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The Shore hardness test is the most important test method for determining the resistance of rubber to penetration.
Rubber is a highly flexible material with versatile properties. To assess the quality, load-bearing capacity and suitability for specific applications, standardised rubber test methods are essential. Particularly in the technical sector – for instance with seals, vibration elements or moulded rubber parts – the right choice of material determines function and service life.
Shore hardness testing is the most important test method for determining rubber's resistance to mechanical penetration and serves as the central quality test for elastomers.
Shore hardness: the central test method for rubber
The Shore hardness test measures how deeply a standardised indenter penetrates the rubber material. The harder the rubber, the lower the penetration depth – and the higher the Shore value. For rubber, almost exclusively the Shore A scale is used, as it was designed specifically for elastic materials with low to medium hardness.
The Shore A hardness of rubber is usually between 20 (very soft) and 90 (very hard). Soft grades are found, for example, in sealing lips, while harder variants are used in technical moulded rubber parts with high compressive load. The test method provides a simple and reproducible way of quantifying the mechanical property of a rubber.
Test procedure according to DIN EN ISO 868
The hardness test is carried out in accordance with the standard and comprises the following steps:
- Prepare the test specimen (at least 6 mm thick, smooth surface)
- Calibrate the test device (use a Shore A durometer)
- Place the indenter vertically
- Read the measured value after 1–3 seconds
To increase measurement accuracy, several measuring points are recorded across the test specimen and averaged. The test should be carried out at a constant room temperature and under defined ambient conditions to ensure comparable hardness values for rubber.
At martangummi.de we carry out these tests according to precise quality standards – both as part of series production and for testing incoming raw materials.
What does Shore hardness tell you about rubber?
Shore hardness alone does not describe the entire mechanical performance of a rubber – however, it is an important reference value for:
- Deformation behaviour under load
- Restoring force under compressive stress
- Compliance with technical specifications
A rubber with 60 Shore A is, for example, well suited to moulded rubber parts with medium load, while 30 Shore A is ideal for soft seals. Choosing the right Shore hardness for rubber parts makes a decisive contribution to functional reliability and service life. It also enables the selection of the right material at the design stage.
Further rubber test methods at a glance
In addition to Shore hardness testing, the following methods are also frequently used in rubber engineering to obtain a complete picture of the material properties:
- Tensile strength and elongation at break according to ISO 37 for determining material load-bearing capacity
- Rebound resilience for assessing dynamic recovery
- Compression set for evaluating permanent deformation
- Abrasion resistance for assessing wear under frictional contact
- Ageing resistance under the influence of heat, ozone or UV
Together with Shore hardness, these supplementary rubber test methods provide a comprehensive profile for elastomers in technical applications.
Application in practice
In the quality assurance of moulded rubber parts, the Shore hardness test is a firmly established standard. It helps to compare material batches, detect deviations at an early stage and reliably verify specific requirements – for instance according to drawings or technical specifications. Even with customer-specific requirements, for example for special seals, Shore hardness is an indispensable test criterion.
At martangummi.de we use Shore A tests regularly for release testing, incoming goods inspection and production monitoring. Our modern, well-equipped test stations enable fast and precise execution – documented according to DIN EN ISO 868.
Shore hardness testing for rubber
The Shore hardness test for rubber is a central method for assessing the strength and elasticity of elastomers. It provides fast, reproducible and standard-compliant measurement results and is particularly important in the industrial application of rubber components.
Combined with supplementary mechanical tests, a complete picture of performance is obtained. Anyone wishing to process or specify reliable rubber parts should rely on documented test values and established standards – which is exactly what martangummi.de offers with many years of experience and practical advice.
Our rubber sheets
For industry and trade we offer a wide range of rubber sheets.
SBR rubber sheet
Our high-quality SBR rubber sheet (styrene-butadiene rubber) is the solution for numerous industrial and commercial applications. This rubber sheet is manufactured from first-class styrene-butadiene rubber and stands out thanks to its excellent physical properties.
EPDM rubber sheet
Discover the versatility and reliability of our EPDM rubber sheet, which is made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). This high-quality elastomer solution has been specially developed to meet the most demanding industrial and commercial applications.
NBR rubber sheet
The NBR rubber sheet is a high-quality industrial product that has been specially developed for applications requiring excellent resistance to oils, greases and various chemicals.
Viton rubber sheet
The Viton rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product used for a wide range of industrial applications. Made from fluoro rubber (FKM), it offers outstanding properties that make it the ideal choice for extreme conditions.
FKM rubber sheet
The FKM rubber sheet is a high-quality technical product that is ideal for use in demanding industrial applications. Made from fluoro rubber (FKM), it stands out thanks to a wide range of outstanding properties that make it the optimum choice for extreme operating conditions.
Silicone rubber sheet
The silicone rubber sheet is a first-class technical product that has been specially developed for applications placing high demands on temperature resistance and flexibility.
PUR rubber sheet
The PUR rubber sheet, made from high-quality polyurethane, is a technically advanced product developed for applications placing the highest demands on abrasion resistance and mechanical load-bearing capacity.
Neoprene rubber sheet
The neoprene rubber sheet, manufactured from high-quality chloroprene rubber (CR), is a versatile technical product that is ideal for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.
