4.

5.4 Record the hardness rating of the hardest lead that does not gouge into the film for a length of
3 mm. Unless a different agreement has been made between both parties, do not continue past the 3H
lead to attempt the 3 mm gouge and score the pencil hardness >2H.
Note 2 ISO 15184 says that the pencil hardness is the hardest pencil that does not mark the coating, but makes
provision for using the criterion in ASTM D3363, which is the same as in clause 5.4.

6 Report

Report the hardness rating recorded in clause 5.4 and any deviations from the specifications in this
standard.

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7 References

For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.

7.1 Access to John Deere Standards

7.1.1 John Deere Standards can be accessed by John Deere personnel via the Engineering Standards
internal website.

7.1.2 Employees of suppliers with an approved John Deere supplier number can obtain access to John
Deere Standards via the JD Supply Network (JDSN). Access to JDSN is by approved individual name
and password. Suppliers should contact their Supply Management representative with questions about
JDSN.

Note 3 Only John Deere Standards which have been approved for supplier distribution are available via JDSN.

7.2 Access to Standards from External Organizations

7.2.1 Most standards from organizations external to John Deere are available to John Deere personnel
via the Engineering Standards internal website.

7.2.2 Suppliers are responsible for obtaining relevant external standards. In accordance with copyright
laws and Company policy, John Deere personnel shall not provide copies of these standards to suppliers.

7.3 John Deere Standards

JDQ 1 Paints − Evaluation of Materials and Processes − Test Specimens

7.4 ASTM Standards (ASTM International)

ASTM D3363 Test Method for Film Hardness by Pencil Test

7.5 ISO Standards (International Organization for Standardization)

ISO 15184 Paints and varnishes − Determination of film hardness by pencil test

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A
Summary of Changes from Previous Edition
(For Information Only — Not Part of the Standard)

• Add new clause 1.2 according to Engineering Standards policy.

• Add requirement to use mechanical pencils with drawing leads manufactured by either Faber-
Castell or Sanford Turquoise. See clause 1.1, clause 3, and clause 4.2.
• Throughout, editorial revise "cut" to "gouge" to make clear that "gouge hardness" is what is meant
by "pencil hardness" in this standard.
• Add Note 2 to clarify the use of ISO 15184 procedure.