Shore A Durometer

Shore Durometer is a device used to measure the hardness of polymers, particularly elastomers, rubbers, silicones, etc. It is used to determine how resistant a material is to indentation, which gives an indication of its durability and flexibility. The “Shore A Durometer” is a device that specifically measures softer polymers, where hardness can vary from very soft to fairly rigid.

The depth of the indentation determines the hardness rating on a scale from 0 to 100:

• 0 Shore A → Extremely soft (like gel shoe insoles).
• 40-50 Shore A → Medium-soft (like car tires).
• 70-80 Shore A → Hard but still flexible (like shoe soles).
• 100 Shore A → Very hard (almost like rigid plastic).

Types of Shore A Durometers:

1 – Shore A Analog Durometers: Features a dial or needle to indicate hardness. HP manufactured by Bareiss is an example of an Analog Durometer.

2 – Shore A Digital Durometers: Display hardness readings on an LCD screen, battery operated, and easier recording of results. HPE III series manufactured by Bareiss is an example of Shore A Digital Durometer.

3 – Automatic Shore A Durometers: High-precision devices designed to measure the hardness of soft materials like rubber, elastomers, silicones, and soft plastics with minimal user influence. These devices ensure consistent force application, repeatability, and accuracy, making them ideal for quality control and laboratory testing. digitest II manufactured by Bareiss is the most versatile, and advanced and is considered an industry standard for Automatic shore A durometers.

Product Features and Benefits

1- HP Shore A analog durometer:

2: HP Shore A digital durometer:

3: digi test II Shore A automatic hardness durometer:

Details on how to use these products:

HP Shore A analog durometer:

1. Firmly hold the HP durometer and press it vertically onto the specimen until the circular presser foot makes full contact. Record the reading after 3 seconds.
2. If the durometer presser foot is not parallel to the specimen during measurement, the test result may be unreliable.

HPE III Shore A digital durometer:

1. Firmly hold the HPE III durometer and press it vertically onto the specimen until the circular presser foot makes full contact. Record the reading after 3 seconds or when it beeps.
2. Bareiss digital durometers are designed in a way that will assist the operator to keep the durometer presser parallel to the specimen during measurement to comply with ASTM D2240.

Shore A automatic hardness durometer:

1. Once all the connections are done, switch on the device & position the sample on the supporting table under the indenter.
2. Press ‘START’ and the device automatically runs the test.
3. After measurement, the device returns to its starting position, displaying the result and data is transmitted simultaneously using software.

Specific Testing Classification

Shore A analog, digital durometer & automatic hardness durometer:

1. Measurement range: 0 to 100 Shore A, suitable for soft to medium-hard materials.
2. Testing application: Rubber (natural & synthetic), Elastomers, Silicones etc.
3. Testing Standards: Compliant as per ASTM D2240 and ISO 7619 for Shore A hardness testing.
4. Testing Industry: Rubber & Polymer Manufacturing, Material Quality Control & Testing, Product Testing, R&D and Material Research etc.

Information about the accredited calibration certificate:

DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle) is the national accreditation body of Germany, responsible for ensuring that laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies meet international standards for testing and calibration. A DAkkS certification means that a laboratory or testing facility has been accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 or other relevant international standards. It verifies that the lab’s measurement and calibration processes are accurate, reliable, and traceable to international standards.

FAQs

1) What is a Shore A Durometer?
Measures the hardness of soft to medium-hard Polymers on a scale from 0 to 100.

2) What materials can be tested with Shore A durometer?
Rubber (natural and Synthetic), elastomers, silicones etc.

3) How does the Shore A durometer work?
A spring-loaded indenter measures the resistance as it penetrates the material, displaying the hardness value.

4) What is the Shore A hardness scale?
Ranges from 0 (soft) to 100 (hard), indicating material resilience.

5) Shore A vs Shore D?
Shore A is for softer Polymers; Shore D is for harder Polymers.

6) Calibration frequency of Shore A durometer?
Annual calibration is recommended when used frequently. DAkkS ISO 17025-accredited calibration is recommended.

7) Can a Shore A reading converted to other scales?
No, it cannot be converted. Correct Shore durometer should be used for precise results.

8) What affects Shore A readings?
Temperature, material thickness, surface texture, and operator influence in manual testing.

9) Can it be used on thin materials?
Thin materials may give inaccurate readings due to deep penetration, Bareiss offers a wide range of solutions to test thin samples.

10) Where to buy Shore A Durometers?
Available at:
Bareiss North America Inc,
155 Mostar Street, Unit 06
Stouffville, ON, L4A0Y2
Canada
Tel: +1-905-235-8412
Email: info@bareiss-testing.com

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