ASTM D6183-00 (2025) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D6183-00(2025) — Standard Test Method for Tackiness of Finish on Leather. This short (2-page) test method describes a laboratory procedure to evaluate the tendency of cloth or other materials to adhere to a finished leather surface (i.e., a measure of finish tackiness). The method is intended for finished leather only and does not apply to wet blue.

Abstract

This standard defines a simple, reproducible conditioning and test procedure used to indicate the tackiness of leather finishes. It specifies the specimen conditioning, apparatus (including a circulating oven for specified conditioning temperatures), and the observation/assessment steps that provide an indication of finish tackiness rather than an absolute pass/fail numerical requirement. The document is concise (2 pages) and was reapproved for the 2025 publication cycle.

General information

• Status: Active — reapproved (reaffirmed) 2025.
• Publication date: 01 August 2025 (reapproval date / edition year shown as 2025).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 59.140.10 (Processes and auxiliary materials — leather).
• Edition / version: Designation shown as D6183‑00(2025) / D6183‑00R25 (reapproval notation).
• Number of pages: 2 pages (concise test method).

Scope

The standard is intended for use on finished leather to evaluate the tendency of cloth (or similar flexible materials) to adhere to the leather finish; it explicitly excludes wet blue leather. It is a procedure-focused method that provides an indication of tackiness under specified conditioning and test conditions and does not substitute for safety, health, or environmental assessments that users must perform separately.

Key topics and requirements

• Purpose: qualitative/indicative assessment of finish tackiness on leather surfaces.
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: specified conditioning (including use of a circulating oven at defined temperature) to provide reproducible test conditions.
• Apparatus: simple laboratory equipment described (conditioning oven, test cloth/specimen handling); the standard is procedural rather than instrument-intensive.
• Procedure: apply/press standard cloth or material to the finished leather after conditioning and note tendency for adhesion (observational/ comparative criteria rather than a numeric pass/fail threshold).
• Limitations: applies only to finished leather (not wet blue); users must follow appropriate safety and environmental practices when performing the test.

Typical use and users

Commonly used by tanneries, leather finish formulators, quality control and inspection laboratories, footwear and upholstery manufacturers, and research or materials testing laboratories to check finish performance (e.g., to avoid problems such as fabric sticking during manufacturing or in-service use). Standards committees and procurement/specification writers may reference the method when specifying finish performance checks.

Related standards

Other ASTM test methods and practices under Committee D31 (Leather) that are commonly used alongside D6183 include methods for tensile strength, thickness, and other leather physical properties (for example ASTM D2209 — tensile strength of leather, ASTM D1813 — measuring thickness of leather test specimens). Users typically reference a set of D31 series test methods when performing a full battery of leather evaluations.

Keywords

leather; tackiness; finish; finish tack; adhesion; D31 (Leather); D6183; conditioning; leather testing.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D6183-00(2025) is a short ASTM test method titled "Standard Test Method for Tackiness of Finish on Leather" used to indicate the tendency of a finished leather surface to cling or adhere to cloth or similar materials.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen conditioning, simple apparatus and a test procedure that produces an observational indication of finish tackiness on finished leather; it does not apply to wet blue leather and does not include numeric pass/fail criteria—rather it provides a reproducible method to assess tackiness under defined conditions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Tanneries, finish manufacturers and formulators, footwear/upholstery manufacturers, QC laboratories, and research labs that evaluate leather finish performance. Standards committees and procurement/specification writers may also reference it when drafting product requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was reapproved/reaffirmed in 2025 and appears as an active/reapproved standard for 2025 (designation shown as D6183-00(2025) / D6183‑00R25). Users should check the official ASTM catalog or their national standards body for the definitive current status before quoting it in formal specifications.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is maintained under ASTM Committee D31 on Leather (subcommittee D31.07 on Physical Properties) and is part of the Book of Standards volume covering soaps, polishes and leather (Vol. 15.04). It is normally used together with other D31 leather test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Leather, tackiness, finish, adhesion, D6183, conditioning, leather finish testing.