ISO 20872-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 20872-2018 — Footwear — Test methods for outsoles — Tear strength. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method to determine the tear strength of footwear outsoles (regardless of material) using trouser-shaped test pieces; it is intended for use in product development, quality control and comparative testing of outsole materials and finished outsoles.

Abstract

ISO 20872:2018 defines the procedure for measuring the force required to propagate a tear in outsole material using trouser test specimens. The method covers specimen preparation, conditioning, test execution on a tensile/dynamometer, data treatment (including determination of a representative peak force) and reporting of results (typically expressed relative to specimen thickness). The document replaces the earlier 2001 edition.

General information

• Status: Published (Edition 2, confirmed).
• Publication date: 13 March 2018 (Edition 2, 2018).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 61.060 — Footwear.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2018).
• Number of pages: 6.

Scope

ISO 20872:2018 applies to determination of the tear strength of outsoles and outsole materials irrespective of their composition, using trouser-shaped test pieces taken from the outsole or material. The standard specifies specimen preparation, conditioning, test procedure on a tensile testing machine, data selection and reporting requirements so results are comparable between laboratories and suppliers. It supersedes ISO 20872:2001.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle: trouser (split) test — measure force required to propagate a tear in a trouser-shaped specimen while recording force versus extension.
• Specimen preparation: standardised trouser-shaped pieces cut from the outsole or material, with original surface where relevant; a defined number of replicates are tested.
• Conditioning: specimens are conditioned to a standard atmosphere before testing (standard laboratory temperature and relative humidity for footwear testing).
• Test equipment and speed: testing is carried out on a calibrated tensile/dynamometer; many laboratories use a traverse rate around 100 mm/min for trouser tear testing (as used in related footwear test practice).
• Data treatment and expression of results: peak tearing forces are selected (statistical/median rules apply where multiple peaks occur), results are normalised relative to specimen thickness (commonly reported as N/mm) and the mean of specified determinations is reported.
• Reporting requirements: reports shall identify specimen origin, thickness, test conditions, measured forces and the method of calculating the reported tear strength, plus any deviations from the standard.

Typical use and users

Primary users are outsole/material suppliers, footwear manufacturers, independent testing laboratories and R&D teams. The method is used for material selection, quality control, incoming inspection of components, supplier conformance checks and comparative R&D studies of outsole formulations and constructions. Procurement and compliance teams also use the data to write specifications and acceptance criteria.

Related standards

ISO 20872:2018 is part of ISO/TC 216 footwear test-method work. Other related footwear/component tests include ISO 20871 (abrasion resistance of outsoles), ISO 20874 (needle tear tests for outsoles), ISO 20875 (delamination/split-tear) and EN/ISO test methods used in footwear performance standards (these are often referenced together in product specifications and normative tables). The 2018 edition of ISO 20872 replaces ISO 20872:2001.

Keywords

outsole, tear strength, trouser test, footwear testing, N/mm, ISO 20872, ISO/TC 216, specimen conditioning, tensile test

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20872:2018 is an International Standard that specifies a laboratory test method for measuring the tear strength of footwear outsoles using trouser-shaped specimens.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, conditioning, test execution on a tensile/dynamometer, selection/treatment of tearing-force data and reporting of results for outsoles and outsole materials. The method is material‑agnostic (applies irrespective of outsole composition).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Footwear component suppliers, shoe manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, R&D departments and procurement/compliance professionals who need objective tear‑resistance data for specifications and quality control.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 20872:2018 is the current (2nd) edition published in March 2018; the ISO record shows this edition as published and later confirmed in review (it replaced the 2001 edition).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the ISO footwear/component test-method family managed by ISO/TC 216 and is commonly used alongside other ISO footwear standards (e.g., for abrasion, needle tear, delamination and flex resistance).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Tear strength, trouser test, outsole, footwear testing, specimen conditioning, tensile test, N/mm, ISO 20872.