ISO 48-3 Rubber - Vulcanized or Thermoplastic - Determination of Hardness - Part 3: Constant Load Hardness Using the Very Low Rubber Hardness (VLRH) Scale

EUROLAB, with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, provides precise and fast testing services within the scope of ISO 48-3 testing. This standard specifies the dead load method for determining the hardness of very soft vulcanized or thermoplastic rubbers using the very low rubber hardness (VLRH) scale. The relationship between the depth of penetration and the VLRH scale is linear.

The hardness test specified in this standard is designed as a more distinctive alternative to the international rubber hardness rating scale (ISO 35-48) for rubbers below 2 IRHD. A durometer method for soft rubbers is described in ISO 48-4 as the AO scale. Application examples are low modulus bearings, soft roller linings and thrust rubbers.

Hardness testing consists of measuring the difference between the depth of indentation of a ball into the rubber under a small contact force and a large total force.

Calibration must be performed if measurements are required on test pieces with a curved surface. Tests need to be performed on test pieces of material with both flat and curved surfaces. The difference in hardness found for flat and curved test pieces is used in reverse sign as a correction for hardness values ​​obtained on test pieces of similar material with curved surfaces.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with ISO 48-3 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.