Improvement of the methodology for studying the physico-mechanical properties of thermoplastics soles

Today’s regulatory documents for the study of the physical and mechanical properties of materials for the bottom of shoes and molded soles are based on conducting tests using plates of materials of a certain thickness, within 1–3 mm (GOST 270-75 "Rubber. Method for Determining the Elastic and Strength Properties in Tension", GOST 269-66 "Rubber. General Requirements for Conducting Physical and Mechanical Tests"). The range of soles currently used in the manufacture of shoes is characterized by rather voluminous shapes with deep grooving of the running surface. The latter complicates the process of preparing samples for the study of physical and mechanical properties when setting up products in production. As a rule, shoe companies do not manufacture molded soles, but purchase them from third-party organizations. In this regard, it is not possible to manufacture plates and implement input quality control of polymer materials for soles. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current standards for the problem under consideration and adapt the testing methods outlined in them, taking into account the design features of the modern range of shoe soles. The article presents a contemporary database of standards on the problem under consideration and suggests options for preparing samples of cut-out soles for the study of physical-and-mechanical properties. The article suggests the following indicators for the study of physical-and-mechanical properties: Shore A hardness, density, tensile strength, elongation at break and residual elongation at break. The article also suggests possible options for preparing and conducting tests based on the above indicators, which would further allow us to develop a methodology for examining shoe bottom parts that could not withstand the warranty period of wear.