1. Slip resistance testing of shoes

(1) Ramp Test

Standards: EN ISO 13287, DIN 51130

Procedure:

Test platform: Adjustable-angle ramp (0°–35°),

surface covered with standard test materials (e.g., ceramic tiles, steel plate + glycerin solution to simulate wet and slippery conditions).

The tester wears the shoe sample and gradually increases the incline angle on the platform until slipping occurs.

Critical angle: Record the angle at which the sole begins to slip (the larger the angle, the better the slip resistance).  

Grade classification:  

DIN 51130: Divided into three grades (A, B, C; Grade A is the highest, suitable for oily industrial environments)  

EN ISO 13287: Minimum critical angle ≥12° (dry surface) or ≥8° (wet surface)

(2) Friction coefficient test method (friction tester method)  

Standards: ASTM F2913, GB/T 3903.6  

Steps:  

Contact surface: dry/wet/oily condition;

Pressure: Simulated human foot pressure (e.g., 50 N)  

Equipment: Pendulum-type or traction-type friction tester, simulating dynamic/static friction between the shoe sole and the ground  

Test Parameters:  

Results: Calculate the static coefficient of friction (COF) and dynamic coefficient of friction (generally requiring COF ≥ 0.4).

2. Safety Testing for Footwear  

(1) Impact and Compression Testing The primary function of safety footwear is to protect the feet from injuries caused by impact and compression. The EN ISO 20345:2022/A1:2024 standard requires safety shoes to withstand at least 200 joules of impact energy (equivalent to a 20-kilogram object falling from a height of 1,020 millimeters) and 15 kilonewtons (KN) of compression force (equivalent to a 1.5-ton weight applied to the toe area).

Testing methods:  

Impact resistance: A specified-weight impact hammer (e.g., 20 kg) is dropped from a specific height (e.g., 30 cm) onto the shoe toe, and the deformation of the shoe toe is measured (must be ≤15 mm), with no sharp edges or cracks inside the shoe toe.

Compression Resistance: Apply vertical pressure (e.g., 15 kN) to the shoe toe using a press, maintain for 1 minute, and inspect for deformation and structural integrity of the shoe toe (no cracking or excessive deformation).

These two tests simulate the risks of heavy object impact and compression injuries in actual work environments to evaluate the protective performance of safety shoes.

(2) Puncture resistance testing Puncture resistance testing is a critical metric for evaluating the ability of the midsole of safety footwear to resist penetration by sharp objects. The EN ISO 20345:2022/A1:2024 standard provides detailed specifications for puncture resistance testing, including testing methods for both metal and non-metal puncture-resistant pads. For metal puncture-resistant pads, the standard requires no more than 3 corrosion points, with an average area not exceeding 2mm²; for non-metal puncture-resistant pads, such as composite materials (PL type and PS type), the standard requires no perforations after multiple tests, and no separation of layers.

Testing method:  

Secure the sole sample and use a 3mm-diameter steel nail to vertically pierce it at a specified speed (e.g., 50mm/min), recording the maximum force at the time of penetration (which must be ≥1100N, with some higher standards requiring ≥1500N). Some safety shoes may have steel plates or Kevlar fibers embedded in the sole, and testing must verify their protective effectiveness.

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