Overview
EN ISO 20863:2018 - Footwear: Test methods for stiffeners and toepuffs - Bondability (ISO 20863:2018) specifies a laboratory method to determine the bondability of heat‑activated and solvent‑activated stiffeners and toepuffs to uppers and linings. The standard defines specimen preparation, pressing/activation conditions, tensile testing, conditioning and how to express results (dry and wet bondability). It is intended for consistent quality assessment of footwear components and adhesive processes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Measurement of bond strength between stiffeners/toepuffs and upper/lining materials using heat or solvent activation.
- Specimens: Rectangular strips of (150 mm ± 10 mm) × (30 mm ± 2 mm).
- Activation methods:
- Heat activated: Press between heated plates at 70, 90, 110, 130 and 150 °C (±5 °C), pressure 245 kPa (±5 kPa), dwell 10 s.
- Solvent activated: Apply acetone or similar solvent uniformly, wait 2.5 min (±0.5 min), press at 50 °C (±5 °C), 245 kPa (±5 kPa) for 10 s.
- Apparatus:
- Tensile testing machine with jaw separation rate 100 mm/min (±10 mm/min) and force accuracy better than 2% (as per ISO 7500‑1).
- Press with heated plates and controlled pressure.
- Reference leather (L1) and a specified non‑woven fabric for composite test pieces.
- Conditioning: Test pieces conditioned in standard atmosphere per ISO 18454 for 24 h before testing.
- Test procedure: Partially unbond in tensile machine, then submerge bonded portion in distilled/deionised water for 6 h, finish unbonding to determine wet bondability.
- Results: Report dry bondability and wet bondability as average force divided by specimen width (N/mm). Include test temperatures, methods, and any deviations.
- Test report contents: Reference to ISO 20863:2018, sample description, average values by temperature, date, deviations, and method used.
Practical applications and users
- Quality control and incoming inspection of stiffeners, toepuffs, adhesives and coated components in footwear manufacturing.
- R&D teams evaluating new materials, laminates or activation processes (heat vs solvent).
- Testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing standardized bondability tests.
- Material suppliers and footwear OEMs specifying acceptance criteria for bonded components.
Related standards
- ISO 7500‑1 (calibration of testing machines)
- ISO 18454 (conditioning atmospheres for footwear testing)
- ISO 3696 (water for analytical use)
- CEN/TR 15990 (data sheets for test materials and adhesives)
Keywords: EN ISO 20863:2018, bondability, stiffeners, toepuffs, footwear testing, heat activated, solvent activated, dry bondability, wet bondability, tensile testing.
