These Digital Shore Durometers are designed for measuring the hardness of rubber, elastomers, and plastics in accordance with internationally recognised standards including ASTM D2240, DIN 53505, ISO 868, and ISO 7619.
The Shore A scale is used for testing softer materials such as rubber, elastomers, and flexible plastics, while the Shore D scale is intended for harder materials including hard rubber, rigid plastics, and thermoplastics.
Both models feature a large LCD display for clear and easy reading of measurement results. Additional functions such as data hold and automatic power-off enhance usability and help improve battery life. The timed hold function allows users to capture and record consistent hardness readings with greater confidence.
Typical Applications
Shore A
- Rubber seals and gaskets
- O-rings
- Silicone products
- Tyres and rubber compounds
- Flexible plastics and elastomers
Shore D
- Rigid plastics
- Thermoplastics
- Hard rubber components
- Nylon and acrylic materials
- Polycarbonate products
Key Features
- Measures hardness according to ASTM D2240, DIN 53505, ISO 868, and ISO 7619
- Available in Shore A and Shore D versions
- Large LCD display for easy reading
- Hold function for timed measurements
- Automatic power-off feature
- Portable and easy-to-use design
- Suitable for laboratory, quality control, and production environments
| Feature | Shore A | Shore D |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Soft rubber and flexible plastics | Hard rubber and rigid plastics |
| Typical Applications | O-rings, seals, gaskets, silicone, tyres | Thermoplastics, nylon, acrylic, PVC, hard polyurethane |
| Hardness Range | Soft to medium-hard materials | Medium-hard to very hard materials |
| Indenter Design | Blunt, rounded indenter | Sharper, pointed indenter |
| Spring Force | Lower force | Higher force |
| Best For | Flexible and elastic materials | Rigid and semi-rigid materials |
When to Use Shore A
Choose a Shore A Durometer when testing:
- Rubber seals and gaskets
- Silicone products
- Elastomers
- Flexible PVC
- Tyres and rubber compounds
- Soft plastics
A Shore A gauge provides better sensitivity and accuracy for softer materials where small differences in hardness are important.
When to Use Shore D
Choose a Shore D Durometer when testing:
- Hard rubber
- Thermoplastics
- Nylon
- Acrylic
- Polycarbonate
- Rigid PVC
- Hard polyurethane
The Shore D scale uses a sharper indenter and higher spring force, making it suitable for materials that are too hard to be accurately measured on the Shore A scale.
Practical Example
- A soft rubber seal might measure 60 Shore A.
- A hard plastic pipe might measure 80 Shore D.
- Very hard rubbers approaching 90-95 Shore A are often tested on the Shore D scale for greater accuracy.
Common Features of Both Models
- Conform to ASTM D2240, DIN 53505, ISO 868, and ISO 7619
- Large LCD display for easy reading
- Hold function for timed measurements
- Automatic power-off function
- Portable and easy-to-use design
In simple terms: use Shore A for soft, flexible materials and Shore D for hard, rigid materials.
Choose S.I. Instruments for precision you can trust, compliance you can rely on, and service that delivers confidence.
