Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Determination of hardness – Part 4: Indentation hardness by durometer method (Shore hardness)
Material
Our test laboratory performs accredited testing according to DIN ISO 48-4 (replacement for DIN ISO 7619-1:2012-02). The standard describes a standardized method for determining the indentation hardness of vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber using the durometer method. Depending on the material hardness, different scales are applied, in particular Shore A for softer elastomers and Shore D for harder materials.
Shore Hardness Test Procedure
The test is performed using a durometer, where a standardized indenter is pressed perpendicularly onto the surface of the specimen under a defined spring force. Depending on the resistance of the material, the indenter penetrates the surface to a certain depth. The resulting indentation depth is directly converted into a dimensionless Shore hardness value.
The measurement is taken at defined time intervals according to the standard, as elastomeric materials may exhibit time-dependent deformation behaviour. To ensure reproducible results, the testing laboratory strictly controls specimen thickness, conditioning, support conditions, ambient temperature, and proper positioning of the measuring device in accordance with the standard.