What Is Abrasion?
Abrasion resistance test is an experiment in which the volume or mass loss is measured by rubbing the sample at a certain distance against a standard abrasive surface under a defined load. Rotary roller (DIN wear) methods are used in rubber, Taber or Martindale methods are used in textiles and coatings.
Purpose of Abrasion
The aim is to comparatively determine the material's resistance to abrasion.
Which Products Is Abrasion Applied To?
- Rubber sole and coatings
- Belt and hose outer surfaces
- Coated surfaces
- Textile and flooring materials
In Which Sectors Is Abrasion Used?
Standards Related to Abrasion
- ISO 4649 (rubber, rotary cylinder)
- ASTM D5963
- ISO 5470-1 (Taber)
- ISO 12947 (Martindale)
Abrasion Conditions
- Method
- Rotary cylinder (DIN), Taber rotary disc or Martindale
- Load
- Defined in the standard; according to method and material
- Abradant
- Standard sandpaper or abrasive disc; calibrated with reference material
- Distance/cycle
- Rubbing distance or number of cycles defined in the standard
Equipment for Abrasion
- Rotary roller wear device
- Taber and/or Martindale wear device
- Analytical balance
- Reference rubber and standard abrasive stock
Sample Requirements for Abrasion
- Sample dimensions and thickness must comply with the standard
- The abrasive surface must be calibrated with reference material
- Sample and reference should be tested in the same batch
- The number of specimens is defined in the standard
Duration of Abrasion
Typically 2–4 days.
Abrasion Procedure
- 1The abrasive surface is calibrated with the reference material.
- 2The sample is weighed or measured.
- 3Wear is applied at defined load and distance.
- 4The sample is cleaned and weighed again.
- 5Volume or mass loss is calculated.
- 6If necessary, a relative index is given relative to the reference.
Abrasion Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is the maximum volume loss or minimum wear index given in the specification.
Evaluation of Results
The abrasive surface dulls over time; Results obtained without calibration with reference material cannot be compared between series. The results of different methods (DIN, Taber, Martindale) are not interchangeable.
Abrasion Report
- Standard and method applied
- Load, distance/cycle
- Abrasive calibration and reference result
- Volume or mass loss
- Relative wear index
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Material and product specifications
Footwear and Leather Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Abrasion test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Footwear and leather testing assesses the physical durability and chemical safety of a product together. Footwear is a MULTI-COMPONENT product: the sole, upper, lining, insole, heel and bonding line are tested both individually and together. One component being good does not mean the product is good; failure usually appears where components join.
On the physical side, the most common field failure is SOLE-UPPER SEPARATION. Bond strength is therefore the most critical measurement in the field and is a direct indicator of the bonding process (surface preparation, adhesive selection, pressing conditions). Next come sole abrasion and flex resistance: a shoe is flexed hundreds of thousands of times over its life.
Slip resistance is the most important parameter for safety and its measurement depends on the surface: wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor give different results. Slip resistance is therefore reported not as a single number but with the surface and the direction of slip stated.
A separate body of work applies to protective footwear, and this is the most commercially critical distinction. Toe protection (impact and compression), penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, electrical insulation and fuel resistance are assessed under personal protective equipment requirements. CE is mandatory for these products and the category must be chosen correctly; an ordinary footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
On the chemical side, CHROMIUM (VI) has a special place in leather. The chromium (III) used in tanning can oxidise into chromium (VI) during storage and ageing; that is, a leather that was compliant at production may exceed the limit months later. The time of measurement and the history of the sample therefore affect the result, and measurement after ageing may be required.
Other chemical items are aromatic amines from azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, dimethyl fumarate and phthalates. These items come from REACH restrictions and brand restricted substance lists.
There is NO CE marking on consumer footwear; the obligation runs through material composition labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions and general product safety. Labelling has a rule of its own: the type of material used for the upper, the lining and insole and the outer sole is shown by pictograms.
Comfort and functional claims (waterproofness, moisture management, breathability) are supported by separate tests, and these claims require evidence if used in marketing copy.
Method groups in this field
Bonding and strength
Sole-upper bond strength, seam strength, heel attachment strength, strap and buckle strength.
Abrasion and flexing
Sole abrasion, flex resistance (dry and at low temperature), insole abrasion.
Slip resistance
Forward and backward slip measurements on wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor.
Protective properties
Toe impact and compression resistance, penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, fuel and chemical resistance.
Leather chemistry
Chromium (VI), azo dye amines, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, pH and fat content.
Comfort and function
Waterproofness, water vapour permeability, moisture management, colour fastness and the effect of perspiration.
Commonly confused in this field
- Footwear claiming a protective function falls under PPE legislation and requires CE; a consumer footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
- A chromium (VI) result depends on the age of the sample and its storage conditions; leather compliant at production may exceed the limit later.
- Slip resistance is not a single number; it cannot be interpreted without stating the surface and the direction.
- A result obtained for one component does not cover the whole product; the joints are tested separately.
- Labelling rules run on material pictograms; an incorrect pictogram causes problems in customs and market surveillance.
- A waterproofness claim is not verifiable unless the test used and the number of flex cycles after which it was measured are stated.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list
- The PPE category and CE file for protective footwear
- Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
- Root cause analysis of field complaints (bond opening, sole separation)
- Substantiation of functional claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Abrasion
According to which standard is Abrasion made?
Abrasion is executed in scope ISO 4649 (rubber, rotary cylinder), ASTM D5963, ISO 5470-1 (Taber) and ISO 12947 (Martindale). The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does Abrasion apply to?
Mainly applied to Rubber sole and coatings, Belt and hose outer surfaces, Coated surfaces and Textile and flooring materials. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is Abrasion done?
The determining parameters are: Method — Rotary cylinder (DIN), Taber rotary disc or Martindale, Load — Defined in the standard; according to method and material and Abradant — Standard sandpaper or abrasive disc; calibrated with reference material. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for Abrasion?
Sample dimensions and thickness must comply with the standard, The abrasive surface must be calibrated with reference material and Sample and reference should be tested in the same batch. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does Abrasion take?
Typically 2–4 days. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the Abrasion result called "appropriate"?
The acceptance criterion is the maximum volume loss or minimum wear index given in the specification.