ISO 17229-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17229:2016 — Leather — Physical and mechanical tests — Determination of water vapour absorption. Specifies a laboratory method to determine the amount of water vapour a leather specimen absorbs (expressed in mg/cm²), primarily for evaluation of comfort properties in footwear uppers and linings.

Abstract

ISO 17229:2016 defines a standardized procedure in which a leather test piece is exposed to water vapour in a sealed container for a fixed period and the resulting mass gain is measured to calculate water vapour absorption. The method is applicable to all types of leather but is especially relevant for leathers used in footwear uppers and linings.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed in ISO review cycle).
• Publication date: 15 February 2016 (Edition 2, 2016).
• Publisher: ISO — International Organization for Standardization.
• ICS / categories: 59.140.30 (Leather and furs).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2016).
• Number of pages: 5 (ISO published document).

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory test to determine the intrinsic capacity of leather to absorb water vapour. It is intended for use on all leather types but has particular application to materials intended for footwear uppers and linings where moisture handling and wearer comfort are important. The clause structure covers normative references, principle, apparatus, sampling and preparation, procedure, expression of results, and test reporting.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: sample clamped over a sealed container holding distilled water so that only water vapour contacts the leather; mass gain after exposure gives water vapour absorption (mg/cm²).
• Exposure time: defined as an 8-hour test period (results expressed per 8 h when combined with permeability data).
• Test conditions and apparatus: controlled laboratory temperature (commonly 20 °C ±2 °C or 23 °C ±2 °C in national adoptions), specified container dimensions, impermeable sealing plate, precision balance (readability typically 0,001 g) and tooling to cut test pieces to specified area.
• Sampling and preparation: test pieces are cut and conditioned according to relevant leather sampling and conditioning references (see normative references in the standard).
• Expression of results: water vapour absorption reported in mg/cm²; an informative annex describes combining absorption with permeability to calculate a water vapour number.

Typical use and users

Used by leather testing laboratories, footwear manufacturers, quality assurance and R&D teams in the leather industry, and certification bodies assessing comfort-related properties of leather products (notably footwear uppers and linings). Laboratories use this test to characterise materials, compare processes/finishes and support product specifications.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside other leather test methods and footwear test standards, for example ISO 14268 (water vapour permeability / related calculations) and ISO 20344 (test methods for footwear). National and regional adoptions exist as EN ISO 17229 and various national publications.

Keywords

water vapour absorption; leather testing; footwear; lining; comfort; mg/cm²; permeability; laboratory method; ISO 17229; IULTCS.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17229:2016 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory method to determine the water vapour absorption capacity of leather specimens.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the principle, required apparatus, sampling and preparation, test procedure (an 8-hour exposure to water vapour), expression of results (mg/cm²) and reporting requirements. It also includes an informative annex on combining absorption with permeability to produce a water vapour number.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Leather testing labs, footwear and leather product manufacturers, R&D groups, and conformity assessment bodies assessing moisture-management and comfort characteristics of leather.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17229:2016 is the second edition (2016) and replaced the 2002 edition; ISO records show the 2016 edition was reviewed and confirmed in a subsequent five-year review cycle (confirmed in 2021), so the 2016 text remains current until formally revised.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the suite of ISO leather physical and mechanical test methods and is often used in conjunction with standards for permeability and other leather tests (for example ISO 14268 and related EN ISO documents).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Water vapour absorption, leather testing, footwear comfort, test method, mg/cm², permeability, ISO 17229.