ASTM D2212-00(2021)

Standard Test Method for Slit Tear Resistance of Leather

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is designed to measure the load required to tear leather at a slit cut perpendicular to its surface. Tanners and leather buyers have found that it gives an indication of the resistance of the cross-sectional thickness of leather to tearing. It is of particular value in estimating the durability of leather to withstand tearing stresses encountered in the manufacture of shoes, garments, and upholstered products. The thickness of the specimen and direction of slit relative to the backbone will affect the uniformity of the test results. This test method may not apply when the conditions of the test employed differ widely from those specified in the test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the slit tear resistance of light leathers such as shoe uppers, gloves, and upholstery. This test method does not apply to wet blue.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 59.140.30 - Leather and furs
• Technical Committee: D31 - Leather
• Drafting Committee: D31.07 - Physical Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1610-01(2013) - Standard Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1813-13 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1813-00(2010) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2209-00(2010) - Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1610-01(2007) - Standard Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1813-00(2005) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2209-00(2004) - Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2004
• Refers: ASTM D1610-01 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM D1610-00 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001
• Refers: ASTM D2209-00 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2000
• Refers: ASTM D1813-00 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather Test Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-May-2000

Overview

ASTM D2212-00(2021) - Standard Test Method for Slit Tear Resistance of Leather establishes a standardized procedure to determine the slit tear resistance of light leathers, such as those used in shoe uppers, gloves, and upholstery. Developed by ASTM, this international standard measures the load required to tear a leather specimen at a slit cut perpendicular to its surface, offering a reliable metric for evaluating leather durability and mechanical performance in various manufacturing applications. This standard aids tanners, leather buyers, and manufacturers in assessing the resistance of leather products to tearing stresses commonly encountered during fabrication and use.

Key Topics

• Purpose: Measures slit tear resistance to evaluate the mechanical strength of leather in preventing tears across its cross-sectional thickness.
• Test Specimens: Applies to light leathers, including shoe uppers, garment leathers, gloves, and upholstery. The method is not suitable for wet blue leather.
• Test Method: Involves cutting a specific slot in a leather specimen and determining the force needed to propagate a tear using designated testing equipment.
• Variables: Results can be influenced by specimen thickness, the direction of the slit relative to the backbone, and conditioning procedures.
• Reporting: Requires detailed documentation of specimen thickness, tearing force, and orientation of the leather sample relative to the backbone.
• Units: Standard measurements are in inch-pound units, with SI conversions provided for reference.

Applications

Adopting ASTM D2212-00(2021) offers practical value for stakeholders across the leather supply chain:

• Leather Manufacturers and Tanneries: Assess and compare the tear resistance of various leather types to ensure products meet end-use requirements for strength and durability.
• Footwear and Apparel Producers: Select appropriate leather materials for shoe uppers, garments, and gloves that will withstand the mechanical stresses during wear and use.
• Upholstery and Furniture Manufacturers: Verify that leathers used in seating and upholstered products can resist tearing from daily use and manufacturing processes.
• Quality Assurance and Procurement: Establish consistent criteria for evaluating and certifying the slit tear strength of incoming leather materials.
• Research and Development: Facilitate product development and benchmarking for innovative leather treatments and finishes aimed at enhancing tear resistance.

Related Standards

Professionals working with ASTM D2212-00(2021) may also reference these closely associated ASTM standards to ensure comprehensive quality testing of leather materials:

• ASTM D2209 - Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather
• ASTM D1813 - Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather
• ASTM D1610 - Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing

These standards collectively support a robust framework for testing leather’s physical properties, enabling consistency and reliability in product performance evaluation across global supply chains.

Summary

ASTM D2212-00(2021) is a critical tool for anyone involved in the testing, specification, or procurement of light leathers. By following this standardized method, organizations can ensure that their leather materials exhibit the necessary slit tear strength for intended footwear, garment, or upholstery applications, supporting product longevity, safety, and customer satisfaction. For manufacturers and quality assurance professionals, the consistent application of this standard not only streamlines material selection and validation processes but also aligns products with internationally recognized best practices in leather testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2212 − 00 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Slit Tear Resistance of Leather
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2212; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.1 slit tear resistance—the load required to tear the
cross-sectional thickness of the leather at a slit cut through the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the slit tear
leather by a die or a sharp knife.
resistance of light leathers such as shoe uppers, gloves, and
upholstery. This test method does not apply to wet blue.
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 4.1 This test method is designed to measure the load
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
required to tear leather at a slit cut perpendicular to its surface.
and are not considered standard.
Tanners and leather buyers have found that it gives an
indication of the resistance of the cross-sectional thickness of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
leather to tearing. It is of particular value in estimating the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- durability of leather to withstand tearing stresses encountered
in the manufacture of shoes, garments, and upholstered prod-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. ucts.Thethicknessofthespecimenanddirectionofslitrelative
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- to the backbone will affect the uniformity of the test results.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
This test method may not apply when the conditions of the test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
employed differ widely from those specified in the test method.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Apparatus
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Testing Machine, as described in Test Method D2209.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Thickness Gauge—A dead-weight type of thickness
gauge as described in Test Method D1813.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1610 Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Prod-
5.3 Specimen Holders—Two specimen holders, which are
ucts for Testing
fastened into the jaws of the testing machine and which support
D1813 Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Leather
the specimen during testing (see Fig. 1). The specimen holders
Test Specimens
shall be adjusted in the machine so that they are touching each
D2209 Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather
other.
3. Terminology
5.4 Die—Adie 1 in. (25.4 mm) wide by 2 in. (51 mm) long
that cuts a specimen while simultaneously cutting a slot in the
3.1 Definitions:
specimen (see Fig. 2).
6. Test Specimens
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D31 on Leather
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.07 on Physical Properties This
6.1 The specimen shall be 1 by 2 in. (25.4 by 51 mm), cut
test method was developed in cooperation with the American Leather Chemists
with the long dimension either parallel or perpendicular to the
Assn. (Standard Method E59 – 1965).
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
backbone (see Figs. 1 and 2).
approved in 1963. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2212 – 00 (2015).
DOI: 10.1520/D2212-00R21.
6.2 The specimen cut with the slit tear die shall have a slot
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7 3
⁄16 in. (0.4375 in. (11 mm)) long by ⁄16 in. (0.1875 in. (4.8
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mm)) wide tapered with a ⁄16-in. radius to a slit at each end of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. specimen as shown in Fig. 2.
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