BS 5131-2.7-1980 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS 5131-2.7-1980 — Methods of test for footwear and footwear materials. Solings. The preparation of test pieces from soling materials for physical testing. This document specifies procedures for producing uniform test sheets and cutting test pieces from manufactured soles, soling materials and mouldable or vulcanizable materials for subsequent physical testing.

Abstract

This section (Part 2.7) defines how to prepare test sheets and specimens from soling materials, including reduction of thickness of moulded soles, production of moulded test slabs, methods for producing test sheets from thicker materials, recommended time intervals between preparation and cutting, and cutting methods for test pieces. It provides dimensional and procedural guidance so that soling test results are reproducible and comparable across laboratories.

General information

• Status: Active / Current (listed as a confirmed/active section in catalogs and standards libraries).
• Publication date: 30 May 1980.
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI).
• ICS / categories: 61.060 — Footwear.
• Edition / version: BS 5131-2.7:1980 (national adoption label shown as STB BS 5131-2.7-1980 where applicable).
• Number of pages: 12 pages.

Scope

This part of BS 5131 applies to the preparation of test sheets and pieces used in physical testing of solings and soling materials. It covers procedures for: reducing the thickness of moulded soles and manufactured solings to obtain uniform test sheets; preparing moulded test slabs from injection-mouldable or vulcanizable compounds; producing test sheets from thicker materials; recommended waiting times between sheet preparation and cutting; and methods and tooling recommendations for cutting specimens suitable for the companion test methods referenced in other parts of BS 5131 and related standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and purpose: uniform specimen preparation to ensure reproducible physical test results.
• Thickness control: methods for reducing or normalizing sheet thickness prior to cutting test pieces.
• Preparation of moulded test slabs from mouldable and vulcanizable materials.
• Techniques for producing test sheets from thicker soling materials (including press/knife and trimming guidance).
• Specified time intervals between moulding/preparation and cutting to avoid changes in material properties during conditioning.
• Cutting methods, tooling recommendations and specimen dimensions for subsequent physical tests.

Typical use and users

Used by footwear test laboratories, quality control departments in shoe and sole manufacturing, materials R&D teams, certification bodies and test-house technicians who prepare specimens for physical tests (e.g., hardness, abrasion, tensile and flex tests) on solings and soling materials. It is also referenced by standards developers and conformity assessment bodies when specifying specimen-preparation protocols for soling tests.

Related standards

Related parts of the BS 5131 series (other sections on uppers, components, complete footwear and specific test methods), and other test-series such as BS 903 and parts of BS 2782 where specimen preparation or test methods overlap. Individual sections of BS 5131 (for example Parts addressing flexing, adhesion and component tests) are commonly used together with Part 2.7 specimen-preparation procedures.

Keywords

BS 5131, STB BS 5131-2.7-1980, footwear test methods, solings, specimen preparation, moulded test slabs, thickness reduction, cutting test pieces, BSI, 61.060 Footwear.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is Part 2.7 of BS 5131 (Methods of test for footwear and footwear materials) specifying how to prepare test sheets and specimens from soling materials for physical testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Procedures for producing uniform test sheets from manufactured soles and soling materials (including reduction of thickness), preparation of moulded slabs, time intervals between preparation and cutting, and cutting methods and specimen dimensions for subsequent physical tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Footwear test laboratories, shoe and sole manufacturers' quality teams, materials R&D, and conformity assessment bodies that perform or witness physical tests on solings and soling materials.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is listed in standards catalogs as BS 5131-2.7:1980 (status shown as active/confirmed in several libraries). Users should check national adoption records (e.g., STB label where applicable) or BSI listings for any later amendments or revisions before relying on it for regulatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one section of the BS 5131 series (Methods of test for footwear and footwear materials). Other parts address uppers, components and complete-footwear tests and are commonly used alongside Part 2.7.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Solings, specimen preparation, moulded test slabs, cutting test pieces, thickness reduction, footwear testing, BS 5131.