OPERATING PROCEDURE MANUAL Ctrl.
N0 : OP-032
0
Rev. N : 0
DIGITAL SHORE HARDNESS TESTER
Author: L.V.CHUNG 0
N of Page : 3
(DUROMETER)
Approval: C.H.SON Date : 09 Jul 09
I. PURPOSE
This procedure describes the guidelines for using the durometers to measure shore hardness of plastics.
II. SCOPE
This procedure applies to the HT-6510 series durometers (HT-6510A for Shore A, HT-6510C for Shore C and
HT-6510D for Shore D Hardness test).
III. DEFINITION
N/A
IV. REFERENCES
ASTM D-2240 Standard Test Method for Rubber Property – Durometer Hardness
Appendix 1 Durometer Hardness Conversion Table
V. PROCEDURES
5.1 FEATURES
• Designed to determine the indentation hardness of materials ranging from cellular products to rigid
plastics. Each Durometer type is made to a specific scale (i.e. A, C, D) and is capable of producing a
value between 0 and 100. Shore A is designed to measure the penetration hardness of rubber, elastomers
and other rubber like substances such as neoprene, silicone, and vinyl. It can also be used for soft
plastics, felt, leather and similar materials. Shore C is designed for various foam and sponge. Shore D is
designed for Plastics, Formica, Epoxies and Plexiglass.
• It meets standards: DIN 53505, ISO 868, ISO 7619, ASTM D 2240, JIS K7215.
• Used the exclusive Micro-computer LSI circuit and crystal time base to offer high accuracy measurement.
• Digital display gives exact reading with no guessing or errors.
• Can communicate with PC for recording, printing and analyzing by the optional software and cable for
RS232C interface.
• Automatic power off to conserve power.
• Use operation stand of optional parts can get good accuracy and repetitiveness due to constant
measurement force to eliminate the errors caused by artificially applied different force.
5.2 SPECIFICATIONS
Display Range Resolution
4 digits, 10 mm LCD 10~90 H(A, C, D) 0.1 H (A,C,D)
Power supply Operating condition Measurement deviation
4x1.5v AA battery Temp. 0~50oC ≤ 1H (A,C,D)
Humidity <80%
Size Weight Power off
162x65x28mm About 170g not 2 modes: Manual off at any time by depressing the
(6.4x2.6x1.1inch) including batteries power key till OFF shows on the display or Auto power
off after 2 minutes from last key operation.
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5.3 FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTIONS
3-1 Sensor
3-2 Display
3-3 Multifunction key
3-4 Max hold key
3-5 Zero key
3-6 N/Average key
3-7 RS232C interface
3-8 Battery Compartment/Cover
3-9 Indicator of Max. Value
3-10 Indicator of Average value
3-11 State of average value
3-12 Number of measurements in the
state of average value
5.4 MEASURING PROCEDURE
1) Test specimen
• Shore A: 6mm thick minimum
• Shore D: 3mm thick minimum
• Specimen should allow measurement to be taken at least 12 mm from any edge.
• Specimen surface should be flat and parallel to allow the presser face to contact to the specimen over an
area which has a minimum radius of 6mm from the durometer probe.
• The specimen may be constructed with layered pieces to achieve the necessary thickness requirements,
however measurements taken on these specimens may not agree with those made on solid specimens,
due to the surface faces between layers not being in complete contact.
2) Depress and release the key to power the tester on.
3) Depress the 'MAX' key till the mark MAX shows on the display.
4) Hold the durometer vertically with the point of the indenter at least 12 mm from any edge. Apply the
presser foot to the specimen as rapidly as possible, without shock, keeping the foot parallel to the surface
of the specimen. Apply just sufficient force to obtain firm contact between the presser foot and the
specimen. Hold for 1 or 2 seconds, the maximum reading can be obtained automatically.
5) To take the next measurement, just depress the 'ZERO' key and repeat the step 4. On the other hand, you
can depress the 'MAX' key till the mark MAX disappears from the display. And then repeat the step 3
and 4.
6) If other than a maximum reading is needed, no need to set the mark MAX showing on the display. In
such case, the reading on the display is an instant value, just hold the durometer in place without motion
and obtain the reading after the required time interval (Normally less than 1 second).
7) How to take average value
7.1) To take the average value of many times of measurements, just depress and release the 'N/AVE' key
to make the symbol 'N' showing on the display, followed by a digit between 1-9 with the prefix
'No.'. Here the digit is the times of measurements used to calculate the average value. Every time
depress and release the 'N/AVE' key, the digit will increase 1. And the digit will become '1' while
depressing the 'N/AVE' key at '9'.
7.2) Adjust the digit to the number needed and depress 'MAX' key or 'ZERO' key to return to the
measurement state or wait for several seconds till '0' on the display.
7.3) Take measurements as per steps from 3 to 5. Be sure that every test should be 6 mm apart. Every
time take a measurement, the reading and the times of measurements show on the display. When
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the times of measurements is equal to the number set, the unit first displays the reading of the last,
and then display the average value of last 'N' measurements, followed by 2 beeps, with a symbol
'AVE' indicating on the display.
7.4) To take the next average value, just repeat the step 7.3.
7.5) To release from average measurement, just depress the 'N/AVE' till 'N' disappears.
5.5 CALIBRATION
To check whether the tester is accurate, just insert the indenter into the hole of the calibrated test
block. Apply enough force to make firm contact between the top surface of the test block and the presser
foot. The reading should agree with the value stamped on the test block. If not, just carry out Zero
calibration and High end calibration.
Calibration operation should be done monthly or even when user sees any differences when using.
5.5.1 ZERO CALIBRATION
Hold the durometer vertically with the point of the indenter hanging in the air, the reading on the
display should be '0'. If not, depress the 'ZERO' key to make the tester display '0'.
5.5.2 HIGH END CALIBRATION
Just place the indenter onto a flat glass, apply enough force to make firm contact between the glass
and the presser foot. The readings on the display should lie between 99.5 and 101. If not, press CAL key to
carry out high end calibration.
VI. FORMS
N/A
Revision history:
Rev. 0 Initial issue 09 Jul 09 L.V.Chung
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