5.1 Part of the function of a shoe is to assist the foot in maintaining body temperature and to guard against large heat changes. The insulating property of a material used in shoe construction is dependent on porosity or the amount of air spaces present. A good insulating material has a low thermal conductivity value, k. The thermal conductivity value increases with an increase in moisture content since the k value for water is high, 0.0014 cal/s cm · °C (0.59 W/m·K).

1.1 This practice is intended to determine the thermal conductivity of a sheet material. This practice is not limited to leather, but may be used for any poorly conductive material such as rubber, textile and cork associated with the construction of shoes.

1.2 A constant heat source is sandwiched between two identical metal cylinders which are mounted with their axes vertical. A test specimen is placed on the top surface of the upper cylinder and a third identical metal cylinder is placed on top of the test specimen so that all the cylinders and the test specimen are concentrically aligned (see Fig. 1). The heat source is switched on and the temperatures of the three blocks allowed to reach equilibrium. The thermal conductivity of the test specimen is then determined from the steady-state temperatures of the three blocks, the exposed surface areas of the blocks and test specimen and the thickness of the test specimen.

FIG. 1 SATRA Lees' Disc Thermal Conductivity Apparatus

1.3 This practice does not apply to wet blue.

1.4 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.

1.5 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.