Overview
ISO 17703:2003 - Footwear: Test methods for uppers - High temperature behaviour specifies a laboratory test method to determine the effect of elevated temperature on the tensile strength and elongation of footwear uppers or complete upper assemblies. The procedure simulates the thermal conditions encountered during manufacturing (for example, moulding-on of rubber) to assess whether materials and assemblies remain suitable for their intended end use, especially in vulcanised footwear processes.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to uppers or complete upper assemblies irrespective of material to assess high temperature behaviour.
- Definition: High temperature behaviour = resistance to elevated temperatures measured by changes in tensile properties.
- Apparatus:
- Rapid-acting platen press capable of applying 1 000 kPa ± 50 kPa across an area of 160 mm × 25 mm.
- Smooth metal upper and lower platens with temperature control.
- Surface thermometer/thermocouple accurate to ±1 °C.
- Test principle: Specimens are pressed between hot platens for a specified time, then tested for breaking force and elongation according to tensile test method (prEN 13522).
- Suggested platen temperatures and pressing times (Table 1):
- Unheated lasts: Upper platen 105 ± 5 °C, lower platen 85 ± 5 °C, pressing time 12.0 ± 0.5 min.
- Heated lasts: Upper platen 180 ± 5 °C, lower platen 110 ± 5 °C, pressing time 8.0 ± 0.5 min.
- Conditioning and storage: After heat treatment, store specimens in a standard controlled atmosphere per EN 12222 for at least 72 hours before tensile testing.
- Results: Report mean breaking force and elongation before and after heat treatment and compute percentage change:
percentage change = (mean after − mean before) / mean before × 100.
- Test report must include: platen temperatures and times, mean values and percentage changes, material description (commercial references), lining/reinforcement details, test method reference, date, and any deviations.
Applications and users
ISO 17703:2003 is used by:
- Footwear manufacturers and R&D teams for material selection and process validation (particularly for vulcanised or moulded processes).
- Quality control and independent testing laboratories evaluating upper materials and finished upper assemblies.
- Suppliers of leather, textiles, laminates, adhesives, membranes and interlinings to verify high-temperature performance.
Practical uses include assessing suitability for moulding processes, verifying supplier claims, and preventing heat-related loss of strength or dimensional performance.
Related standards
- EN 12222 / ISO 18454 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing of footwear.
- prEN 13522 / ISO 17706 - Test methods for uppers - Tensile strength and elongation.
- EN 13400 - Sampling and conditioning of samples and test pieces.
Keywords: ISO 17703:2003, footwear uppers, high temperature behaviour, tensile strength test, platen press, moulding-on, conditioning, test method.
