{"id":13700,"date":"2024-12-18T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/?p=13700"},"modified":"2025-03-07T13:57:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T19:57:23","slug":"shore-hardness-scales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/shore-hardness-scales\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Shore Hardness Scales: Shore A, Asker C, & Asker F Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Polyurethanes and rubbers can come in many different types. Each type will have its own unique properties, but one thing that they have in common is how their hardness is measured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common type of measurement for the hardness of urethanes and rubbers is the Shore A scale, which is the hardness measured by using a type-A durometer. A durometer is the instrument used to measure the hardness of a material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This measures the resistance of rubbers or urethanes toward indentation. Hardness of materials softer than urethane and rubber is measured by Asker type C\/E, and even softer than that can be measured by the Asker F scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Shore Hardness Scales?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Shore A hardness scale is a way to measure the hardness of rubbers and polyurethanes. The same type of rubber with a different Shore hardness could have different properties, such as tensile strength, specific gravity, temperature resistance, and elongation. A general guideline is that if the hardness value is higher, the tensile strength will increase and elongation percentage will decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Asker C hardness scale can be used to measure materials softer than standard polyurethanes or rubbers. The hardness is measured using a spring-type hardness tester. This scale is commonly used for softer sponge\/foam materials. The higher the value on the Shore A scale and Asker C scale, the harder the material is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Asker F hardness scale is used when materials are even softer than sponge or foam materials. This is commonly used to measure shock-absorbing gels, with the characteristic of recovering their original shape after compression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> The Shore D scale is commonly used to measure the hardness of plastics, though the resin materials manufactured by MISUMI do not have a Shore D hardness associated with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Using the Scales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Materials have different properties at different hardnesses, so the different hardness scales can be used to determine which is best for the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n