At the cutting edge Safety footwear leathers: Part 1 of 2

摘要

A wide range of test methods are used during the manufacture or tanning of leather suitable for safety footwear. Finished leathers are also assessed against standards, such as the EN344 series of European safety footwear standards, required by footwear manufacturers. However, there are considerable differences between the properties of finished leathers in the tannery, and leather taken from made up footwear. By the time the footwear is offered to "normal" wear and tear, the leather is no longer a flat sheet material, but part of a three-dimensional construction possibly incorporating several materials. In this new situation, the leather properties may be influenced by conditions imposed during construction, from other materials and footwear design. This is very pertinent where footwear is designed and used as personal protective equipment, where all items worn must be assessed to an appropriate standard. Test methods have therefore evolved that are not only based on leather expectations, but also on the needs of the complete footwear.