ISO 48-4-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 48-4:2018 — Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of hardness — Part 4: Indentation hardness by durometer method (Shore hardness). This International Standard specifies the durometer (Shore) method and the applicable scales for measuring indentation hardness of vulcanized and thermoplastic rubbers, including guidance for low‑hardness, thin and cellular materials.

Abstract

This document specifies a method for determining the indentation hardness (Shore hardness) of vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber using durometers with the A, D, AO and AM scales (A for normal hardness, D for high hardness, AO for low-hardness and cellular rubbers, AM for thin test pieces). It defines the method, necessary test pieces and test conditions, and the reporting of results.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 2018-08-20 (Edition 1, published August 2018)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 83.060 (Rubber)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018)
• Number of pages: 15

Metadata and confirmation status as shown on the ISO catalogue.

Scope

ISO 48-4:2018 provides the standardized procedure for measuring indentation (Shore) hardness of vulcanized and thermoplastic rubber using specified durometer scales (A, D, AO, AM). The standard addresses specimen preparation and conditioning, appropriate scales for material types and thicknesses, test execution and the format for reporting results. It supersedes the previous ISO 7619-1 durometer method and is intended for routine laboratory and production quality checks on rubber materials.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and use of Shore durometer scales: A, D, AO and AM for their respective hardness ranges and sample types.
• Requirements for specimen preparation and conditioning (dimensions, support and temperature) to ensure repeatable results.
• Procedure for applying the durometer, number and placement of indentations, and calculation/selection of representative values.
• Calibration, verification and maintenance recommendations for durometers and test stands.
• Reporting requirements: scale used, specimen description, conditioning, number of readings and any deviations from the specified method.
• Notes on applicability to cellular and thin samples and when alternative methods or scales are required.

Typical use and users

Used by material testing laboratories, rubber and elastomer manufacturers, quality assurance/quality control personnel, product development and R&D teams, and conformity assessment bodies. Typical applications include incoming material inspection, production control, specification compliance checks and comparative R&D hardness measurements for vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber products and components.

Related standards

ISO 48-4:2018 replaces ISO 7619-1:2010 (withdrawn) for the durometer (Shore) method for rubber. Equivalent or related test methods include ASTM D2240 (Shore hardness test methods used widely in North America) and other parts of the ISO 48/ISO 7619 family that cover complementary hardness test methods and instrument calibration.

Keywords

Shore hardness, durometer, indentation hardness, rubber testing, elastomers, vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic rubber, AO scale, AM scale, A scale, D scale, hardness measurement.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 48-4:2018 is the ISO standard that defines the indentation (Shore) durometer method for determining the hardness of vulcanized and thermoplastic rubber using the A, D, AO and AM scales.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation and conditioning, selection of appropriate Shore scales for different material types (normal, high, low and thin/cellular), the standardized test procedure, instrument verification and reporting requirements for hardness results.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material and component manufacturers, testing laboratories, QA/QC and R&D teams in the rubber and elastomer industries, and conformity assessment organizations. These users apply the standard for production control, acceptance testing and product development.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 48-4:2018 is the current International Standard for the durometer method and was confirmed in ISO’s periodic review (the 2018 edition remains current as confirmed in 2024). It replaced the earlier ISO 7619-1:2010 (withdrawn).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4 in the numbering for ISO’s hardness/determination standards for rubber materials (the ISO 48 / ISO 7619 family and related parts cover complementary hardness and calibration methods). Related documents include the withdrawn ISO 7619-1 and other ISO/TC 45 deliverables.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Shore hardness, durometer, indentation, rubber hardness, elastomer testing, AO scale, AM scale, A scale, D scale, hardness testing.