Thermoplastic materials for shoe counters

Relevance. Footwear, a common consumer product, is subject to increasing demand for quality, comfort and safety. Children's footwear, in particular, requires careful attention as improperly selectin or poor - quality shoes can lead to abnormalities in the development of musculoskeletal system. According to TR TS 007/2011 "On the safety of products intended for children and adolescents" one of the safety requirements for footwear products is the design of the heel part of the shoe. One method to secure the heel part of the foot in shoes is the use of a rigid counter. Currently, the most popular materials frequently used for the frame parts in the footwear industry of Belarus are leather cardboard and thermoplastic materials (TPM). When using TPMs manufactured abroad, Belarusian footwear enterprises often follow manufacturer's recommendations, which are merely advisory. Consequently, the application of TPMs and their performance characteristics, which are almost unknown, has become a pertinent issue. This highlights the need to study the standard physical - mechanical and deformation - strength properties of advanced materials for shoe counters. The purpose of the study is to gather new information about the structure and physical - mechanical, deformation and strength properties of advanced TPMs used in the manufacture of footwear, including children's shoes. Research methods employed are standard methods of evaluation of physical - mechanical, strength and deformation properties for rigid artificial leathers. Results of work propose a list of indicators for assessing the physical - mechanical, strength and deformation properties of TPMs and methods of their evaluation.