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Shore Hardness

The Shore Hardness Scale

The Shore hardness scale is a method of measuring < strong>resistance to indentation of elastomeric materials, plastics and other polymers. It is a fundamental tool to evaluate the flexibility, rigidity and durability of these materials in different applications.

Working principle:

The measurement is carried out using a Shore durometer, which It consists of a device with a steel or plastic indenter. The indenter is pressed against the surface of the material under a specific force. The depth of penetration of the indenter is what It is called Shore hardness.

Types of Shore scales:

There are different Shore scales, each with a specific measurement range for different types of materials:< /p>

    • Shore A: Used for soft materials like elastomers , silicone, TPU and some types of plastic.
    • Shore D: Used for more rigid materials such as hard plastics, nylon, polypropylene and some types of rubber.
    • Shore B: Used for intermediate materials between scale A and D, such as natural rubber, neoprene and EPDM.
    • Shore 00: Used for very soft materials like gels.
    • Shore E: Used for low density foam and soft materials.

Overlapping and conversions:

It is important to note that Shore scales are not absolute and can overlap. For example,< span> a material with a Shore hardness of 95A may have one similar to a Shore 45D material. The relationship between scales is not direct, so the conversions may vary depending on the source consulted.

Factors that influence Shore hardness:

    • Type of material: The chemical composition and molecular structure of the material influence its hardness.
    • Temperature: Shore hardness can vary with temperature. In general, hardness decreases as temperature increases.
    • Measurement time: The depth of indenter penetration may increase over time, which affects the hardness measurement.

Applications of the Shore hardness scale:

The Shore hardness scale is used in a wide variety of applications, including:

    • Quality control: To verify that materials meet the required specifications.
    • Material selection: To choose the right material for a specific application.
    • Product design: To determine the strength and durability of a product.
    • Research and development: To evaluate the properties of new materials.

Impact on 3D printing:

Shore hardness determines the flexibility of the printed part. Choosing filament with the right hardness is crucial to the success of the print and the functionality of the final piece.

Shore Hardness: Comparative table with examples

Shore Hardness Range Examples
Shore A 0-100 85A: Shoe soles, heels, leather straps
90A: O-rings, hoses, polyurethane rollers
95A: Bicycle tires, mobile phone cases, bumpers
100A: Rigid plastics, acrylics, polycarbonate
Shore D 0-100 60D: Nylon, polypropylene, ABS
70D: Polyester, acetate, polycarbonate
80A: Delrin, Teflon, UHMWPE
Shore B 15-95 25B: Natural rubber, EPDM, silicone
40B: Neoprene, nitrile, SBR
60B: Butyl rubber, Viton, Hypalon
Shore E 0-100 Polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, EPDM
Shore 00 0-85 Gels, soft silicones, elastomers

The Shore hardness scale is a useful method for measuring < strong>indentation resistance of various rubbers and plastics. However, It is important to note that the resilience of these materials can affect the indentation reading over time.

Effect of resilience on measurement:

Due to resilience, materials can partially recover after indentation. This means that the depth of the indentation may decrease slightly over time, which may affect the Shore hardness reading.

Indentation time indication:

To take this effect into account, the indentation time is sometimes indicated. strong> along with the hardness number. This allows for a more accurate comparison of hardness between different materials and different measurement conditions.

Limitations of the Shore hardness test:

It is important to remember that the Shore hardness test only measures resistance to indentation. Does not provide information on other important properties, such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance or wear resistance.

Use of Shore hardness information:

Shore hardness specifications can be useful for comparing similar materials and for control quality during production. However, they should not be trusted strong> as the only factor in determining the suitability of a material for a specific application.

The Shore hardness test is a useful tool to evaluate the indentation resistance of rubbers and plastics. However, it is important to take into account the limitations of the test and use the information from Shore hardness in conjunction with other properties relevant to the final application.

At 3DFils, we are committed to offering you the exact hardness you need for your projects. For this reason, we have developed a wide range of filaments with different Shore hardnesses. You can see all our flexible filaments here .

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