No sweat for SATRA`s` new test equipment
SATRA can now measure the thermal and water vapour resistance properties of footwear materials with new equipment commercially unique to the UK.
A crucial factor of footwear comfort revolves around the heat and moisture transmission properties of component materials and the test and research centre has designed and built a 'sweating guarded hotplate' test to assess this aspect.
The new machine measures the thermal resistance or water vapour resistance of a sheet material and can be used under several situations. These include different environmental conditions, temperatures and relative humidities for measuring heat and mass transfer processes that occur next to the skin.
The equipment imitates, in a very simple way, the heating and sweating mechanisms at the surface of the skin with water, a measuring unit, thermal guard ring with heaters and temperature sensors.
The test is particularly relevant for measuring the performance of fabrics, films, coatings, foams and leather under a variety of simulated wear and environmental conditions. It also has applications in clothing, sleeping bags, upholstery and similar textile type products.
"Our sweating guarded hotplate is one example of a new generation of SATRA test equipment developed to keep our members at the forefront of comfort technology," says Austin Simmons, head of SATRA Safety Product Centre.
