The application of hardness measurement is significant in various fields such as rubber, plastics, and polymers. A digital Shore hardness tester is an accurate instrument used to determine how easily a particular fabricating material can be indented. Regardless of whether you are conducting materials tests on rubber or other elastomers or soft plastics, the correct use of this device is critical in order to get accurate and reproducible results.
In this blog, you will learn proper procedure to use digital shore hardness tester and some basic tips to follow for better precision and precaution while handling this equipment.
What is a Digital Shore Hardness Tester?
The Shore hardness tester is an electronic measuring tool with a spring-loaded pointer to examine material durability. These systems display results digitally through the Shore A or Shore D scale while showing the test sample type. The Shore D scale measures hardness in harder plastic items and the Shore A scale tests softer materials including rubber and elastomers.
MEXTECH builds affordable digital shore hardness tester manufacturers and more precise.
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Digital Shore Hardness Tester
1. Prepare the Sample
- Ensure that you do not come into contact with the sample or the material that you used for rubbing sample thus putting it into contact with dust or moisture.
- The sample should be flat and at least 6mm thick and thickness of the sample itself should not affect the functioning of the tester.
- Depending on how thin the sample is, it might be necessary to combine several of them in order to get the effective impressions.
2. Turn On and Calibrate
- Turn on the digital Shore hardness tester.
- Many systems need to start working or require baseline values. The product includes voice prompts to explain how to use its digital Shore hardness tester devices.
3. Place the Tester Vertically
- Ensure that the device is in a perpendicular angle with the material that you are testing.
- Irradiate the test material under the load by pressing the indenter slowly until it is in contact with the specimen.
- Keep your presses slow and straight to avoid any slight differences while using the tester.
4. Take the Reading
- Hold pressure for a few seconds as the stabilization of the reading lasts about one or two seconds.
- Simply look at the value alongside the unit symbol on the display screen.
- A minimum of five sample points should be taken to get accurate measurements and determine the average value.
5. Record and Reset
- Comply with testing protocols and record your findings in standard procedures.
- If needed, reset the device for the next test.
Tips for More Accurate Measurements
- It is recommended to first test the sample with the meter at a location other than its edges and where it has no seams.
- Temperatures of both the tester and sample should be at room temperature in order to have comparable results.
- Put the tester in a casing and pay attention to how you handle it when it is not in use.
Why Choose a Digital Tester Over Analog?
Digital Shore hardness testers are better than analog instruments in use hence allowing the user more precise measurements. Some digital testers reduce human error levels as they directly display the reading while others may contain additional features via storage and Bluetooth functionalities in additional models.
Final Thoughts
When functioning a Shore hardness tester, particular care solid-shape polymer materials have to be followed for the best results to be obtained. Whereby, each stage of the preparation, calibration as well as measurements are crucial and help to enhance accuracy and credibility of the results obtained. It demonstrates when you need an effective device in your organization particularly for manufacturing, research or evaluating quality assurance you must target manufacturers like MEXTECH.