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.