Overview
ISO 17230:2006 specifies a standardized laboratory method for determining the water penetration pressure of leather. The test measures the hydrostatic pressure required to force droplets of water through a leather sample and is used to quantify leather resistance to water penetration under controlled conditions. The method was prepared by the IULTCS Physical Test Commission and published as an international standard (also published as EN 14289).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: a leather sample is clamped over a water-filled cup and the water pressure is increased until droplets appear on the exposed surface. The pressure at which the third droplet appears is recorded as the water penetration pressure.
- Apparatus and materials:
- Cup: non‑corrosive metal cylinder, internal diameter 40.0 mm ± 0.2 mm.
- Annular clamp: internal diameter 40.0 mm ± 0.2 mm, capable of holding the sample without slippage at 65 kPa.
- Stiff wire gauze (eight holes per 25 mm) to prevent distension.
- Pressure system providing a uniform increase of 3.0 kPa/min ± 0.3 kPa/min up to a maximum of 65 kPa.
- Distilled/deionized water meeting ISO 3696 (grade 3).
- Press knife for cutting circular test pieces (optional if whole skin/hide used).
- Sampling and conditioning:
- Sampling per ISO 2418; sample prep per ISO 2419.
- Tests carried out at 20 °C ± 2 °C or 23 °C ± 2 °C. No special humidity conditioning required.
- End point and expression of results:
- End point is appearance of the third water globule; results expressed to the nearest 0.1 kPa.
- If no failure at 65 kPa, report as “greater than 65 kPa”.
- If penetration appears as damp patches rather than discrete droplets, report mode of failure as a comment; results below ~2.5 kPa are of limited discriminatory value.
- Reporting requirements: include reference to ISO 17230:2006, measured pressure (kPa), temperature, failure mode, any deviations from the method, and full sample identification.
Applications and users
ISO 17230 is used for:
- Quality control and acceptance testing in tanneries and leather finishing operations.
- Product development and comparative assessment of waterproofing treatments and finishes.
- Compliance testing for leather components in footwear, apparel, upholstery and leather goods.
- Independent testing laboratories and materials research groups evaluating hydrostatic resistance.
Typical users: tanneries, footwear and leather goods manufacturers, third‑party testing labs, QA/QC teams, and materials scientists.
Related standards
- ISO 2418 - sampling location for leather
- ISO 2419 - sample preparation and conditioning
- ISO 3696 - water for analytical laboratory use (grade 3)
- EN 14289 - equivalent publication referenced in the standard
Keywords: ISO 17230, water penetration pressure, leather testing, hydrostatic test, leather waterproofing, physical and mechanical tests.