_ Shore hardness is the measure of a particular material’s resistance to penetration or indentation. Basically, it tells you how hard a material is and how much force it can take.
_ The Shore hardness scale was invented by Albert Ferdinand Shore in around 1920 and has been used ever since.
_ Shore hardness is tested using a durometer, which is a needle-like instrument that measures the depth of an indentation in the seal created by a standard amount of force. Similar in looks to a tire-pressure gauge with a protruding needle, it is placed against the material before pressure is applied.
_ Shore 00 Hardness Scale measures materials such as foams, gels, sponges and very soft rubber.
_ Shore 0 Hardness Scale measures soft to medium rubbers and also soft plastics
_ Shore A Hardness Scale measures the hardness of mold rubbers. These are softer and more flexible materials in general, but the scale gives an indication of whether they are extremely soft or if they are more rigid. In addition to soft rubbers, semi-rigid plastics can also be tested on the Shore A scale, but at the higher level.
_ Shore B Hardness Scale measures mid range rubbers and plastics, this can be a good choice to measure if you deal with a variety of materials.
_ Shore C Hardness Scale measures medium medium rubbers up to hard plastics.
_ Shore D Hardness Scale measures hard rubbers, semi-rigid plastics and hard plastics. Generally, the rubbers are on the low end of the scale, while the hardest plastics receive the highest Shore D ratings.