SHORE Hardness Testing Method
SHORE Hardness Testing Method
The SHORE hardness testing method was developed in the 1920s, when Albert F. Shore invented a measuring instrument called the durometer. Shore hardness measures a material’s hardness under elastic conditions. It is commonly used to test plastics such as polymers and rubber.
Test Method
Shore hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance to indentation by an indenter. A higher reading indicates greater resistance.
Today, SHORE A and SHORE D are commonly used to measure the hardness of plastics and rubber.
- SHORE A: for soft rubber, plastics, elastomers, and similar materials
- SHORE D: for hard rubber, heat-resistant plastics, hard plastics, and bowling balls
SHORE hardness testers apply a load through a spring. The hardness value is determined by how far the indenter penetrates the test specimen. If it penetrates fully, the reading is 0; if it does not penetrate, the maximum reading is 100. This value is dimensionless.
The following table helps select SHORE test methods for different materials, indenter types, and applied test forces:
Hardness testers can measure all of the following scales:
- Shore A for flexible plastic - rubbers - medical parts - O.Rings (Code078.A1.010)
- Shore B as A scale but for High values (Code 078.A1.020)
- Shore C as A scale but for low values (Code 078.A1.030)
- Shore D for very hard materials, Ceramic and composites, Plexiglass. Nylon...
- over 80 Shore A - (Code 078.A1.040)
- Shore O for soft and not homogeneous material spoon as B (Code 078.A1.050)
- Shore OO for very soft material silicon – Spoon (Code 078.A1.060)
- Shore Micro for thin material medical and O.R.small sizes (Code 078.A1.070)
- Shore E ASTM D 2240 - 02 a (Code 3013)
- Shore M ASTM D 2240 - 02 a (Code 3014)
- Shore 000 ASTM D 2240 - 02 a (Code 3015)
- Shore 000-S ASTM D 2240 - 02 a (Code 3016)
High accuracy
A full range of accessories and stands helps make measurements more accurate and stable.
Featured SHORE hardness testers
AFFRI hardness testers - Italy
This handheld tester measures the hardness of plastic and rubber and displays readings digitally. Each indenter represents a specific test; for example, the Shore A indenter is used for the HS-A test.
