| Durometer...the
measure of the hardness of rubber compounds
The Durometer is the International
Standard Instrument used to measure the hardness of rubber or rubber-like
materials. Durometers measure hardness by the penetration of an indentor
into the rubber sample. The calibrated reading is expressed in a
number value. The hardness values are always expressed in terms of
plus or minus (±) five points (example: 60±5 Durometer).
It is important to note that
when testing hardness of a rubber sample, the material should not be less
than ¼" thick (.250").
| Durometer
Type (Shore) |
Applicable
to these types of materials |
| Type A (Shore) |
Soft rubber & plastics |
| Type D (Shore) |
Hard rubber & plastics |
| Type 00 (Shore) |
Sponge & foam |
Approximate Durometer
Hardness Comparisons
|
Durometer
type
|
Shore
A
|
Shore
D
|
Shore
00
|
|
100
|
58
|
|
| |
95
|
46
|
|
| |
90
|
39
|
|
| |
85
|
33
|
|
| |
80
|
29
|
98
|
| |
75
|
25
|
97
|
| |
70
|
22
|
95
|
| |
65
|
19
|
94
|
| |
60
|
16
|
93
|
| |
55
|
14
|
91
|
|
|
|
Durometer
type
|
Shore
A
|
Shore
D
|
Shore
00
|
|
50
|
12
|
90
|
| |
45
|
10
|
88
|
| |
40
|
8
|
86
|
| |
35
|
7
|
83
|
| |
30
|
6
|
80
|
| |
25
|
|
76
|
| |
20
|
|
70
|
| |
15
|
|
62
|
| |
10
|
|
55
|
| |
5
|
|
45
|
|
| The above values
are approximate and are not to be used as an exact equivalent. |
| This information
is provided as a selection guide only. |
Here are
a few examples of hardness based on Durometer scale:
-
Rubber band: 35 Shore
A
-
Rubber tire: 55 Shore
A
-
Rubber shoe heel: 70 Shore
A
-
Typewriter platen: 95
Shore A
Disclaimer:
The technical data in the
Rubbermill website (www.rubbermill.com) are to be used as a guide only.
RubberMill does not guarantee the accuracy of the information and is not
responsible for its end use. |