Metrix+ RHT-A Shore A Hardness Tester Durometer

A. Product Overview

The Metrix Plus RHT-A Shore A Hardness Tester is a digital rubber hardness tester developed for fast and convenient hardness measurement of soft elastomers, rubber and similar polymer materials.

The Shore A scale is commonly used for materials such as:

• Soft vulcanized rubber
• Natural rubber
• Nitrile rubber
• Thermoplastic elastomers
• Flexible polyacrylic materials
• Soft thermosetting materials
• Wax
• Felt
• Leather
• Other soft polymer materials

The instrument has an integrated probe and lightweight handheld construction, making it suitable for laboratory as well as production floor testing.

Key Specifications

• Model: Metrix Plus RHT-A
• Hardness scale: Shore A
• Measuring range: 0 to 100
• Recommended measuring range: 10 to 90H
• Resolution: 0.1H
• Accuracy: Better than approximately ±1H
• Display: Backlit LCD
• Power supply: 2 x 1.5V AAA batteries
• Operating temperature: 0 to 50 degrees Celsius
• Dimensions: Approximately 170 x 63 x 24 mm
• Weight: Approximately 310 g excluding batteries
• Average value function
• Maximum value data hold
• Automatic power off
• Low battery indication
• Metric to imperial conversion
• Inbuilt software calibration

The RHT-A is designed in accordance with commonly used Shore hardness testing standards including DIN 53505, ISO 868, ISO 7619, ASTM D2240 and JIS K7215.

B. Working Principle

The RHT-A Shore A Hardness Tester works using the indentation hardness measurement principle.

The instrument contains an indenter that is loaded by a calibrated spring. During measurement, the tester is pressed against the surface of the rubber or polymer sample.

The indenter penetrates the material according to its hardness.

In simple terms:

Softer material allows deeper penetration.

Harder material allows less penetration.

The tester measures this penetration depth and converts it into a Shore A hardness reading.

For Shore A measurement, the RHT-A uses a hardened steel rod approximately 1.1 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter, with a truncated 35 degree cone and approximately 0.79 mm tip diameter.

The resulting hardness value is shown directly on the backlit digital display.

C. Why Is the RHT-A Used?

The RHT-A is used to determine whether rubber and polymer materials have the required hardness for their intended application.

Material hardness can influence several important properties, including:

• Flexibility
• Compression behavior
• Elasticity
• Wear resistance
• Deformation
• Sealing performance
• Mechanical durability
• Product consistency
• Manufacturing quality

Testing hardness helps manufacturers maintain consistent material properties between different batches and finished products.

Typical Applications

The RHT-A can be used for:

• Rubber hardness testing
• Soft rubber component inspection
• Natural rubber testing
• Nitrile rubber testing
• Elastomer hardness measurement
• Thermoplastic elastomer testing
• Flexible polymer testing
• Leather hardness testing
• Felt testing
• Wax hardness testing
• Incoming material inspection
• Production line quality control
• Finished product inspection
• Research and development testing
• Supplier material verification

D. Suitable Buyers

The Metrix Plus RHT-A Digital Shore A Hardness Tester is suitable for:

• Rubber product manufacturers
• Rubber moulding companies
• Polymer manufacturers
• Plastic and elastomer manufacturers
• Gasket manufacturers
• Seal manufacturers
• O-ring manufacturers
• Automotive rubber component manufacturers
• Tyre and rubber product industries
• Footwear manufacturers
• Hose manufacturers
• Cable manufacturers
• Conveyor belt manufacturers
• Quality control departments
• Quality assurance departments
• Material testing laboratories
• Research and development laboratories
• Inspection agencies
• Educational institutes
• Industrial testing laboratories
• Engineering companies

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Metrix Plus RHT-A?

The Metrix Plus RHT-A is a digital Shore A hardness tester used for measuring the hardness of soft rubber, elastomers and other soft polymer materials.

2. What hardness scale does the RHT-A use?

The RHT-A uses the Shore A hardness scale.

3. What is the measuring range of the RHT-A?

The instrument has a measuring range of 0 to 100, with a recommended measurement range of approximately 10 to 90H.

4. What is the resolution of the RHT-A?

The RHT-A provides a resolution of 0.1H.

5. What is the accuracy of the RHT-A?

The specified accuracy is better than approximately ±1H.

6. Which materials can be tested with the RHT-A?

It can be used for soft vulcanized rubber, natural rubber, nitrile, thermoplastic elastomers, flexible polyacrylic materials, thermosets, wax, felt, leather and similar soft materials.

7. Can the RHT-A test natural rubber?

Yes. Natural rubber is one of the primary materials suitable for Shore A hardness testing.

8. Can the RHT-A test nitrile rubber?

Yes. It can be used for hardness measurement of nitrile rubber and similar elastomer materials.

9. Can it be used for O-rings and rubber seals?

It can be used for suitable rubber components such as O-rings, seals and gaskets, provided the test sample geometry and thickness are appropriate for Shore A testing.

10. What is the difference between Shore A and Shore D hardness?

Shore A is generally used for softer rubber and elastomers.

Shore D is generally used for harder rubber, harder polymers and rigid plastics.