ISO 48-2-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 48-2:2018 — Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of hardness — Part 2: Hardness between 10 IRHD and 100 IRHD. This part of ISO 48 specifies standard and apparent methods for measuring international rubber hardness degrees (IRHD) on flat and curved surfaces, covering the range 10 IRHD to 100 IRHD.

Abstract

Specifies four standard test methods (N, H, L and M) and four corresponding apparent-hardness methods (CN, CH, CL and CM) that differ by indenting ball diameter and indenting force; these methods cover normal, high, low and microtest conditions and are intended for vulcanized or thermoplastic rubbers with hardness from 10 IRHD to 100 IRHD. The document notes limitations where microtests or method transitions can produce small differences and excludes pocket hardness meters (see ISO 48-5).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: August 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.060 (Rubber and rubber products).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 23 (official ISO listing; some national/adopted versions may show variant page counts for local publications).

Scope

Defines procedures for determining the hardness (expressed in IRHD) of vulcanized or thermoplastic rubbers on flat surfaces and for determining apparent hardness on curved surfaces, across the range 10 IRHD to 100 IRHD. It gives method applicability ranges (e.g., N for normal hardness, H for high hardness, L for low hardness, M for microtests) and guidance on when to use apparent-hardness variants for curved or small test pieces.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and expression of hardness in international rubber hardness degrees (IRHD).
• Four standard methods: N (normal), H (high-hardness), L (low-hardness) and M (microtest) with stated applicability ranges.
• Four apparent-hardness methods for curved or non-standard geometry: CN, CH, CL and CM (modifications of N/H/L/M).
• Specifications for indentor geometry, applied forces and test procedures to ensure reproducibility.
• Notes on limitations (e.g., microtest vs. normal test agreement, surface effects) and exclusion of pocket durometers (see ISO 48-5).

Typical use and users

Used by materials and quality laboratories, rubber product manufacturers, OEMs and test houses for routine quality control, material specification, product acceptance and R&D. Typical users include test technicians performing IRHD hardness checks on components (e.g., seals, hoses, O-rings), standards committees and purchasers specifying material acceptance criteria.

Related standards

ISO 48 is a multipart series; related parts include ISO 48-1 (Introduction and guidance), ISO 48-3 (very low rubber hardness), ISO 48-4 (Shore/durometer method) and ISO 48-5 (pocket hardness meter). ISO 48-2 replaces the older consolidated ISO 48:2010 approach for IRHD testing and works alongside ISO guidance documents on hardness measurement.

Keywords

IRHD, rubber hardness, hardness testing, international rubber hardness degrees, IRHD methods N/H/L/M, apparent hardness, durometer (see related parts), vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic rubber, O-ring testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 48-2:2018 is the ISO international standard that specifies methods for measuring rubber hardness in IRHD for materials with hardness between 10 IRHD and 100 IRHD.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers four standard IRHD test methods (N, H, L, M) and four apparent-hardness variants for curved or small test pieces, details of indentor geometry, forces, specimen requirements and reporting so results are reproducible and comparable.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material test laboratories, rubber and component manufacturers, OEM quality engineers, standards committees and procurement/specification teams use it for QC, acceptance testing and material characterization.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 48-2 was published in August 2018 and is the current Part 2 document of the ISO 48 series. It was subject to ISO's 5-year review cycle and is listed as confirmed in ISO listings (reviewed within the normal ISO review process). Users should verify national adoption or amendment dates for their country-specific copies.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 48 is multipart. Relevant parts include ISO 48-1 (introduction/guidance), ISO 48-3, ISO 48-4 (Shore/durometer), ISO 48-5 (pocket hardness) and other related documents in the ISO 48 family.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are IRHD, hardness, hardness testing, rubber, vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic rubber, durometer, apparent hardness, test method N/H/L/M.