Abstract: An apparatus and a method allows a determination of the degree of hardness of semisolid materials with a higher accuracy and a simultaneously lower sensitivity with respect to electronic and mechanical disruptions. An adjusted force value (FBer) is determined prior or during a downward movement of a force/path sensor (20) and the force difference (?F32??F51) is determined between the adjusted force value (FBer) and respective measured force value (?F32??F51) and a zero time (t41) is determined, wherein the position (21, s41) of the measuring body (5, 8) at the zero time (t41) is used as the exact starting position (21, s41) of the surface of the material to be measured (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining the degree of hardness of semisolid materials, in particular the present invention relates to a penetrometer for the measurement of the degree of hardness of road surfaces such as asphalt or for the measurement of the degree of hardness of lubricants. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method that allow a determination of the degree of hardness of semisolid materials with a higher accuracy and a simultaneously lower sensitivity with respect to electronic and mechanical disruptions in comparison to the prior art.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for the automated testing of the flash point and can be used for determining the flash point of flammable liquids. In particular, the inventive method makes is possible to automate the phase of preparing and changing the samples. The apparatus described is characterized in that the whole of the test equipment (1) consists of a stationary simultaneous function head (2) and a mobile test insert (3), which can be separated completely from the simultaneous function head (2), the test insert (3), pre-installed, having the temperature sensor (4) and the flash point indicator (5) and contacting elements (6) for producing the electrical connection to the temperature sensor (4) and to the flash point indicator (5) and at least one coupling element (10) for producing the mechanical connection between a stirrer driving mechanism (7) and the stirrer (8) being disposed at the simultaneous function head (2).