Overview
EN ISO 14268:2023 - Leather: Determination of water vapour permeability specifies laboratory methods to measure how much water vapour passes through leather. The standard defines the test principle, apparatus, sample preparation options and two measurement procedures: Procedure A (standard method, used for dispute resolution) and Procedure B (accelerated method, aligned with ISO 20344 for routine production control).
This test is essential for assessing comfort, breathability and performance of leather used in footwear, garments, upholstery and technical applications.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: A leather specimen is clamped over a jar containing a solid desiccant (self‑indicating silica gel). The jar is rotated in a directed airstream; moisture absorbed by the desiccant is determined from the jar mass difference before and after the test.
- Apparatus highlights:
- Containers with neck internal diameter 30 mm ± 3 mm (typical height 70–90 mm).
- Vertically mounted turntable rotating at (75 ± 5) r/min with jar axes ~67 ± 2 mm from rotation axis.
- Fan with three inclined blades (~1 400 ± 100 r/min) positioned ~10 ± 5 mm from jar mouths.
- Self‑indicating silica gel (2–5 mm), balance to 0.001 g, stop clock, vernier callipers, P180 abrasive paper.
- Sampling & preparation:
- Minimum of three test pieces (sampling per ISO 2418).
- Ensure thickness ≤ 3.0 mm (ISO 2589).
- Pre‑treatments: abrasion with P180, flexing (20 000 cycles per ISO 5402‑1), or no pre‑treatment (preferred if none required by client).
- Seal specimens to jar mouth (beeswax or inert sealant).
- Procedures:
- Procedure A: Standard test; definitive method for disagreements.
- Procedure B: Accelerated method for routine production control; equivalent to ISO 20344.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Leather and fur manufacturers validating product breathability and quality.
- Footwear, apparel and upholstery designers assessing wearer comfort.
- Quality control and independent testing laboratories performing acceptance testing or forensic comparisons.
- R&D teams comparing tanning, finishing or coating effects on vapour permeability.
- Compliance officers and procurement teams requiring standardized test evidence.
Related standards
- ISO 2418 - Sampling location
- ISO 2419 - Sample preparation and conditioning
- ISO 2589 - Thickness determination
- ISO 5402‑1 - Flex resistance (flexometer method)
- ISO 20344 - Footwear - Test methods (referred for Procedure B)
Keywords: water vapour permeability, leather testing, EN ISO 14268:2023, ISO 14268:2023, permeability test, desiccant method, leather breathability, leather physical tests.
