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.

Type M Durometer with operating standThe 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.