Abstract

A provisional test method has been developed to determine the relative suitability of upper leather intended for use in the Direct Moulded Sole process of shoe-making. In this test a heated flat plate is applied to the flesh side of the leather, and a heated ridge is applied to the grain. Three leather samples are compressed to reduce their thickness between the ridge and plate to 40, 45, and 50 0/ respectively of their initial thicknesses. After they have been reconditioned, the Lastometer distension of the nip line area is measured and compared with that of controls. As far as possible, results from this test have been checked against behaviour in the shoe factory; agreement seems to be satisfactory.