scope:

This standard specifies the hardness testing of rubber test pieces and products. The hardness of a rubber is determined by its viscoelastic properties, particularly the elastic modulus as determined in DIN 53504. Type A durometers are suitable for testing in the hardness range from 10 to 90 Shore A, while type D durometers are to be used in the high hardness range.

The ball indentation method can be used for the middle hardness range, either using a 2,5 mm diameter ball as specified in DIN 53519-1 or - for softer test pieces - with a 5 mm diameter ball as specified in DIN EN ISO 2039-1. Test pieces which are too small to be tested as in DIN 53519-1 may be tested in accordance with DIN 53519-2.

An overview of the ranges of application for the different hardness testing methods is given in Appendix A.