Durometer Hardness Testing
Durometer testing is used to determine the hardness of thermoplastic elastomers, vulcanized rubber, elastomeric materials, cellular materials, gel-like materials, and other plastics that are unsuitable for measurement by conventional Rockwell or microindentation hardness testing.
The durometer apparatus measures the deflection of a calibrated spring as an indenter is pressed into the sample either manually (by hand) or using an operating stand. The indenter protrudes from an orifice in a presser foot, which ensures consistent and repeatable contact between the durometer apparatus and the sample surface.
MEE offers testing for a wide range of materials by using two of the most common durometer types, A and D, as well as the type M micro-hardness durometer. Specimens as thin as 1.25 mm can be reliably measured using the type M durometer.
Typical Applications
- Material process control
- Simulated aging evaluation
- Failure analysis
- Verification of specified properties
Contact us to discuss which evaluation method is best suited to solve your materials-related problems. Or visit our Handbook of Analytical Methods for Materials (HAMM) for more in-depth explanations and typical applications of the analytical methods used for the characterization and evaluation of materials and products.
Visit the HAMM for more information
The Handbook of Analytical Methods for Materials (HAMM) is a brief tutorial on techniques for materials characterization. The HAMM is intended to provide our visitors with enough information on a technique to determine whether it has the potential to help solve a materials problem.