International Standards Micro IRHD Hardness:
ASTM D 1415 - DIN ISO 48-2 - ISO 48-1 - ISO 48-2 - JIS K 6253-1 - JIS K 6253-2 - VDA 675 101 - a.o.
For the measurement of Micro IRHD hardness, 5 modular digital measuring systems for fully automatic hardness testing are available in our laboratory. The method is suitable for measuring small and thin specimens from 1 mm thickness. A laser-controlled positioning device with optical and automatic centering additionally enables precise measurement on curved surfaces, such as O-rings of various diameters and cord thicknesses.
The IRHD (International Rubber Hardness Degree) hardness test is a test method for determining the ball indentation hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers. A ball is pressed onto the specimen surface with a defined force. The penetration depth of the ball is measured, and the degree of hardness is calculated accordingly. IRHD hardness testing is divided into different methods, each of which differs in the diameter of the penetrating ball and the penetration force.
Method M (micro hardness testing) is the method with the smallest ball and the lowest force and is therefore particularly suitable for thin and small specimens. It is often used in O-ring testing and finished part testing in general.
Due to various surface effects in the elastomer and a possible slight roughness of the surface (e.g. caused by grinding), the Micro hardness test (Method M) can lead to deviating results compared to the Standard test (Method N). Surface changes, caused e.g. by chemical aging, can also be responsible for different results depending on the method used.
International Standards Normal IRHD Hardness:
ASTM D 1415 - DIN ISO 48-2 - ISO 48-1 - ISO 48-2 - JIS K 6253-1 - JIS K 6253-2 - VDA 675 101 - a.o.
For the measurement of the normal IRHD hardness N, 5 modular digital measuring systems for fully automatic hardness testing are available in our laboratory. The method is suitable for measuring elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in the normal hardness range from 35 IRHD to 85 IRHD.
The IRHD (International Rubber Hardness Degree) hardness test is a test method for determining the ball indentation hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers. A ball is pressed onto the specimen surface with a defined force. The penetration depth of the ball is measured, and the degree of hardness is calculated accordingly. The IRHD hardness test is divided into different methods, each of which differs in the diameter of the penetrating ball and the penetration force.
Measured values determined with Method N (normal test) show a good comparability to the measured values determined with the durometer method Shore A.
Standard Micro Shore A:
TD00002001 (Bareiss)
Micro Shore A hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of thin test specimens made of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in the range of normal hardness. The measuring time is 1 sec, 3 sec, or 15 sec, depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is performed at room temperature, ideally on a flat, smooth material surface. Micro Shore A hardness is an important parameter for comparative measurements on finished parts made of elastomers and TPEs and helps in material selection for a wide variety of applications.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer, TPEs
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (Micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
Standard Micro Shore D:
TD00002002 (Bareiss)
Micro Shore D hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of thin test specimens made of elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers and soft plastics in the high hardness range. The measuring time is 1 sec, 3 sec, or 15 sec, depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is performed at room temperature, ideally on a flat, smooth material surface. Micro Shore D hardness is an important parameter for comparative measurements on finished parts made of elastomers and TPEs and helps in material selection for a wide variety of applications.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer, TPEs
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (Micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
The Shore A nano hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in the entire Shore A hardness measurement range from -5 to +100 Shore A. The method is based on the miniaturization of the measuring needle defined in the ISO 48-4 standard by a factor of 10. Due to the innovative surface detection, the measurements are independent of the geometry of the specimen. Compared to the standardized durometer penetration method, the Shore A nano does not require a flat measuring surface and a significantly smaller specimen thickness for precise measurement. Wall or coating thicknesses of 0.05 mm are sufficient for comparative measurements here. This makes it possible to measure very small specimens, right down to granules, without any problems.
The integrated optical crosshairs enable precise positioning even with complex finished part geometries.
The method is suitable for precise and reproducible Shore hardness measurement on finished parts of small wall thickness and / or complex geometry.
The measurements performed with the Shore A nano are comparable to standardized Shore A measurements according to DIN, ISO, ASTM and JIS standards.
Shore A0 hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers of low hardness and cellular rubber in the scale range < 20 Shore A (range of low hardness and cellular rubber). The measuring time is 1sec., 3sec, or 15sec. depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is performed at room temperature, ideally on a flat, smooth material surface. Shore A0 hardness is an important parameter for comparative measurements of elastomers and TPEs of low hardness and cellular rubber and helps in material selection for various applications.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer, TPEs
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
International Standards Shore A Hardness:
ASTM D 2240 - DIN ISO 48-4 - DIN ISO 7619-1 (withdrawn) - ISO 48-4 - JIS K 6253-3 - VDA 671 002 - a.o.
Shore A hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in the scale range 20 to 90 (normal hardness range). The measuring time is 1sec., 3sec. or 15sec. depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is ideally performed on a flat, smooth material surface. The Shore A hardness is an important parameter for the characterization of elastomers and TPEs and helps in the selection of materials for various applications.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer or TPE
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
Shore A hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers in the scale range 20 to 90 (normal hardness range). The measuring time is 1sec., 3sec. or 15sec. depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is performed on a flat, smooth material surface. Our cold chamber allows us also to measure at temperatures below RT, down to -40°C. Shore A hardness at low temperatures is suitable for comparative testing, quality control, specification compliance verification, reference purposes, and research and development.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer or TPEs
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
International Standards Shore D Hardness:
ASTM D 2240 - DIN ISO 48-4 - DIN ISO 7619-1 (withdrawn) - ISO 48-4 - JIS K 6253-3 - VDA 671 002 - a.o.
Shore D hardness measurement is a method for determining the hardness of elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers and soft plastics in the scale range > 20 Shore D (range of high hardness). The measuring time is 1sec., 3sec. or 15sec. depending on the specification and or material. The measurement is performed at room temperature, ideally on a flat, smooth material surface. The Shore D hardness is an important parameter for the characterization of elastomers, TPEs and soft plastics and helps in material selection for various applications.
When determining the indentation hardness by the durometer method (Shore hardness), a spring-loaded indenter with standardized geometry is pressed into the material for a defined measuring time and the indentation depth is measured. The scale for Shore hardness in general ranges from 0 (very soft) to 100 (very hard). The hardness is determined by the reaction of the elastomer to the generated indentation. The reaction is complex and depends on the following factors:
- Young's modulus of the elastomer, TPEs
- Viscoelastic properties of the elastomer or TPEs
- Thickness of the specimen
- Geometry of the indenter
- Spring force
- Speed of the pressure increase
- Time span after which the hardness is distinguished (measuring time)
Due to these influencing variables, a direct comparison of durometer hardnesses (Shore A, Shore D, etc.) with IRHD hardnesses (micro IRHD, IRHD N, etc.) is not meaningful.
