A hardness tester assigns a number to indicate the level of hardness and durability of a substance. Soft materials are denoted by an ‘A’ and harder ones by a ‘D’. Manufacturers use it to ensure their products have an acceptable range of hardness, such as plastic floor mats and rubber wheels. Regular audits help identify deviations from the standards.
As a gauge that can be used to check the hardness of a given material, the hardness tester can be used in a number of different applications. It works by analyzing a certain substance and then assigning it a number to indicate its level of harness and durability. A lower number would indicate a softer nature of the substance, while a higher number would indicate that the product is harder and less likely to bend or crack.
Along with the number, there is often a hardness rating as well, with softer materials denoted by an ‘A’ and harder ones rated as a ‘D’. Consequently, a substance with an overall rating of A30 would be considered not very hard, compared to a substance with a reading of D70. Readings are usually based on checking several points along the surface of the material and then making a cumulative evaluation based on the data.
While a hardness tester can technically be used to test the hardness of any substance, the device’s primary uses are associated with measuring the hardness of rubber or plastic products. Generally, manufacturers will have a range that they consider ideal for the type of goods they produce.
For example, the manufacturer of various types of plastic floor mats may want all of its products to have a hardness level in the mid-range. This method would indicate durability but with some degree of flexibility as part of the final product. Being able to test the manufacturing process periodically will help keep the hardness of the finished products within an acceptable range of the Mohs scale, resulting in products of fair quality to each other.
Along with plastic mats, products such as rubber wheels on roller skates need to be relatively hard so they can withstand a lot of wear and tear. On the other hand, a rubber or plastic welcome mat should be softer. Using a hardness tester during the manufacturing process to ensure that the material mix results in the required level of hardness can save a company a great deal of time and resources. Regular audits will quickly identify any deviations from the standards employed by the company.
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