There is a lot to think about when you purchase such things as rubber bands, erasers or toys. Studies show that hardness is another important material property to measure. And knowing about hardness, which is called Shore hardness, can help you make better choices and not waste your money buying things that may not work well for you. Let's take a closer look at Shore hardness and how it'll save you money.
What is Shore Hardness?
Shore hardness is how hard or soft a material is. The greater the number, the harder the material. For instance, a low hardness rubber band can be easily extended, whereas a high hardness one cannot. Having a product sorter a hardness enables you to choose the appropriate one for your application.
How Is Shore Hardness Measured?
Shore hardness is determined with a durometer. This instrument has a needle that pokes into the material to determine how hard it is. There are various scales of Shore hardness. Shore A is for soft materials (rubber) — Shore D is for hard materials (plastics), for instance. By understanding these scales, you become a better shopper.
Saving With Shore Hardness
Understanding the Shore hardness of a product helps you from purchasing something that might not withstand the test of time. So for example, if you purchase an eraser with a low Shore hardness, it may wear down fairly quickly and you'll end up needing to buy one sooner than easily. But if you get one with higher Shore Hardness, it will last longer and save you money.
Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse
Have you ever made a purchase and then experienced profound regret? “That's called buyer's remorse, and it can occur when you don't understand what you are buying.” Learning about Shore hardness will help you avoid regret by selecting things that hit that sweet spot. Whether you’re getting a new toy or a hula hoop, you would want to know the Shore hardness of the material in order to make that decision.
Shore Hardness – The Smart Choices It Makes
Don’t be thrown by the number: the hardness index. Shore hardness is a breeze to understand once you understand what it means. When you learn about various scales and how they apply to different materials, you are better equipped to make more intelligent buying decisions. So next time you’re selecting, consider Shore hardness to make sure you’re selecting right.