ISO 48-2 Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic, Determination of Hardness, Part 2: Standard Test for Hardness from 10 IRHD to 100 IRHD

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of ISO 48-2 standard. This standard specifies four methods (standard hardness methods) for determining the hardness of vulcanized or thermoplastic rubbers on flat surfaces and four methods (apparent hardness methods) for determining the apparent hardness of curved surfaces.

Hardness is expressed in international rubber hardness grades (IRHD). The methods cover the hardness range of 10 IRHD to 100 IRHD.

These methods differ mainly in the diameter of the scoring ball and the magnitude of the scoring force; they are chosen to suit the particular application.

This standard specifies the following four methods for determining standard hardness.

• Method N (normal test) is suitable for rubbers with a hardness in the range 35 IRHD to 85 IRHD, but can also be used for hardness in the range 30 IRHD to 95 IRHD;
• Method H (high hardness test) is suitable for rubbers with hardness in the range of 85 IRHD to 100 IRHD;
• Method L (low hardness test) is suitable for rubbers with a hardness in the range of 10 IRHD to 35 IRHD;
• Method M (microtest) is essentially a reduced version of the normal test method N, allowing thinner and smaller test pieces to be tested. It is suitable for rubbers with hardness in the 35 IRHD to 85 IRHD range, but can also be used for hardness in the 30 IRHD to 95 IRHD range.

This standard also specifies four methods for determining the apparent hardness of curved surfaces, CN, CH, CL and CM. These methods are modifications of the N, H, L, and M methods, respectively, and are used when the rubber surface being tested is curved.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with ISO 48-2 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.