Roller hardness specifications

Shore A · P&J · Shore D

SPÉCIFICATIONS DE DURETÉ DES ROULEAUX GARNIS — ISO 6123/1

This Soremag sheet sets out the hardness specifications for covered rollers, in accordance with standard ISO 6123/1-1982, under which Soremag carries out its measurements. The table below maps the three scales used for rubber and polyurethane: Shore A, P&J (Pusey & Jones) and Shore D.

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Hardness scales

The higher the Shore A (or Shore D) value, the harder the covering; conversely, the higher the P&J value, the softer the roller (top of the table = harder, bottom = softer).

Shore A	P&J (Pusey & Jones)	Shore D	Common reference*
100	0-3	70-100	Golf ball
99	3-5	50-70
97	5-10	50
95	10-15	44
93	15-20	40	Shopping-cart wheel
91	20-25	36
89	25-30	33
87	30-35	30
85	35-40	28
83	40-45	26
81	45-50	25	Skateboard wheel
79	50-55	24
77	55-60	–
75	60-65	–
73	65-70	–
71	70-75	–	Tire
69	75-80	–
65	80-90	–
61	90-100	–
57	100-110	–	Stamp · eraser
53	110-120	–
50	120-130	–
47	130-140	–
44	140-150	–	Pencil eraser
42	150-160	–
40	160-170	–
38	170-180	–	Rubber band
35	180-200	–
32	200-220	–
29	220-240	–

* Everyday references given for guidance only: the scales are not strictly convertible.

Measurement conditions

Covering thickness

Elastomer hardness is measured by indentation: covering thickness affects the reading. The standard sets minimums — at least 9 mm up to 50 Shore A (or 40–100 P&J), and at least 6 mm above 50 Shore A (or up to 40 P&J).

Number of measurements

Roller up to 2500 mm of covered face: 5 points (3 at 120° in the middle + 1 at each end, at 10% of the length). Above 2500 mm: 9 points (3 at 120° in the middle and at each end).

Temperature

In the lab, testing is done at 23 ±2 °C, with the roller brought to temperature beforehand. In service, since hardness varies with temperature, record it to compare results.

Tolerance on nominal hardness

Shore A: multiples of 5 below 90, whole numbers above. P&J: multiples of 3 (0–15), 5 (15–100), 10 (100–200), 25 (>200). In Shore A/D, ISO 6123/1 allows ±5 degrees.

≤ 2500 mm: 5 points · > 2500 mm: 9 points (3 × 120° at each end)

Permitted P&J deviations (ISO 6123/1)

P&J hardness	Tolerance
3–15	±3
16–49	±4
50–60	±5
61–70	±6
71–80	±7
81–90	±8
91–100	±9
101–150	±10

±5 degrees tolerance in Shore A / Shore D.

P&J (Pusey & Jones) reader Bareiss HPE used by Soremag

P&J reader
Bareiss HPE

Official Rex® distributor

Shore A durometer (Type A)

DD-5 digital durometer

Rex TBK A-Type D calibration kit (reference blocks)

TBK calibration kit

Soremag is an official Rex® distributor: Shore A and Shore D durometers (analog and digital) and calibration kits.

Key points Measurements per ISO 6123/1-1982, on the finished roller diameter. Scale correspondences are indicative (the scales are not strictly convertible). Non-contractual document — indicative values. Contact Soremag for any hardness specification.

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