What is a shoe abrasion test?

A shoe abrasion test uses a special grinding wheel to examine the wear resistance of the shoe sole under a certain load, speed, and time. Commonly used testing methods include the Akron method, the NBS method, and the China National Standard (GB) method (also known as the XM abrasion method). Since 1983. the XM abrasion method has been the standard for sole abrasion testing of finished shoes in China. According to the standard, an XM abrasion tester is used, with a grinding wheel diameter and width of (20 ± 0.1) mm × (4 ± 0.1) mm, 72 teeth, and T12 steel. The load between the grinding wheel and the sample is 4.9 N. The grinding wheel rotates at a speed of (191 ± 5) rpm for 20 minutes. The test results are measured as the wear scar length (1 mm). A wear scar length less than 10 mm is considered excellent, and less than 13 mm is considered acceptable. The Akron wear test results are measured as wear volume [cm³/(1.61 km)]. Experiments have shown that the XM abrasion test results correlate well with actual wear.

Common methods for testing sole wear include the DIN abrasion method, the national standard abrasion resistance method, the Akron abrasion method, and the NBS abrasion method.

DIN sole wear testing method

The DIN abrasion method primarily includes the following testing standards: GB/T9867-2008. ISO4649:2010. ISO20871:2001. EN12770:1999. and QB/T2884-2007. QB/T867-2008 and ISO4649:2002 use the same standard, while ISO20871:2001. EN12770:1999. and QB/T2884-2007 use the same standard. The testing instruments are identical, and the operating procedures are relatively consistent. ISO 20871:2001 is equivalent to ISO 4649:1985. while ISO 4649:2002 is a refinement of ISO 4649:1985.

Compared to previous standards, ISO 4649:2010 has a wider testing scope and offers multiple testing options when significant wear occurs. Therefore, the former offers significant advantages over the latter in terms of both testing scope and methodology. This article uses GB/T 9867 as an example to provide a detailed analysis of the non-rotating specimen method:

Under constant contact pressure and area, the wear mass of cylindrical rubber specimens is tested. The testing process is broadly divided into the following steps: First, the standard rubber is subjected to three wear mass tests. Second, the test rubber is tested for wear mass. Third, the standard rubber is subjected to three more wear mass tests. Finally, based on the test results, the average mass loss of the standard rubber and the relative wear mass of the test specimen are calculated.

National Standard Sole Abrasion Test Method

The national standard abrasion test method involves pressing a toothed metal grinding wheel vertically against the sole being tested. The wheel's load, speed, and time are set, and the sole is abraded according to the set standards. To perform the national standard abrasion test, first place the shoe or sole being tested on the scale on the left side of the sole abrasion tester. Then, add weights to the right side of the scale until the weight on the right matches the weight on the left side of the shoe or sole, effectively balancing the two ends of the scale. Then, place a 500g weight on the weight tray and adjust the sole's position so that it rests flatly on the grinding wheel. After 20 minutes, measure and record the length of the wear mark on the sole.

Akron Sole Abrasion Test Method

Akron abrasion testing utilizes the national standard GB/T1689-1998. During testing, the specimen is subjected to friction against a grinding wheel under a certain load and tilt angle over a distance of 1.61 km. The wear volume is then determined. The general procedure for this method is as follows: The specimen is attached to a rubber wheel and placed at a standard temperature for 16 hours. The wheel is pre-grinded for 15-20 minutes, then removed and weighed. The wheel is then tested over a distance of 1.61 km to determine the specimen's density. Following these steps, the wear value is calculated.

NBS Sole Abrasion Test Method

The NBS abrasion test utilizes the American standard ASTM D1630-06. This test method uses a grinding wheel to perform abrasion tests on both a standard rubber and a test sample, using a 2.54mm sample thickness. When the specified thickness is reached, a conductive device automatically disconnects the power supply and records the number of abrasions. The two data are then compared. The operating process generally consists of the following steps: First, the standard rubber is pre-grinded to match the abrasive surface of the sandpaper. Then, the number of times the standard rubber is abraded through 2.54mm is recorded. The test sample is then pre-grinded in the same manner, and the number of rotations is recorded. The resulting data is then calculated to determine the sample abrasion index.

Working Principle

The sole wear tester operates based on the principles of friction and wear of materials. It simulates the friction between shoes and the ground when people walk to measure the degree of material wear. During the test, the friction force and number of cycles must be controlled, and the relevant data must be recorded to obtain accurate test results.

Market Applications

Sole wear testers are widely used in industries such as footwear, rubber, and tires. With the continuous development of these industries, product quality requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, leading to a growing market demand for sole wear testers. Furthermore, with technological advancements and equipment upgrades, the performance and accuracy of sole wear testers are also continuously improving.

The key role of a shoelace wear tester lies first and foremost in its strict control of product quality. In daily wear, shoelaces are repeatedly tightened and loosened, and frequently rub against eyelets and other objects, placing extremely high demands on the wear resistance of the shoelaces. If the shoelaces do not meet the required wear resistance requirements, they can easily become fuzzy or break, affecting the proper use of the shoes. By simulating the frictional environment experienced in actual shoelace use, the shoelace abrasion tester can accurately measure the wear resistance of shoelaces made of different materials and using different processes. For example, it can be set to a specific friction frequency, pressure, and duration to test shoelaces made of different materials, such as nylon, polyester, and cotton, and obtain accurate wear resistance data. Based on this data, shoemakers can select high-quality raw materials and optimize shoelace production processes, ensuring quality from the source and ultimately improving the overall quality of the shoe.

Furthermore, this equipment provides strong support for the development and implementation of industry standards. Currently, the shoemaking industry has clear standards for the wear resistance of shoelaces, and the shoelace abrasion tester is a key tool for measuring whether shoelaces meet these standards. Through standardized testing methods and data indicators, shoelaces produced by different companies can be fairly compared, avoiding inconsistent quality due to inconsistent testing methods. This not only helps regulate market order but also encourages companies to continuously improve their production to meet industry standards. For example, when a regional shoemaking industry association updates its standards for shoelace abrasion resistance, companies can use shoelace abrasion testers to test shoelaces according to the new standards, ensuring that their products meet market access requirements.

In terms of application scenarios, shoelace abrasion testers play a vital role in raw material procurement. When purchasing shoelace raw materials, shoemakers need to rigorously test samples provided by suppliers. Using a shoelace abrasion tester, companies can clearly determine whether the abrasion resistance of a batch of raw materials meets production requirements, allowing them to make informed decisions about whether to purchase the materials, effectively reducing production risks associated with raw material quality issues.

Shoelace abrasion testers are also essential equipment in product development. When R&D personnel are experimenting with new materials or production processes, they need to use this equipment to test their abrasion resistance. Based on the test results, they can adjust material ratios, process parameters, and other factors to continuously optimize the performance of the shoelaces. For example, when developing a new shoelace that is both environmentally friendly and wear-resistant, R&D personnel can conduct multiple trials to find the optimal material combination and production process to ensure that it meets environmental requirements while also achieving excellent abrasion resistance.

The sole wear tester is an important testing equipment that plays an important role in evaluating the wear resistance of soles and other related materials.