Overview
ISO 22654:2002 defines a standardized test method for determining the tensile strength and elongation of footwear outsoles. Adopted from EN 12803:2000, this ISO standard specifies specimen preparation, conditioning, test-machine requirements, measurement procedures and how to report results. It is used to evaluate the mechanical performance of polymeric, elastomeric, cellular and leather outsoles under tensile loading.
Key Topics
- Scope: Method for determining tensile strength (stress at maximum force) and elongation at break for outsole materials.
- Specimen preparation:
- Use dumb-bell test pieces produced with dies complying with ISO 4661‑1.
- Test lengths: Type 1 = 25.0 ± 0.5 mm; Type 2 = 20.0 ± 0.5 mm.
- Maintain uniform specimen thickness by splitting; result types S2 (two original skins), S1 (one skin) or S0 (no skin).
- Test at least 3 specimens of the same type; report which type was used.
- Conditioning: All specimens conditioned according to EN 12222 for a minimum of 24 hours before testing.
- Apparatus & measurement:
- Thickness gauge with 10 mm ± 0.1 mm presser foot and scale division 0.01 mm; presser foot pressure 10 kPa ± 3 kPa.
- Tensile-testing machine complying with EN 10002‑2 (grade B accuracy), constant traverse rate 100 mm/min ± 10 mm/min. Prefer autographic recording or extensometry.
- Mark test length with reference marks (if using non-contact extensometer) and measure thickness at three points (centre + ends).
- Calculations & results:
- Tensile strength S = F / (W × t) - reported in MPa (force at break divided by cross-sectional area).
- Elongation at break E = 100 × (Lb − Lo) / Lo - reported as a percentage.
- Stress at a given elongation computed similarly using force at that elongation.
- Report averages for each property and include specimen description, median thickness and test date.
Applications
- Quality control and incoming inspection of outsole materials for footwear manufacturers.
- R&D comparisons of outsole compounds, formulations and constructions (polymeric, elastomeric, cellular, leather).
- Supplier specifications and conformity testing for product development, batch release or failure analysis.
- Useful to laboratories conducting footwear component testing and to standards compliance teams.
Related Standards
- EN 12803:2000 (origin of this method)
- EN 12222 (conditioning of footwear and components)
- EN 10002‑2 / ISO 7500‑1 (tensile machine verification)
- ISO 4661‑1 (sample/die preparation for rubber/thermoplastic)
- prEN 13400 / ISO 17709 (sampling location of components)
- ISO 37 (rubber tensile properties)
Keywords: ISO 22654, tensile strength, elongation, outsoles testing, footwear testing, dumb-bell test pieces, tensile-testing machine, specimen conditioning, EN 12803.
