Overview
ISO 17696:2004 - Footwear - Test methods for uppers, linings and insocks - Tear strength - defines a standardized laboratory method to assess the tear strength of footwear uppers, linings, insocks and complete upper assemblies, irrespective of material. Its objective is to determine whether materials and assembled uppers are suitable for end use by measuring the force required to propagate a tear.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Applies to sheet materials, leather, made-up uppers and finished footwear; intended to assess suitability for service.
- Specimen preparation and sampling:
- Six test specimens are prepared from materials or finished uppers; three with the slit parallel and three perpendicular to the along direction.
- Minimum specimen dimensions are illustrated (e.g., guidance values such as 25 mm and 30 mm ± 2 mm appear in the standard figures).
- Specimens are conditioned in a standard atmosphere per EN 12222 for 24 h prior to testing.
- Apparatus and measurement:
- Tensile testing machine with jaw separation speed 100 mm/min ± 10 mm/min; a typical force range is 0–500 N for upper materials.
- Force recording accuracy to better than 2% (class 2 per EN ISO 7500-1).
- Test procedure:
- A single slit creates two legs which are gripped and torn by separating the jaws.
- Recorded measurements: initial peak force (if present), maximum tear force, and median (average) tear force required to continue the tear.
- Observe and classify tear types: normal clean failure versus abnormal failures (e.g., coating separation, yarn pull-out).
- Results and reporting:
- Report arithmetic mean values for each direction and failure type.
- Report material descriptions, style of shoe (if applicable), number of specimens, test date, method reference and any deviations.
Applications
- Quality control and incoming inspection for footwear manufacturers and material suppliers.
- Product development and material selection to compare tear resistance of uppers, linings and insocks.
- Third‑party and in‑house test laboratories performing conformity or performance testing of footwear components.
- Failure analysis when investigating tear-related faults in service or production.
Related standards
- EN 12222 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of footwear and components.
- EN 13400 - Sampling locations, specimen preparation and conditioning for footwear testing.
- EN ISO 7500-1 - Verification of static uniaxial testing machines (force accuracy/class).
- ISO 17696 was prepared from EN 13571:2001 (adopted as an ISO standard).
Keywords: ISO 17696:2004, footwear tear strength, uppers, linings, insocks, tear test, tensile testing, median force, material testing.
