The instrument automatically measures the resistance a material provides to being pierced by a specifically shaped test body. A needle-shaped or conical test body is lowered precisely to thesample surface, and then sinks into the material by its own weight during a defined period of time. This penetration, which is indicated inpenetration units of 0.1 mm or directly in millimeters, allows a rating of the plasticity or consistency.
Possible uses for the PNR 12 include consistency tests of lard and butter, or to examine the conditions of freshness or aging of food and fruits. Anton Paar offers a range of test kits for different products and standards, and for or manual and automatic surface detection.