Durometers

Durometers are hand-held measuring devices used to measure the hardness of a product. Using the Shore measuring scale, you can measure materials such as flexible elastomers, hard rubbers and rigid plastics. When measuring with a Shore durometer, selecting the correct Shore scale for the material being tested is critical to avoid scale overlap and ensure accurate results. Always use the Shore scale set out by industry standards and the correct durometer gauge for the application.

RS Australia is a trusted supplier and distributor of durometers, stocking shore durometer and shore hardness tester instruments from leading brands including Sauter, Kern, and RS PRO.

Types of Durometers & Understanding Shore Scales

Shore durometer instruments are available in two display formats. Analog durometers display the Shore hardness reading via a needle scale, offering a simple and robust option for general workshop use. Digital durometers provide a numeric readout with greater resolution, making them well suited to quality control environments where documented results are required.

Selecting the correct Shore scale is as important as selecting the instrument itself. The three most commonly used scales are:

• Shore 00 is used for very soft materials such as gels, foams, and extremely soft rubbers where the standard Shore A scale would not produce a meaningful or differentiated reading.
• Shore A is the most widely used scale for flexible and semi-flexible materials including rubber, silicone, neoprene, and soft plastics. Most general-purpose shore durometer testers operate on the Shore A scale.
• Shore D is used for harder materials such as rigid plastics, hard rubbers, and semi-rigid polymers where Shore A would compress fully without differentiating between hardness levels.

How Does a Durometer Work?

A durometer uses an indenter and a calibrated spring. It measures the depth of penetration of the indenter when under load, which gives the Shore hardness measurement. The indenter is pressed firmly and perpendicularly against the material surface, and the depth of penetration is recorded after a defined dwell time. In order to achieve accurate readings, it is essential to use the correct durometer and the correct Shore scale for the material being tested.

Durometers on the Shore hardness scale range from 0 to 100, with 0 representing maximum penetration and 100 representing no penetration. Analog or digital readings are available depending on the model, with a choice of Shore hardness scales and ease of use across all formats.

Industrial Applications of Durometers

Rubber and Elastomer Manufacturing

Shore durometer testers are an essential quality control instrument in rubber and elastomer manufacturing, used to verify that moulded components meet hardness specifications before leaving the production line. Silicone moulding processes in particular rely on durometer hardness tester instruments to confirm consistent material properties across production batches.

Tyre and Automotive Testing

Tyre wear testing and automotive component inspection use durometers to assess the hardness of rubber compounds, seals, and gaskets across production and in-service inspection stages. Shore hardness durometer readings help identify material degradation and support service life prediction in automotive applications.

Concrete and Construction Testing

Concrete wet pour and dry applications use durometers to measure surface hardness at different stages of the curing process. Shore durometer gauge readings taken during curing provide a reliable indicator of concrete strength development, supporting quality assurance on construction sites across Australia.

Buy Durometers Online from RS Australia

RS Australia stocks shore durometer and durometer hardness tester instruments for rubber, elastomer, plastic, and construction material testing applications. Key brands available include Sauter, Kern, and our own RS PRO. You can also find the surface gauges, thickness gauges, and micrometers you require for your industrial applications in our online shop.

Order online at any time with full product specifications available at the point of selection. Credit account options are available for business buyers, with next working day delivery on stocked items across Australia. Please visit our delivery page for more information about our shipping options and timelines.