ISO 20874-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 20874-2018 — Footwear — Test methods for outsoles — Needle tear strength. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method to determine the needle-tear strength of footwear outsoles regardless of outsole material, providing a repeatable procedure for specimen preparation, test apparatus and reporting of results.

Abstract

ISO 20874:2018 defines a needle-tear test for outsoles (the needle tear strength / stitch-tear resistance test). It gives requirements for specimen selection and preparation, the test apparatus and conditions, the test procedure and the form of test report so laboratories and manufacturers can measure and compare needle tear performance of outsole materials and constructions.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed).
• Publication date: March 2018 (Edition 2 — published 2018).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 61.060 — Footwear.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2018). The publication was last reviewed/confirmed in 2023 and remains current.
• Number of pages: 4.

Scope

ISO 20874:2018 applies to outsoles of footwear and specifies a method to determine needle tear strength (resistance to tear initiated by a sewing needle or similar). The method is material‑independent and intended to be used on finished outsole specimens or representative test pieces prepared from outsoles; it does not set performance pass/fail limits but provides the measurement procedure and reporting requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of needle tear strength and the principle of the test (tear initiated by a needle and measured as the maximum tearing force).
• Specimen preparation and conditioning (sampling location, cutting to specified dimensions and atmospheric conditioning prior to test as referenced in footwear conditioning standards).
• Test apparatus and calibration — use of a calibrated tensile/testing machine, needle/clamping fixture and thickness gauge; reference to calibration and verification standards for force-measuring machines.
• Test procedure details (needle insertion, test speed and test sequence), recording of maximum force and normalization by specimen thickness to report tear strength (expressed in N/mm or equivalent).
• Number of test pieces, repeatability notes and how results should be reported (sample description, test conditions, individual results and mean value, any deviations from the specified procedure).

Typical use and users

Used by footwear manufacturers, component suppliers, independent testing laboratories, quality/inspection teams and R&D departments to characterise outsole resistance to needle-initiated tearing. Also referenced by compliance and certification bodies when assessing outsole durability and for comparative material evaluation during product development and incoming inspection.

Related standards

ISO 20874:2018 is part of the footwear test-method family and is commonly used alongside: ISO 20344 (test methods for protective footwear), ISO 20345/20346/20347 (protective and occupational footwear requirements), ISO 18454 / ISO 17709 (conditioning and sampling of footwear test pieces) and ISO 7500-1 (calibration/verification of force-measuring machines). It revises and replaces ISO 20874:2001.

Keywords

needle tear strength; outsole; footwear testing; ISO 20874; test methods; specimen conditioning; tensile testing; ISO/TC 216; tear resistance.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20874:2018 is an international test-method standard titled "Footwear — Test methods for outsoles — Needle tear strength" that specifies how to measure needle-initiated tear resistance of outsoles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen selection and preparation, required apparatus and machine calibration references, the step-by-step needle-tear test procedure, measurement and calculation of needle tear strength and the required contents of the test report. It does not define pass/fail performance limits.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Footwear manufacturers, outsole and component suppliers, third‑party testing laboratories, R&D teams, quality assurance professionals and certification bodies use this standard to quantify and compare tear resistance of outsole materials and constructions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 20874:2018 (Edition 2) is the current edition; it supersedes ISO 20874:2001. The publication was reviewed and confirmed in 2023 and remains current.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the footwear testing family of ISO standards (managed by ISO/TC 216) and is intended to be used in conjunction with other footwear test and conditioning standards (for example ISO 20344, ISO 17709 and related calibration/conditioning standards).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Needle tear strength, outsole, footwear testing, tear resistance, specimen conditioning, tensile machine, ISO 20874.