SATRA releases revised test methods

Describing a number of recently-published revisions to SATRA test methods that are applicable to the footwear and leather industries.

by Kelly Harrison

SATRA TM25:1992 (2018) – ‘Vamp flex test – Resistance to creasing and cracking’ has been reviewed and republished as SATRA TM25:2020 – ‘Vamp flex test – resistance to flexing damage’. SATRA TM25 is primarily intended to determine the propensity for materials to crack or otherwise fail at flexing creases, but can also be used to assess whether leathers are likely to produce salt spue. The test can be conducted with either wet or dry specimens at room temperature or with dry specimens at sub-zero temperatures. The method is applicable to all flexible materials, and in particular those used to manufacture outers and linings of footwear uppers such as leathers, coated fabrics and textiles.

Importantly, the method’s name has been updated as part of the 2020 review to reflect the full testing scope of the test method. The 2020 publication also includes new illustrations which have been designed to provide a clear visual aid to method users. Clarifications have been made with regard to the cold testing, alongside other amendments, which have ensured that the method is up-to-date with SATRA practices.

SATRA TM252:2020 – ‘Measurement of lasts for men’s footwear’ has been published. This method describes the measurement of the effective dimensions of lasts that are used in the routine assessment of their fitting qualities. The method is applicable to model and making lasts for men’s footwear. 

SATRA TM184:2000 (2020) – ‘Friction of insocks’ has been technically reviewed and confirmed. There were several minor updates implemented during the review, including the addition of a new figure to provide a clear illustration of key equipment for users. SATRA TM184 is intended to determine the frictional properties of footwear insocks under typical bodyweight loading conditions. It is applicable to insocks, sock linings and footbed materials, with and without foam backing, in either sheet or cut form.

SATRA TM200 – ‘Resistance to mud staining – shoe care products’ was written to determine the effect of a shoe care product, such as a polish or spray protector, on the resistance of a material to staining by mud. A standard mud solution is prepared by mixing a specified soil with water which is then placed on both treated and untreated test specimens. SATRA TM200:2020 has been updated to clarify the exact composition of the specified soil required for testing, which will ensure test consistency across all users. Previously, a specified brand of soil had been referenced, but it was noted that not all users of this method had access to this particular brand.

SATRA TM404:1992 – ‘Rapid sole adhesion test – for complete footwear’ has been republished as SATRA TM404:2020. This revision has ensured that SATRA TM404 reflects SATRA’s current procedures and to improve usability. New illustrations have been incorporated as a visual aid for method users, alongside several clarifications, including guidance on test specimen conditioning.

The method is intended to determine the strength of the bond between the sole and upper at the toe and heel area of the lasted margin of completed footwear. It is mainly applicable to stuck-on or moulded-on constructions with an extended sole edge.

SATRA TM449 – ‘Test method to determine rotational slip (torque) of footwear and floorings’ was first published in August 2018. This method is applicable to a wide range of whole footwear and flooring materials. A force platform is used to determine the rotational forces (torque) experienced between footwear and a flooring surface during the rotational movement of the flooring in a biomechanical walking machine. The method can be used to assess either sample footwear against a standardised or reference piece of flooring, or to assess sample flooring, in which case a standardised or reference piece of footwear would be used. The 2020 revision has been undertaken to both align it with SATRA TM362 and to simplify the method. SATRA TM449 now takes into account the widespread use of small, accurate tri-axial force plates and platforms for the measurement of rotational torque. The flexibility to use the method for both footwear and flooring has also been clarified.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 28 of the March 2020 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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