Overview

ISO 868:2003 is an international standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies a method to determine the indentation hardness of plastics and ebonite using durometers, commonly referred to as Shore hardness tests. This third edition provides a refined empirical testing procedure that utilizes two types of durometers: Type A for softer materials and Type D for harder materials. The standard outlines the apparatus, specimen preparation, conditioning, test procedure, calibration, and reporting requirements.

Indentation hardness measured by this method reflects the resistance of a material to penetration by a specified indenter under controlled conditions. While the method is primarily intended for quality control and comparative purposes, it does not directly correlate to the fundamental properties of materials such as modulus of elasticity or viscoelasticity.

Key Topics

Testing Devices:
- Type A Durometer: Used for softer plastics and ebonite, featuring a 1.25 mm diameter hardened steel indenter and calibrated spring with specific force equations.
- Type D Durometer: Suitable for harder materials with a differently shaped indenter and calibration parameters.
Test Specimens:
- Minimum thickness of 4 mm, with flat and smooth surface areas ensuring accurate measurements.
- Tests should be conducted at least 9 mm away from any specimen edge to avoid edge effects.
Procedure:
- Durometer applied vertically with the presser foot to the specimen.
- Readings can be instantaneous or after a specified time interval (typically 15 seconds).
- Multiple measurements (five minimum) spaced apart on the specimen are recommended for accuracy.
Calibration:
- Calibration of the durometer spring force is critical using a balance and spacer method to ensure test consistency and reliability.
Conditioning and Atmosphere:
- Specimens and instruments are conditioned at testing temperature and relative humidity, depending on the material’s sensitivity to environmental factors.
- Standard atmospheres are defined by ISO 291.
Reporting:
- Detailed test conditions, specimen information, durometer type, timing, and individual measurements must be recorded in the test report.

Applications

ISO 868:2003 is widely used for controlling the quality and consistency of plastics and ebonite products in various industries, including automotive, electronics, consumer goods, and manufacturing. Specific applications include:

Material Selection: Helps engineers assess and compare material hardness for product design and performance criteria.
Quality Assurance: Facilitates routine hardness testing during production to maintain material specifications and detect deviations.
Product Development: Assists R&D teams in evaluating the effect of additives or processing changes on material hardness.
Compliance and Specification: Provides standardized data for inclusion in material datasheets and technical specifications.

While the standard is geared towards plastics and ebonite, its durometer-based testing method is often referenced alongside other hardness standards, such as ISO 48 for rubber hardness testing.

Related Standards

ISO 48 - Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of hardness (for materials with IRHD ranging between 10 and 100). Recommended for materials softer than the scope of ISO 868.
ISO 291 - Plastics - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing, which defines the temperature and humidity conditions for hardness testing.
Other Shore Hardness Standards addressing specific material types or extended ranges may complement ISO 868 testing within industrial quality frameworks.

By adhering to ISO 868:2003, businesses ensure precise and replicable hardness measurements crucial for material selection, performance verification, and quality control in plastics and ebonite manufacturing processes. This standard enhances consistency across international markets by standardizing indentation hardness testing methods and reporting practices.

Overview

Key Topics

Testing Devices:
- Type A Durometer: Used for softer plastics and ebonite, featuring a 1.25 mm diameter hardened steel indenter and calibrated spring with specific force equations.
- Type D Durometer: Suitable for harder materials with a differently shaped indenter and calibration parameters.
Test Specimens:
- Minimum thickness of 4 mm, with flat and smooth surface areas ensuring accurate measurements.
- Tests should be conducted at least 9 mm away from any specimen edge to avoid edge effects.
Procedure:
- Durometer applied vertically with the presser foot to the specimen.
- Readings can be instantaneous or after a specified time interval (typically 15 seconds).
- Multiple measurements (five minimum) spaced apart on the specimen are recommended for accuracy.
Calibration:
- Calibration of the durometer spring force is critical using a balance and spacer method to ensure test consistency and reliability.
Conditioning and Atmosphere:
- Specimens and instruments are conditioned at testing temperature and relative humidity, depending on the material’s sensitivity to environmental factors.
- Standard atmospheres are defined by ISO 291.
Reporting:
- Detailed test conditions, specimen information, durometer type, timing, and individual measurements must be recorded in the test report.

Applications

Material Selection: Helps engineers assess and compare material hardness for product design and performance criteria.
Quality Assurance: Facilitates routine hardness testing during production to maintain material specifications and detect deviations.
Product Development: Assists R&D teams in evaluating the effect of additives or processing changes on material hardness.
Compliance and Specification: Provides standardized data for inclusion in material datasheets and technical specifications.

While the standard is geared towards plastics and ebonite, its durometer-based testing method is often referenced alongside other hardness standards, such as ISO 48 for rubber hardness testing.

Related Standards

ISO 48 - Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of hardness (for materials with IRHD ranging between 10 and 100). Recommended for materials softer than the scope of ISO 868.
ISO 291 - Plastics - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing, which defines the temperature and humidity conditions for hardness testing.
Other Shore Hardness Standards addressing specific material types or extended ranges may complement ISO 868 testing within industrial quality frameworks.

ISO 868:2003 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics

Applications

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Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics

Applications

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