Testing technology for workwear and safety footwear

Modern workwear and safety footwear must meet the highest standards for safety, durability, and comfort. In addition to compliance with national and international standards, the focus is on high product quality and a long service life. Against this backdrop, high-performance testing systems based on universal testing machines play a central role. The goal is to use the results from material and component testing specifically for product development, quality assurance, and product improvement in order to increase the performance and quality of products over the long term.

The testing systems used are equipped with various clamping devices as well as standard-compliant test fixtures. This allows for both material testing and complex testing of components and finished products.

Material Testing on Leather and Coated Textiles

Determination of Tear Resistance

Tear resistance is an important parameter for assessing the durability of leather and coated textiles. For leather, the test is conducted in accordance with DIN EN ISO 3377-2; for coated textiles, in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4674-1.

For this purpose, a test specimen prepared in accordance with the standard and featuring a defined notch is clamped into the universal testing machine and pulled apart at a constant speed. During this process, the existing tear propagates in a controlled manner while the required force is continuously recorded.

The LabMaster testing software controls the test sequence, records force-displacement curves, and automatically determines parameters such as the maximum and average tear propagation force. All results are documented and can be used directly for development and quality assurance processes.

The major advantage of this test method lies in its high practical relevance. It does not evaluate the initiation of damage, but rather the behavior of an already damaged material. This allows for a reliable assessment of how resistant a material is to further crack propagation.

Testing of Safety Footwear

In addition to material testing, universal testing machines can also be used to test complete pairs of safety footwear and individual shoe components.

Peel Strength Between Sole and Upper

The test according to DIN EN ISO 20344 determines the peel strength between the shoe sole and the upper. A durable bond is crucial to prevent the sole from detaching and thus ensure the safety shoe remains functional.

Compression Test of the Toe Cap

According to DIN EN ISO 22568, metallic and non-metallic toe caps are tested for their compressive strength. This test simulates the impact of falling or heavy objects to evaluate the protective effect of the toe cap.

Puncture resistance test of the sole

Puncture resistance is tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20344 using a standardized test nail. In this test, the shoe sole is subjected to a defined force at a specified speed until either the prescribed test force is reached or the sole is penetrated. The measured penetration force indicates whether the safety shoe meets the requirements of the respective protection class and provides reliable protection against nails, shards, or other sharp objects.

Heel Energy Absorption Test

Also in accordance with DIN EN ISO 20344, the cushioning effect of the heel area is examined. For this purpose, a standardized test ram applies a force of up to 5,000 N to the shoe. The test software calculates the energy absorption capacity based on the recorded force-displacement curve. High energy absorption reduces strain on the musculoskeletal system and contributes significantly to wearing comfort.

A Testing System for Development and Quality Assurance

The testing systems from Hegewald & Peschke enable end-to-end evaluation from raw materials to the finished safety shoe.

The test results not only serve to verify compliance with standards but also provide valuable information for the development of new products. Weak points can be identified early on, materials can be selected specifically, and designs can be systematically optimized.

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