Metaltest provides durometer hardness testing in the two most common scales; ASTM D2240 type A and type D scales.
Durometer, like many other hardness tests, measures the depth of an indentation in the material created by a given force on a standardized presser foot. ASTM D2240 durometer allows for a measurement of the initial hardness, or the indentation hardness after a given period of time. The basic test requires applying the force in a consistent manner, without shock, and measuring the hardness (depth of the indentation).
The A scale is for softer vulcanized rubber, natural rubber, nitriles, thermoplastics, elastomers, flexible polyacrylics and thermosets, wax, felt and leather.
The D scale is for Hard Rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, hard plastics, and rigid thermoplastics.