ISO 868-2003 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 868-2003 — Plastics and ebonite — Determination of indentation hardness by means of a durometer (Shore hardness). This International Standard specifies an empirical method for measuring indentation (Shore) hardness of plastics and ebonite using durometers (principally Type A for softer materials and Type D for harder materials); measurements can be taken as initial indentation and/or after a specified time.

Abstract

ISO 868:2003 describes a test procedure using shore durometers to determine indentation hardness of plastics and ebonite. The method is intended primarily for quality control; it does not define a direct relationship between the measured indentation hardness and a material's fundamental properties. For softer elastomeric materials, ISO 48 (IRHD) is recommended for specification purposes.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard confirmed).
• Publication date: March 2003 (Edition 3, 2003-03).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2003).
• Number of pages: 5 (ISO published document length).

Scope

This standard specifies the procedure and apparatus for determining indentation hardness of plastics and ebonite by means of Shore-type durometers (notably Type A and Type D), including specimen preparation/conditioning, instrument application and reading of initial and timed indentations. It is primarily an empirical, control-oriented test and does not provide direct conversion to other material properties.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and use of Shore durometers (Type A for softer materials; Type D for harder materials).
• Specimen size, surface and conditioning requirements for valid measurements.
• Test procedure: application of the durometer, dwell times, and reading conventions (initial reading and readings after specified time).
• Reporting requirements: instrument type, specimen details, temperature/conditioning, dwell time and measured values.
• Limitations: empirical nature of the test and lack of direct equivalence with other hardness scales (recommendation to use ISO 48 for softer elastomers where applicable).

Typical use and users

Used by plastics and ebonite manufacturers, independent testing and certification laboratories, quality control technicians, materials engineers and R&D groups to screen and control material hardness during production, inspection and development. It is commonly applied where quick, repeatable indentation hardness readings are required for specification or process control.

Related standards

Commonly referenced with ISO 48 (hardness of vulcanized/thermoplastic rubber, IRHD) and ASTM D2240 (ASTM test method for durometer hardness for rubber and some plastics). National/adopted versions exist (for example BS EN ISO 868:2003, ÖNORM EN ISO 868). These documents provide complementary hardness methods and instrument guidance.

Keywords

Shore hardness, durometer, indentation hardness, plastics, ebonite, Type A durometer, Type D durometer, hardness test, ISO 868, quality control, specimen conditioning.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 868:2003 is an International Standard that specifies a method for determining indentation (Shore) hardness of plastics and ebonite using durometers (Shore A and D types).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test apparatus, specimen preparation/conditioning, test procedure (application of the durometer and reading of indentation values), dwell-time options (initial and after specified time) and reporting requirements; it is intended primarily for control and comparative testing rather than as a fundamental material property descriptor.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of plastics and ebonite, testing laboratories, quality-control personnel, materials engineers and product designers who need to measure or control surface indentation hardness.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 868:2003 (Edition 3, 2003) is the published edition and, as maintained on the ISO catalogue, has been subject to periodic review and confirmation; the ISO bibliographic record indicates the 2003 edition remains the current published version following reviews.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the family of hardness/indentation standards for polymers and elastomers. Related ISO documents include ISO 48 (IRHD hardness for rubbers) and other parts of the rubber/plastics hardness standards; national/adopted versions and complementary test methods (for example ASTM D2240) exist for similar hardness determinations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Shore, durometer, indentation, hardness, plastics, ebonite, Type A, Type D, ISO 868, hardness testing.