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Physical and chemical testing.

Finished footwear and raw materials, assessed physically and chemically in our own laboratory and at external laboratories, against the requirements you set.

What we testEnquire
A Western boot prepared for testing in the AFPL laboratory

What we test

Your materials tested,
then your footwear.

Both are assessed physically and chemically, with tests selected for the material, the product and your requirements.

A finished work boot in a laboratory test chamber
01

Finished footwear

Assessed against your specification and intended use, for performance and for the materials present in the shoe.

Physical testingPerformance of the finished pair
  • Flex
  • Rub and abrasion
  • Sole bond strength
  • Slip resistance
  • Water resistance
  • Safety-toe requirements, where applicable
  • Strap attachment strength, external
  • Small parts, sharp points and sharp edges, external
  • In-house ASTM pre-testing for relevant footwear programmes
Chemical testingRestricted substances, at external laboratories
  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Phthalates
  • Chromium VI ageing
  • Tests selected for the material, product and customer requirement
A leather sample under a laboratory tester
02

Raw materials

Tested to support sourcing, development and production decisions, before a material is used in a collection.

Physical testingHow a material will perform
  • Abrasion and Martindale abrasion
  • Flex resistance
  • Tear strength
  • Thickness and weight
  • Colour fastness to rubbing and perspiration
  • Seam strength of stitched upper and lining assemblies
  • Corrosion of metal components
Chemical testingRestricted substances in materials and components
  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Phthalates
  • Chromium VI ageing
  • Migration testing, where required
  • Metal spot testing, where required

In-house laboratory

Pre-tested,
in our own lab.

Our programme covers wear, bond, grip, water and safety-toe performance. In-house ASTM pre-testing supports relevant footwear programmes, so questions are answered early in yours.

  • Flex, rub and abrasionHow materials and the finished pair stand up to wear.
  • Sole bond strengthHow well the sole and components hold together.
  • Slip and water resistanceGrip underfoot, and protection from water.
  • Safety-toe requirementsWhere applicable, for your work programmes.
Work boots
A waterproof upper held above the water-resistance test tank
A footwear material sample placed in a laboratory analyser

Chemical assessment

Restricted substances,
assessed.

Lead, cadmium, phthalates and chromium VI ageing, with migration and metal spot testing where required, selected for the material, the product and your requirement.

External laboratories

Backed by independent
laboratories.

They complement our in-house testing across performance, material characteristics and restricted substances, with tests chosen for your programme.

01

Planet Analysis

Abrasion resistance and sole bond strength.

02

Bureau Veritas

Sole bond, strap attachment and seam strength; abrasion, tear, thickness and weight; colour fastness; corrosion, lead, cadmium, migration and metal spot testing.

03

SGS India

Water penetration, lead and phthalate testing.

04

Intertek India

Cadmium, chromium VI ageing, lead and phthalate testing; small parts, sharp points and sharp edges.

The programme includes SATRA methods for strap attachment, seam strength, abrasion and colour fastness.

05Next stageBranding and packagingFinished in your name
A technician placing finished footwear in a laboratory ageing oven
Prefer email?info@afplglobal.com

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Tell us what
you need.

Share a few details and our team will be in touch.

Add market and quantity
We reply from info@afplglobal.com.

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How AFPL makes itQuality control and AQLChecked before releaseCategoriesWork bootsWaterproof, safety toe, anti-punctureCompanyCertifications and recognitionStandards and recognition