Maeser Water Penetration Tester: Ensuring Dynamic Water Resistance for Footwear

The Maeser Water Penetration Tester is a specialized and highly effective instrument designed to accurately determine the dynamic water resistance and water absorption of flexible sheet materials, with a primary focus on footwear upper leathers. This crucial test evaluates how well materials resist water penetration and absorb moisture when subjected to repeated flexing, simulating real-world wear conditions. It is an indispensable tool for manufacturers and quality control departments ensuring the performance and longevity of footwear, synthetic leathers, fabrics, and other flexible sheet materials.

Understanding Dynamic Water Resistance

For footwear, particularly outdoor and protective shoes, the ability of the upper material to resist water under dynamic conditions (i.e., while being flexed during walking) is paramount. The Maeser Water Penetration Tester specifically addresses this by providing an objective measure of:

Water Penetration: The time or number of flexes until water visibly passes through the material.

Water Absorption: The amount of water absorbed by the material during the flexing process.

This testing is vital for:

Footwear Upper Materials: Leather, artificial leather, and textiles used in shoe construction.

Flexible Sheet Materials: Any material where dynamic water resistance is a key performance indicator.
 

Precision Testing Principle

The Maeser Water Penetration Tester operates on a well-established principle to accurately simulate the stresses a material faces in use:

Specimen Preparation: A square test specimen is carefully prepared and folded.

Secure Clamping: The folded specimen is then securely fastened into two V-shaped clamps, which have closed ends to form a trough. This unique clamping mechanism ensures that the material is held firmly while allowing for precise flexing.

Immersion & Oscillation: The formed trough, containing the specimen, is immersed in water. The clamps then begin to oscillate at a constant speed of 50 revolutions per minute (r/min). This repeated flexing action continuously stresses the material in the presence of water.

Leakage Detection: The test continues until the very first visible sign of water penetration through the test specimen is observed.

Quantitative Measurement: The instrument records the number of flex cycles (displayed on an LCD counter up to 999.999) or the time elapsed (via an LED timer up to 999 hours) until penetration occurs. This provides objective data on the material's dynamic waterproofness.
 

Comprehensive Standard Compliance

Our Maeser Water Penetration Tester is designed and manufactured to meet or exceed a comprehensive range of international and industry-specific testing standards, ensuring your test results are globally recognized and highly reliable:

DIN-53338

GB/T 20991 chapter 6.13.2 (related to general safety requirements for footwear)

ASTM D2099: Standard Test Method for Dynamic Water Resistance of Shoe Upper Leather by the Maeser Water Penetration Tester.

SATRA TM34 Type 1 & Type 2: Specific test methods developed by SATRA, a leading research and technology organization for footwear and leather.

ISO 5403-2: Leather - Physical and mechanical tests - Determination of water resistance of flexible leathers - Part 2: Dynamic water penetration test.

By investing in the Maeser Water Penetration Tester, you gain the capability to rigorously assess and validate the dynamic water resistance and absorption characteristics of your materials, crucial for delivering high-performance, durable, and comfortable products in the footwear and flexible sheet material industries.