Key Information About Flexometers

A flexometer is a device used to test the crack resistance and flexibility properties of leather and synthetic leather products under sub-zero temperatures or room temperature. This test is crucial in the quality control process as it measures the durability of products during stretching movements. Flexometers are widely used in the leather, footwear, furniture, and automotive industries and are essential for evaluating material performance through internationally standardized testing procedures.

Flexometer Testing Method

The flexometer test analyzes the flexibility and durability properties of materials. The testing process is as follows:

• The material is held under a specific tensile load.
• The sample is bent in both directions at a certain angle from the vertical position.
• This process reveals how the material behaves under repeated stretching movements.

Purpose: The goal is to analyze the material’s crack resistance, flexibility limits, and durability over time. This helps determine the product's performance under challenging conditions.

Conditioning and Testing Environments

Flexometer tests can be conducted in various ways depending on environmental conditions:

• Room Temperature Test: This test, conducted at normal room temperature, measures the material's durability under standard conditions.
• Cold Environment Test: These tests analyze the material's durability at low temperatures, typically performed at temperatures as low as -20°C.

Importance: Conditioning allows for the analysis of how the material will behave under different temperature conditions. For example, a shoe sole may lose flexibility or crack in low temperatures.

Production Areas Where Flexometers Are Used

Flexometer tests are widely used across various industries:

• Footwear Manufacturing: Tests the flexibility and crack resistance of shoe soles and upper materials.
• Automotive Industry: Evaluates the durability of leather and synthetic leather materials used in car interiors.
• Furniture Industry: Tests the durability of upholstery materials used in seating groups, chairs, and other furniture.

Bag and Accessories Manufacturing: Conducts quality control on leather and synthetic leather materials used in bags, belts, and similar products.

Relevant International Standards

Flexometer tests are conducted in accordance with the following standards:

• ISO 20344: Specifies testing methods for personal protective footwear. This standard is widely used in footwear manufacturing for quality control processes.
• TS EN ISO 20344: The Turkish adaptation of the ISO 20344 standard.
• DIN 53351: A standard used to measure the permanent flexing behavior of synthetic leather and similar materials.
• ISO 32100: Contains detailed testing methods for analyzing the cracking and stretching behavior of leather and synthetic leather materials.
• ISO 17694: Covers physical and mechanical tests for footwear and accessory materials.

These standards ensure consistency in testing processes and guarantee quality in the global market.

Conclusion

Flexometers play a critical role in the quality control of leather and synthetic leather products. These devices analyze the crack resistance and flexibility limits of materials to evaluate the products’ compliance with international standards. Properly applied flexometer tests contribute to the production of high-quality products that offer durability and long-term use.