Designation: F 1957 – 99

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Composite Foam Hardness-Durometer Hardness1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1957; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope Insulating Materials for Testing3

1.1 This test method describes a type of composite foam D 785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
hardness measurement device known as durometer: Type CF. Electrical Insulating Materials3
The procedure for determining indentation hardness of sub- D 1349 Practice for Rubber—Standard Temperatures for
stances comprised of two or more elastomeric materials, one of Testing4
which is a foam or foam like material. These are classified as D 1415 Test Method for Rubber Property—International
composite foam structures. The composite foam product may Hardness4
have an armature made of a material suitable for adding D 2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer
structural integrity including but not limited to metal, plastic, Hardness4
or wood. This construction is typical for lapbar restraints, D 4483 Practice for Determining Precision for Test Method
seating, and other restraint devices, as well as some show Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Industries4
elements. 3. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This test method is not equivalent to other indentation
hardness methods and instrument types, specifically those 3.1 This test method permits hardness measurements based
described in Test Methods D 1415 and D 2240. on either initial indentation or indentation after a specified
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as period of time, or both.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 3.2 Those specimens, which have a durometer hardness
only. Many of the stated dimensions in SI are direct conver- range other than specified, shall use another suitable procedure
sions from the U.S. customary system to accommodate the for determining durometer hardness.
instrumentation, practices, and procedures that existed prior to 4. Significance and Use
the Metric Conversion Act of 1975.
1.4 All materials, instruments, or equipment used for the 4.1 This test method is based on the penetration by a
determination of mass or dimension shall have traceability to specific type of indentor when forced into the material under
the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) or specified conditions. The indentation hardness is related in-
other internationally recognized organizations. versely to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic
1.5 This test method is not a safety standard as it pertains to modulus and viscoelastic behavior of the material. The geom-
ride legislation. The use of this test method is optional based etry of the indentor and the applied force influence the
upon an agreement between customers and suppliers of foam measurements, such that no simple relationship exists between
products. the measurements obtained with one type of durometer and
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the those obtained with another type of durometer or other
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the instruments used for measuring hardness. This test method is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- an empirical test intended primarily for control purposes. No
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- simple relationship exists between indentation hardness deter-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. mined by this test method and any fundamental property of the
material tested. For specification purposes it is recommended
2. Referenced Documents that Test Method D 785 be used for hard materials and Test
2.1 ASTM Standards: Method D 2240 be used for solid elatomers.
D 374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu- 5. Apparatus
lation2
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical 5.1 Hardness measurement apparatus, or durometer, consist-
ing of the following components:
5.1.1 Presser Foot, with an orifice (to allow for the protru-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-24 on sion of the indentor) having a diameter as specified in Fig. 1
Amusement Rides and Devices and is the direct responsibility of F24.10 on Test
Methods.
3
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published May 1999. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.

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FIG. 1 Presser Foot Detail

with the center a minimum of 38.0 mm (1.5 in.) from any edge
of the flat circular presser foot.
5.1.2 Indentor, formed from steel rod, shaped in accordance
with Fig. 2, polished over the contact area so that no flaws are FIG. 2 Indentor Detail
visible under 203 magnification and with an indentor exten-
sion of 7.62 6 0.04 mm (.300 6 0.002 in.). pointers are auxiliary analog indicating hands designed to
5.1.3 Indentor Extension Indicating Display, (analog or remain at the maximum hardness value attained until reset by
digital electronic), having a display that is an inverse function the operator. Electronic maximum indicators are digital dis-
of the indentor extension. plays electronically indicating and maintaining the maximum
[Link] Digital Electronic Indicating Displays shall indi- value hardness value achieved, until reset by the operator.
cate from 0 to 100, with no less than 100 equal divisions [Link] Analog maximum indicating pointers have been
throughout the range, at a rate of one hardness point for each shown to have a nominal influence on the values attained;
0.50 mm (0.002 in.) of indentor movement. however, this influence is greater on durometers of lesser total
[Link] Analog Indicating Displays shall indicate from 0 to mainspring forces. The influence of a maximum indicating
100, with no less 100 equal divisions throughout the range or pointer shall be noted at the time of calibration in the
alternatively with no less than 90 equal divisions throughout a calibration report (see 10.1.4) and when reporting hardness
range from 10 to 100, at a rate of one hardness point for each determinations (see 10.2.4).
0.050 mm (0.002 in.) of indentor movement. [Link] Digital electronic durometers may be equipped with
5.1.4 Maximum Indicators (optional), maximum indicating electronic maximum indicators that shall not influence the

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 F 1957
indicated reading or determinations attained by more than one 7.2 Indentor Extension—Indentor extension and shape shall
half of the calibration tolerance stated in Table 1. be in accordance with 5.1.2 and Fig. 2.
5.1.5 Calibrated Spring, for applying force to the indentor 7.3 Indentor Extension Adjustment Procedure:
and capable of applying the forces as specified in Table 1. 7.3.1 Dimensional Gage Blocks:
[Link] The presser foot must be attached to the durometer
6. Test Specimen gage before adjustment. This allows a nominal indentor exten-
6.1 The test specimen, herein referred to as “specimen” or sion of 7.62 mm (.300 in.).
“test specimen” interchangeably, shall be at least 25.4 mm [Link] Place precision ground dimensional blocks (Grade B
(1.00 in.) thick, herein, unless it is known that results equiva- or better) on the test specimen support table and beneath the
lent to the 25.4 mm (1.00 in.) values are obtained with a thinner durometer presser foot and indentor. Arrange the blocks so that
test specimen. On specimens with solid armatures, it is the durometer presser foot contacts the larger block and the
suggested that readings not be taken in areas close to the indentor tip is at the moment of contact with the smaller block
armature as this may affect the readings. (Fig. 3).
6.1.1 The lateral dimensions of the test specimen shall be [Link] A combination of dimensional gage blocks may be
sufficient to permit measurements at least 12.0 mm (0.48 in.) used to achieve a difference of 7.62 +0.00, – 0.0254 mm (0.300
from any edge unless it is known that identical results are
obtained when measurements are made at a lesser distance
from an edge.
6.1.2 The surfaces of the test specimen shall be flat and
parallel over a sufficient area to permit the presser foot to
contact the specimen over an area having a radius of at least
30.0 mm (1.18 in.) from the indentor point if possible.
Variations are acceptable as agreed upon between laboratories
or between customer and supplier. The test specimen shall be
supported suitably to provide for positioning and stability. A
suitable hardness determination may be difficult to obtain on an
uneven or rough point of contact with the indentor.
7. Calibration
7.1 Calibration Device—The durometer spring shall be
calibrated by supporting the durometer in a calibrating device
in a vertical position and applying a measurable force to the
indentor tip. The force may be measured by means of a balance
or by an electronic force cell. The calibrating device shall be
capable of measuring applied force to within 50 % of the
calibration tolerance described in Table 1. Care should be taken
to ensure that the force is applied vertically to the indentor tip,
as lateral force will cause errors in calibration.

TABLE 1 Durometer Spring Force Calibration

Indicated Value Force, N Force, lbf
0 1.099 0.247

10 9.928 2.232

20 18.757 4.217

30 27.586 6.202

40 36.415 8.186

50 45.244 10.171

60 54.073 12.156

70 62.902 14.141

80 71.731 16.126

90 80.560 18.111

100 89.389 20.095

Calibration Tolerance 60.893 60.200

FIG. 3 Indentor Extension Calibration Setup

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 F 1957
+0.00, –0.001 in.) between them: 8. Instrument and Test Specimen Conditioning
7.3.2 Indentor Extension Adjustment: 8.1 Tests or instrument calibrations shall be conducted at
[Link] Carefully lower the durometer presser foot until 23.0 6 2.0° C (73.4 6 3.6° F).
contact with the largest dimensional block, the indentor tip 8.2 The instrument and specimen(s) to be tested shall be
should be at the point of contact with the smaller block, maintained at 23.0 6 2.0° C (73.4 6 3.6° F) for a minimum of
verifying full indentor extension. 12 h prior to performing a test or calibration.
[Link] Adjust the indentor extension to 7.620 6 0.04 mm 8.3 For materials whose hardness depends on relative hu-
(0.300 6 0.002 in.), following the manufacturer’s recom- midity, the test specimens shall be conditioned in accordance
mended procedure. with Procedure A of Practice D 618 and tested under the same
[Link] When performing the procedures in 7.3, care should conditions.
be used as not to cause damage to the indentor tip. 8.3.1 Accordingly, the relative humidity at the time of a test
[Link] Parallelism of the durometer presser foot to the test shall be reported in 10.2.2.
specimen support surface (table), and hence the dimensional 8.3.2 The relative humidity may be reported in 10.2.2 when
gage blocks, at the time of instrument calibration shall be in the influence of relative humidity on the hardness of the test
accordance with Test Methods D 374, machinist’s microme- specimen is not known.
ters. 8.3.3 The relative humidity at the time of instrument cali-
7.4 Indicator Display Adjustment (Analog and Digital): bration shall be reported in 10.1.6.
7.4.1 After adjusting the indentor extension as indicated in 8.4 No conclusive evaluation has been made on durometers
7.3, use an identical arrangement of dimensional gage blocks to at temperatures other than 23.0 6 2.0 °C (73.4 6 3.6 °F).
verify the linear relationship between indentor travel and Conditioning at temperatures other than the above may show
indicated display at two points: 0 and 100. Following the changes in calibration. Durometer use at temperatures other
manufacturer’s recommendations, make adjustments so that than the above should be decided between customer and
the indicator displays a value equal to the indentor travel supplier (see Practice D 1349).
measured to within: 8.5 These procedures may be modified if agreed upon
6 1⁄2 durometer units measured at 0; between laboratories or between customer and supplier.
6 1⁄2 durometer units measured at 100, and
6 11⁄2 durometer units at all points enumerated in 7.5.
9. Procedure
7.4.2 Each durometer point indicated is equal to 0.050 mm
9.1 Manual (Hand-Held) Durometer Testing:
(0.002 in.) of indentor travel.
9.1.1 Care shall be exercised to minimize the exposure of
7.5 Spring Calibration—The durometer spring shall be
the instrument to environmental conditions that are adverse to
calibrated at displayed readings 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and
the performance of the instrument or adversely influence test
90. The measured force (9.8 3 mass in kilograms) shall be
results.
within the calibration tolerance specified in Table 1, which
9.1.2 Place the test specimen on a flat, hard, horizontal
identifies the measured force applied to the indentor for the
surface. Hold the durometer in a vertical position with the
entire range of the instrument, although it is necessary only to
indentor tip at a distance from any edge of the test specimen as
verify the spring calibration at points listed herein.
described in Section 6, unless it is known that identical results
7.6 Spring Calibration Procedure:
are obtained when measurements are made with the indentor at
7.6.1 Assure that the indentor extension has been adjusted a lesser distance.
in accordance with 7.3 and the linear relationship between
9.1.3 Apply the indentor to the test specimen, maintaining
indentor travel and indicated display is as specified in 7.4.
the durometer in a vertical position keeping the presser foot
7.6.2 Place the durometer in the calibration device (see 7.1). parallel to the test specimen, with a firm smooth downward
Apply the forces indicated in Table 1 so that the forces applied action that will avoid shock, rolling of the presser foot over the
are aligned with the centerline of the indentor in a fashion that test specimen, or the application of lateral force to the indentor.
eliminates shock or vibration and adjust the durometer in Apply sufficient pressure to assure firm contact between the
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. presser foot and the test specimen (see 5.2).
7.7 The metal or rubber reference blocks provided for 9.1.4 For any material covered in 1.1, after the presser foot
checking durometer operation and state of calibration are not to is in contact with the test specimen, for example, the initial
be relied upon as calibration standards. The calibration proce- indentor travel has ceased, the indicated reading shall be
dures outlined in Section 7 are the only valid calibration recorded within 1 6 0.1 s, or after any period of time agreed
procedures. upon among laboratories or between customer and supplier. If
7.8 Spring force calibration tolerance is 61.0 durometer the durometer is equipped with a maximum indicator, the
unit. Spring force calibration tolerance is calculated as 1 %. maximum indicated reading shall be recorded within 1 6 0.1 s
7.9 Spring Force Combinations: of the cessation of initial indentor travel. The indicated
7.9.1 For Type CF Durometers: hardness reading may change with time.
force, N 5 1.0987 1 0.8829 HCF (1) 9.1.5 Make five or more determinations of hardness at
different positions on the test specimen at least 6 mm (0.24 in.)
where: apart or in areas agreed upon between laboratories or between
HCF 5 one durometer unit on Type CF durometers. customer and supplier, and calculate the arithmetic mean, or

4
 F 1957
alternatively calculate the median. The means of calculating 1 5 time that the presser foot is in contact with the test
the determinations shall be reported according to 10.2.8. specimen or from an electronic timing device, s,
9.2 It is acknowledged that durometer readings below 10 or 5 5 number of determinations, and
above 90 are not considered reliable. It is suggested that x or ; 5 method of calculation, either arithmetic mean (x)
readings in these ranges not be recorded. or the median (;).
9.3 Manual operation (hand-held) of a durometer will cause
variations in the results attained. Improved repeatability may 11. Precision and Bias
be obtained by using a mass, securely affixed to the durometer 11.1 These precision and bias statements have been pre-
and centered on the axis of the indentor. Recommended masses pared in accordance with Practice D 4483. Refer to this
are those necessary to approximate the forces described in practice for terminology and other testing and statistical
Table 1, 9.5 kg for Type CF. concepts.
11.2 The Type 1 precision for the Type CF method has been
10. Report determined from an interlaboratory program with four materi-
10.1 Instrument Calibration Report (Durometer or Operat- als of varying hardness, with six participating laboratories.
ing Stand)—The following information shall be reported: Tests have been conducted on two separate days in each
10.1.1 Date of calibration. laboratory for the Type CF testing program.
10.1.2 Date of last calibration. 11.3 The precision results in this section give an estimate of
10.1.3 Manufacturer, type, model, and serial number of the the precision of this test method with the materials (composite
instrument, and a notation when a maximum indicator or foams) used in the particular interlaboratory program as
timing device is present. described in 11.1 and 11.2. The precision parameters should
10.1.4 Values obtained (pre- and post- calibration results), not be used for acceptance or rejection testing, or both, of any
including a notation of the influence of a maximum indicator, group of materials without documentation that they are appli-
if present. The method of reporting the calibrated value shall be cable to those particular materials and the specific testing
by attaining the arithmetic mean of the determinations. protocols that include this test method.
10.1.5 Ambient temperature. 11.4 This test method does not attempt to identify normal
10.1.6 Relative humidity (see 8.3). production tolerances for foam products. Allowable durometer
10.1.7 Technician identification. variations shall be agreed upon between the customer and the
10.1.8 Applicable standards to which the instrument is supplier, or between laboratories.
calibrated. 11.5 A test result for hardness was the median of five
10.1.9 Calibrating instrument information shall include individual hardness readings on each day in each laboratory.
type, serial number, manufacturer, date of last calibration and 11.6 Table 2 shows the precision results for Type CF
a statement of traceability of standards used to NIST or other method.
acceptable organization (see 1.4). 11.7 Precision—The precision of this test method may be
10.2 Hardness Measurement Report—The following infor- expressed in the format of the following statements, which use
mation shall be included: an appropriate value r, R, (r), or (R), that is, that value to be
10.2.1 Date of test. used in decisions about test results (obtained with the test
10.2.2 Relative humidity (see 8.3). method). The appropriate value is that value of r or R
10.2.3 Ambient temperature. associated with a mean level in Table 2 closest to the mean
10.2.4 Manufacturer, type, and serial number of the durom- level under consideration (at any given time, for any given
eter, or operating stand, or both, including a notation when a material) in routine testing operation.
maximum indicator or timing device is present and date of last 11.7.1 Repeatability—The repeatability, r, of these test
calibration. methods has been established as the appropriate value tabu-
10.2.5 Means of testing, whether manual (hand-held) or lated in Table 2. Two single test results, obtained under normal
operating stand. test method procedures, that differ by more than this tabulated
10.2.6 Description of test specimen, including thickness, r (for any given level) must be considered as derived from
location of test reading, and the vulcanization date. different or nonidentical sample populations.
10.2.7 Complete identification of material tested. 11.7.2 Reproducibility—The reproducibility, R, of these test
10.2.8 Hardness value obtained and method of calculation,
either arithmetic mean or alternatively, the median. TABLE 2 Type 1 Precision — Type CF Durometer Method
10.2.9 Indentation hardness time interval at which determi- Material Mean SrA rB (r)C SRD RE (R)F
nation is made. 1 15.99 0.393 1.11 6.9 0.154 0.44 2.7
10.2.10 Readings may be reported in the form as follows: 2 20.29 0.396 1.12 5.5 0.157 0.44 2.1
3 34.69 0.348 0.98 2.8 0.121 0.34 0.9
CF/60/1/5x or CF/60/1/5; (2) 4 31.00 0.289 0.81 2.6 0.083 0.24 0.7
A
Sr5 repeatability standard deviation, measurement units.
where: B
r 5 repeatability 5 2.83 3 Sr, measurement units.
CF 5 type of durometer, C
(r ) 5 repeatability, relative, (that is, in percent).
60 5 either the mean or the median of the determina- D
SR5 reproducibility standard deviation, measurement units.
tions,
E
R 5 reproducibility 5 2.83 3 SR, measurement units.
F
(R ) 5 reproducibility, relative, (that is, in percent).

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 F 1957
methods has been established as the appropriate value tabu- 11.8 Bias—In test method terminology, bias is the differ-
lated in Table 2. Two single test results obtained in two ence between an average test value and the reference (or true)
different laboratories, under normal test method procedures, test property value. Reference values do not exist for this test
that differ by more than the tabulated R (for any given level) method since the value (of the test property) is exclusively
must be considered to have come from different or nonidentical defined by this test method. Bias, therefore, cannot be deter-
sample populations. mined.
11.7.3 Repeatability and Reproducibility—These are ex-
pressed as a percentage of the mean level, (r) and (R), have 12. Keywords
equivalent application statements as above for r and R. For the
(r) and (R) statements, the difference in the two single test 12.1 durometer; foam; hardness; indentation hardness
results is expressed as a percentage of the arithmetic mean of
the two test results.

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