Overview
EN ISO 17702:2018 - titled "Footwear - Test methods for uppers - Water resistance (ISO 17702:2003)" - specifies a laboratory test method to determine the resistance of footwear upper materials to water penetration on flexing. Adopted by CEN from ISO 17702:2003, this standard defines how to prepare specimens, the apparatus and cyclic-flexing conditions, and how to record water penetration, absorption and transmission to assess suitability for end use.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Measures water penetration through upper materials during repeated flexing to evaluate water resistance for footwear applications.
- Specimen preparation: Cut two rectangular specimens (75 mm × 60 mm) in principal and perpendicular directions, mark material direction, lightly buff outer surface, and condition specimens in standard atmosphere (per EN 12222) for at least 24 h.
- Apparatus requirements:
- Cylindrical clamps (diameter 30.0 mm ± 0.5 mm) mounted coaxially; max separation 40 mm ± 0.5 mm.
- Flexing mechanism with selectable throws: 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, 4.0 mm or 6.0 mm (tolerances apply) at about 50 cycles/min ± 1.
- Water reservoir adjustable up to 5 mm above cylinder axes.
- Equipment for stiffness measurement, balances, abrasive paper (grade 180), timers, and grade‑3 distilled/deionised water (EN ISO 3696).
- Test procedure:
- Determine appropriate throw based on material stiffness using a stiffness-measuring setup.
- Clamp specimen to form a trough, immerse in water, apply cyclic flexing and record time to water penetration.
- Optional measurement of mass absorption (water retained by specimen) and transmission (water passed through).
- Results & reporting: Record stiffness, time to penetration, absorbed and transmitted mass, conditioning details, apparatus settings, and specimen orientation.
Applications
- Footwear manufacturers: Product development and quality control for water-resistant uppers, boots and outdoor shoes.
- Material suppliers: Verify performance of leathers, textiles, coated fabrics and membranes intended for uppers.
- Independent test laboratories: Standardized testing for certification, supplier validation, and comparative performance data.
- R&D and compliance teams: Evaluate design choices (linings, membranes, coatings) and support claims about water resistance.
Related Standards
- EN 12222 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of footwear and components.
- EN ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use (specifies grade‑3 water).
- EN 13400 - Sampling location, preparation and duration of conditioning of samples and test pieces.
- EN 13518:2001 (superseded by EN ISO 17702:2018)
Keywords: EN ISO 17702:2018, water resistance, footwear uppers, test methods, water penetration on flexing, upper material testing, stiffness, absorption, transmission.
