Abstract The dependence of alpha particle track diameter on the hardness of a diallyl maleate–allyl diglycol carbonate (DAM–ADC) nuclear track detector is investigated. When etched under optimum conditions, a relationship between track diameter and hardness is determined which is found to be linear. The physical and chemical characteristics of the detector have been investigated by various techniques including Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers micro-hardness and dielectric constant measurements. This work demonstrates the hardness characterization of polymer materials.