The digital Shore hardness testers are portable instruments used to measure the hardness of rubber, elastomers, soft PVC, plastics, fibreglass and similar materials. Measurement is performed by pressing an indenter onto the sample surface to assess the material’s resistance to penetration.
Compared with analog Shore hardness testers, digital models provide a more immediate display reading and useful functions for managing test results. In addition to the measured value, the instrument can display the maximum value and calculate the average value from multiple measurements, supporting repeated checks and comparative evaluations between samples or different batches.
The range includes two main versions: SA6510A Shore A and SA6510D Shore D. Model selection depends on the material to be tested and the expected hardness of the sample.
The digital Shore A hardness tester is suitable for softer or more elastic materials, such as rubber, neoprene, soft PVC, elastomers, leather and flexible materials compatible with this scale. It is a suitable choice for checks on seals, technical rubber items, elastomeric components and deformable parts.
The digital Shore D hardness tester is intended for harder materials, such as rigid plastics, plexiglass, Formica, plastic fibres, polyethylene and fibreglass. When a material is too hard to be assessed correctly on the Shore A scale, Shore D is generally more suitable because it uses an indenter designed for materials with greater resistance to penetration.
The value displayed on the screen makes reading easier and reduces the risk of interpretation compared with an analog dial. This feature is particularly useful when frequent checks are carried out in production, incoming inspection or quality-control laboratories.
The maximum value function retains the peak detected during the test. The average value function calculates the mean of multiple measurements, helping the operator when the material surface is not perfectly uniform or when a more representative result is required.
The data output allows connection to optional software for collecting measurements, improving traceability and reducing transcription errors in quality-control processes. Data are transferred in real time while the instrument is connected to the PC through the dedicated cable and software.
To obtain comparable results, it is important to maintain consistent test conditions. The sample must have a suitable, stable and sufficiently flat surface, with thickness appropriate for the scale used. Correct instrument positioning, avoiding areas already marked by previous tests and maintaining adequate distance from sample edges are also important.
Optional Shore A/D hardness test blocks can be used for periodic internal checks of instrument response. They are useful for verifying reading consistency before measurements or during recurring inspections, without replacing calibration when metrological documentation is required.
When a simpler instrument with dial reading and direct use is preferred, the choice can be directed towards the SA6410 analog Shore hardness testers. For more advanced applications, where digital measurement is combined with more complete data management through software, SA6610 multifunction digital Shore hardness testers are available.
Digital Shore hardness testers are suitable for rapid checks on elastic and plastic materials, comparative tests between samples, production-batch verification and incoming quality control. The ability to manage maximum value, average value and data output makes them suitable when testing needs to be organised more effectively than with analog reading alone.
A calibration report is available on request, providing useful documentation for internal control management and periodic verification of the hardness tester.
Applications
- Shore hardness measurement on rubber and elastomers
- Tests with a digital Shore A hardness tester
- Tests with a digital Shore D hardness tester
- Shore hardness measurement on seals
- Checks on neoprene, standard rubber and elastomeric materials
- Tests on soft PVC and flexible materials
- Checks on leather and similar materials
- Measurements on rigid plastics compatible with Shore D
- Checks on plexiglass, Formica and polyethylene
- Verification of fibreglass and compatible rigid materials
- Quality control in rubber production
- Quality control in plastics production
- Comparative checks on samples and production batches
- Rapid measurements during incoming inspection
- Average-value calculation from multiple measurements
- Maximum-value detection during testing
- Real-time data transfer through optional software
FAQ – Digital Shore hardness testers
What are digital Shore hardness testers?
They are portable instruments used to measure the Shore hardness of rubber, elastomers, plastics, fibreglass and similar materials through an indenter pressed onto the sample surface.
How does a digital Shore hardness tester work?
The indenter penetrates the material and the instrument displays the Shore value corresponding to the sample’s resistance to penetration.
What is the difference between an analog and a digital Shore hardness tester?
An analog Shore hardness tester uses a pointer dial, while the digital model displays the value on a screen and provides functions such as maximum value, average value and data output.
What is the difference between Shore A and Shore D?
Shore A is suitable for softer or more elastic materials, such as rubber, neoprene, soft PVC and elastomers. Shore D is more suitable for harder materials, including rigid plastics, plexiglass, Formica, polyethylene and fibreglass.
When should a digital Shore A hardness tester be selected?
It is suitable for checks on rubber, elastomers, soft PVC, neoprene, leather, seals and flexible materials compatible with this scale.
When should a digital Shore D hardness tester be selected?
It is suitable for rigid plastics, plexiglass, Formica, polyethylene, fibreglass and materials with greater resistance to penetration.
Is a digital Shore hardness tester suitable for rubber?
Yes. Shore A is normally used for rubber, elastomers and deformable materials, selecting the model that best suits the required test.
Is a digital Shore hardness tester suitable for plastics?
Yes. Softer plastics can be tested on the Shore A scale, while rigid plastics and harder materials are generally tested on Shore D.
Can a Shore D hardness tester be used on fibreglass?
Yes, when the fibreglass characteristics are compatible with Shore D testing and the surface allows correct instrument positioning.
What is the maximum-value function used for?
The maximum-value function keeps the peak detected during measurement available, making it easier to read the result when the value changes while the instrument is applied.
What is the average-value calculation used for?
The average value provides a more representative result when multiple measurements are taken on the same sample or on different areas of the same material.
Can the SA6510 transfer data to a PC?
Yes. With optional cable and software, the instrument can transfer data to a PC in real time while connected during the test.
Is the software included as standard?
No. The cable and software are optional accessories.
What are optional Shore A/D hardness test blocks used for?
They are used to periodically check reading consistency. They are useful for rapid internal verification before measurements or during recurring inspections.
Do Shore test blocks replace calibration?
No. Test blocks are useful for internal checks of instrument response, but they do not replace a calibration report when metrological documentation is required.
Does the sample need to have a minimum thickness?
The sample must have thickness suitable for the selected scale and remain stable during measurement. When one sample is not thick enough, multiple samples made from the same material can be stacked to reach the required thickness, provided that the assembly remains stable and representative of the test.
Does the sample surface need to be flat?
Yes. A flat, stable and clean surface facilitates correct instrument contact and makes measurements more comparable.
Why should previously measured points be avoided?
Each test can leave a small surface mark. Subsequent measurements should therefore be taken in different areas, keeping sufficient distance between test points.
When should the SA6510 be selected instead of the analog SA6410?
The SA6510 is suitable when digital reading, average-value calculation, maximum-value display and the possibility of transferring data to a PC are required.
When should SA6610 multifunction digital Shore hardness testers be considered?
SA6610 multifunction digital Shore hardness testers are suitable when more advanced measurement-management functions and a more complete configuration for repeated checks and software-based data collection are required.
Is a calibration report available?
Yes, a calibration report is available on request.
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