TEST METHOD

D45 1291 / - - F

RUBBERS AND PLASTICS

SHORE HARDNESS A OR D

Renault Automobile Standardisation

DPMI / Department 67250
Section Normes et Cahiers des Charges
RENAULT D45 1291 / - - F

This document is to be considered as a whole, the parts of which shall not be separated.
"The French text alone is valid. The translations are provided to assist the reader in understanding the
Standards".
© RENAULT 2012.
No duplication permitted without the consent of the issuing department.
No circulation permitted without the consent of RENAULT...

FIRST ISSUE

September 1970 ---

MODIFICATION

May 1978 --A

March 1993 --B Complete revision
change in numbering, add index D45 to the last number
This issue originates from draft B 92 301/---.
April 2006 --C Confirm the validity of this document till date.
This issue originates from draft NC 2006 0211 /---
November 2007 --D Complete revision
This issue originates from draft NC 2007 0847 / - - -.
April 2012 --E Drafting changes.
This issue originates from draft NC 2012 0234 / - - -.
September 2012 --F Foreword deleted; loss of commonality with PSA Peugeot-Citroën group.
This issue originates from draft NC 2012 0549 / - - - .

REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

External documents : NF ISO 19898 ; NF ISO19899.

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RENAULT D45 1291 / - - F

1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION

The purpose of this method is to describe the procedure of Shore hardness measurement
using a durometer.
This method is applicable to vulcanized rubber, to thermoplastic rubber and to flexible or stiff
plastics.
The measurements are given for information only in the following cases:
- measurement on part
- use of a portable manual durometer

2. PRINCIPLE

The test consists of measuring the indentation of a standard point into the specimen under specified
conditions.

Note: the Shore hardness is inversely proportional to the indentation of the point and depends on
the elastic module and the visco-elastic behavior of the material.

3. EQUIPMENT

Note: It reminds that all measuring equipment have to be complied to NF ISO 18899 standards
specifications.

3.1. SHORE A OR SHORE D DUROMETER

Note: the Shore A and Shore D durometer must comply to the specifications of the NF ISO 18898
standards.

Two types of durometers can be used:

3.1.1. DUROMETER MOUNTED ON A TEST SUPPORT

• The Shore A durometer is mounted with an integrated mass of 1 kg.

• The Shore D durometer is mounted with an integrated mass of 5 kg.

3.1.2. PORTABLE MANUAL DUROMETER

3.2. CHRONOMETER with a precision of one second.

3.3. CONDITIONED ROOM at 23 °C ± 2°C

3.4. CLIMATIC CHAMBER OR CONDITIONED ROOM at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50% ± 5 % of

relative humidity, used for the hydrophilic materials

4. PREPARING SPECIMENS

The specimens must have a:

- Thickness more or less equal to 6mm (this thickness can be obtained by stacking 2, 3 or
4 components),

- Flat surface on which a disc of more or less 12mm of diameter can be placed.

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RENAULT D45 1291 / - - F

If the requirements cannot be respected, the measurements are given for information only.

The specimens should be placed :

- In the room (3.3) for at least 2 hours, for materials not liable to absorb humidity.

- In the chamber or the room (3.4) for at least 16 hours, for hydrophilic materials, such as
polyamides.

5. OPERATING PROCEDURE

The tests are performed in the room (3.3) immediately after specimens conditioning.

5.1. CASE OF THE DUROMETER (3.1.1)

- Place the specimen on the flat surface of the test support.

- Put the specimen in contact with the hardness-meter so that the axis of the indenter of
the hardness-meter is orthogonal to the surface of the specimen
- Apply the force as quickly as possible but without impact.

5.2. CASE OF THE DUROMETER (3.1.2)

- Place the specimen preferably on the rigid horizontal surface.

- Keep the hardness-meter above the specimen, the indenter being in vertical position
and directed towards the bottom.
- Press firmly the foot of the hardness-meter on the specimen, as quickly as possible but
without impact

5.3. IN BOTH CASES

- Take the measurement at least 6 mm from the edge of the specimen.

- Read the hardness value at the end of the specified term in the reference documents.
For the instant value, note the maximum division reached by the pointer or the value
read after 1s of contact in case there is no indicator.

Note: In case of Renault tests, an instant measurement is required for vulcanized rubber
and a measurement at 15 seconds is required for plastic and thermoplastic
rubber.
- Take at least 5 readings either on different specimens or on the same specimen, if the
size allows to do it, ensuring that the measurements are separate from at least 6mm
one another.

6. EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

The hardness of Shore A or Shore D (expressed in points) is the average of the reading obtained.
The hardness can be read as follows: X Shore Y Zs or Shore Y Zs: X

In which:
- X is the reading to the nearest decimal point
- Y is the type of hardness Shore (A or D) measured.
- Z is the time between the application of the weight and the reading of the value (in second).
Example of rating a measured value at 65 points with durometer Shore A after 30 seconds of applications of
the force:
hardness: 65 Shore A 30 s, or hardness Shore A 30s: 65

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7. RELIABILITY

Till now no inter-laboratory information is available to establish the margin of error of the readings.
Once the inter-laboratory information is available, a declaration of loyalty would be added during the
next revision.

8. TEST REPORTS
In addition to the results obtained, the test report must include:
- the reference of the present method,
- the identification of the tester and the test facilities used.
- the date of executing the test
- the type of durometer, A or D, portable manual or fixed on a support,
- the time between the application of force and the reading of the measurements (in seconds)
- the constitution of the specimen (solid or obtained by piling)
- the references of the material tested.
- the operating details not specified in the method as well as any possible incidents that could have
affected the results.

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