In the context of measuring hardness, what does "Shore A" refer to?

"Shore A" refers specifically to a type of durometer, which is an instrument used to measure the hardness of flexible materials, including elastomers, rubber, and plastics. The Shore A scale is designed to measure soft materials and scales the hardness based on the depth of an indent caused by a specific force applied to the material. The higher the Shore A number, the harder the material. This method is particularly important in industries where the flexibility of materials is critical, as it helps in selecting appropriate materials for applications such as seals, gaskets, and various glazing applications. The term "Shore" is derived from Albert Shore, who developed the durometer measurement system.