ISO 22288-2006 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 22288:2006 — Leather — Physical and mechanical tests — Determination of flex resistance by the vamp flex method. Specifies a laboratory test method to determine the flex (bending) resistance of leather and surface finishes using the vamp‑flex apparatus and procedure for wet or dry specimens (applicable to leather below 3.0 mm thickness).

Abstract

ISO 22288:2006 defines the vamp flex test: a leather test piece is folded grain outwards over two inverted V‑shaped clamps and flexed by reciprocating movement to produce creasing; the specimen is examined periodically for damage to determine flex resistance under wet or dry conditions. The standard gives apparatus dimensions, oscillation parameters, sampling and test procedure and reporting requirements. It was issued as a single‑part method and has since been incorporated into the ISO 5402 series.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn — superseded by ISO 5402‑2:2015
• Publication date: 15 September 2006 (Edition 1)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 59.140.30 — Leather and furs
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2006)
• Number of pages: 5 (ISO original document)

Scope

This standard applies to the determination of the wet or dry flex resistance of leather and finishes applied to leather. It is intended for all types of leather with thicknesses below 3.0 mm. The method specifies the required apparatus (inverted V clamps with defined geometry and oscillation stroke and frequency), sample preparation and conditioning, test procedure (folding, flexing cycles, periodic inspection) and test reporting.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the vamp flex test principle and crease patterns produced by the method.
• Apparatus specifications: inverted V blocks/clamps geometry, 40° ±1° clamp angle, tip radius and minimum clamp separation, reciprocating stroke and oscillation rate (typical stroke ~19 mm, ~300 cycles/min ±30).
• Sampling, sample preparation and conditioning referencing standard leather sampling and conditioning practices.
• Procedure for wet and dry testing, periodic inspection criteria and determination of failure or end‑point.
• Test report requirements: specimen identification, conditioning, apparatus settings, number of cycles to failure or observation results, and any deviations from the method.
• Applicability limits: intended for leather < 3.0 mm thickness and for finished leathers; not a replacement for other flex methods where different specimen geometries or thickness ranges apply.

Typical use and users

Used by tanneries, footwear and leather‑goods manufacturers, quality control and testing laboratories, product developers and research organisations to assess leather durability and finish performance under repeated flexing. Also used by standards bodies and certification organisations when specifying flex resistance requirements for leather products.

Related standards

ISO 22288:2006 has been superseded by ISO 5402‑2:2015 (Leather — Determination of flex resistance — Part 2: Vamp flex method). Related documents and references commonly used with this method include ISO 2418 (sampling location), ISO 2419 (sample preparation and conditioning) and ISO 3696 (water for laboratory use). The method was previously published in IULTCS/IUP 39 and has equivalence with earlier EN adoptions (e.g., EN 13335).

Keywords

vamp flex, flex resistance, leather testing, vamp‑flex method, leather durability, flexometer, wet flex, dry flex, IULTCS, leather finishes

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 22288:2006 is an international test method that defines the vamp flex procedure for measuring the flex (bending) resistance of leather and surface finishes under repeated folding cycles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus geometry and settings, sample preparation and conditioning, the flexing procedure (grain outwards over inverted V clamps), inspection intervals, failure criteria and reporting for wet and dry leather specimens up to 3.0 mm thick.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tanneries, footwear and leather goods manufacturers, independent test labs, product development teams and standards committees use the method to evaluate material durability and to support product specifications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 22288:2006 has been withdrawn and superseded by ISO 5402‑2:2015 (Part 2 of the ISO 5402 series). Users should reference ISO 5402‑2:2015 for the current vamp flex method and any updates or clarifications introduced since 2006.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. The vamp flex method is now part of the ISO 5402 series (Determination of flex resistance), which also includes other flex test methods (for example, flexometer methods) and related parts covering different procedures and apparatus.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: vamp flex, flex resistance, leather testing, leather durability, repeated flexing, leather finishes, IULTCS.