Shore hardness is a measure of the resistance of a material to indentation, which helps to classify the hardness of elastomers and plastics. The Shore hardness scale includes several scales, with Shore A, Shore C, and Shore D being commonly used for different types of materials.
Below is a comparison table illustrating the approximate equivalences between these scales:
| Shore A Hardness | Shore C Hardness | Shore D Hardness | Material Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | – | – | Soft rubber foam |
| 20 | – | – | EPDM rubber foam |
| 30 | 20 | – | Soft rubber, silicone |
| 40 | 25 | – | Soft neoprene, rubber band |
| 50 | 35 | – | EPDM rubber |
| 60 | 45 | 10 | Soft polyurethane |
| 70 | 55 | 20 | Car tire treads |
| 80 | 65 | 30 | Hard rubber |
| 90 | 75 | 40 | Skateboard wheels |
| 95 | 85 | 45 | Hard polyurethane |
| – | – | 50 | Hard rubber shoe soles |
| – | – | 60 | Thermoplastic elastomers |
| – | – | 70 | Polyethylene |
| – | – | 80 | Nylon |
| – | – | 90 | Polystyrene |
| – | – | 95 | Polycarbonate |
Explanation of the Scales:
- Shore A: Used for softer elastomers like rubber and softer plastics. Commonly used for rubber bands, seals, and soft rollers.
- Shore C: Used for medium hardness materials. Less commonly used compared to Shore A and D but useful for some specific materials.
- Shore D: Used for harder materials, including harder plastics and rubbers. Commonly used for hard hats, rigid plastic parts, and harder elastomers
Notes:
- The values in the table are approximate and provide a general guide for comparing different Shore hardness scales.
- Different materials with the same Shore hardness can feel different due to other factors like elasticity, tensile strength, and the material’s molecular structure.
- When selecting materials, it’s crucial to consider the specific requirements of the application, as the hardness alone does not fully describe a material’s performance characteristics.
Reference Reading:
How to measure the hardness: shore A,B,C,D?
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When to use HNBR and Low Temperature HNBR(LT HNBR)?
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