Designation: D7255 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Abrasion Resistance of Leather (Rotary Platform, Abraser
Method)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7255; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 abrasion—the wearing away of any part of a material
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the abra- by rubbing against another surface.
sion resistance of leather using the rotary platform abraser. 3.1.3 abrasion cycle—in abrasion testing, one or more
NOTE 1—This test method is similar but not equivalent to ISO 17076-1, movements of the abradant across a material surface, or the
and results should not be directly compared between the two methods. material surface across the abradant, that permits a return to its
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as starting position. In the case of the rotary platform test method,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this it consists of one complete rotation of the specimen.
standard. 3.1.4 durability—the ability to withstand deterioration or
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the wear out in use, including the effects of abrasion.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.5 resurface—the preparation of an abrasive wheel on a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- resurfacing disk or diamond tool wheel refacer, prior to use in
priate safety and health practices and to determine the testing.
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 For definitions of other leather terms used in this test
2. Referenced Documents method, refer to Terminology D1517.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 4. Summary of Test Method
D1517 Terminology Relating to Leather
4.1 A specimen is abraded using rotary rubbing action under
D1610 Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Prod-
controlled conditions of pressure and abrasive action. The test
ucts for Testing
specimen, mounted on a turntable platform, turns on a vertical
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D2813 Practice for Sampling Leather for Physical and
axis, against the sliding rotation of two abrading wheels. One
Chemical Tests
abrading wheel rubs the specimen outward toward the periph-
G195 Guide for Conducting Wear Tests Using a Rotary
ery and the other, inward toward the center. The resulting
Platform Abraser
abrasion marks form a pattern of crossed arcs over an area of
2.2 Other Standards:3 approximately 30 cm2. Resistance to abrasion is evaluated by
ISO 17076-1 Leather-Determination of abrasion resistance visual inspection of damage to the specimen or change in
Part 1-Taber method weight, as described in Section 14.
3. Terminology 5. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions: 5.1 The resistance of leather to abrasion, as measured on a
3.1.1 abraser—a wear testing instrument, also referred to as testing machine in the laboratory, is generally only one of
a rotary platform tester or abrader. several factors contributing to wear performance or durability
as experienced in the actual use of the material. While
1
“abrasion resistance” (often stated in terms of the number of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D31 on Leather
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.07 on Physical Properties. abrasion cycles) and “durability” are frequently related, the
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally relationship varies with different end uses and different factors
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D7255-06ε1. DOI: may be necessary in any calculation of predicted durability
10.1520/D7255-14.
2
from specific abrasion data. This test method provides a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, [Link], or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@[Link]. For Annual Book of ASTM comparative ranking of material performance, which can be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on used as an indication of relative end-use performance.
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 5.2 The resistance of leather to abrasion may be affected by
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, [Link] factors including test conditions, type of abradant, pressure
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7255 − 14
between the specimen and abradant, mounting or tension of the 6.1.4 A vacuum suction system and vacuum pickup nozzle
specimen, and type, kind, or amount of finishing materials. to remove debris and abrasive particles from the specimen
5.3 Abrasion tests utilizing the rotary platform abraser may surface during testing. The height of the vacuum pickup nozzle
be subject to variation due to changes in the abradant during shall be adjustable, and will have two openings – with one
specific tests. Depending on abradant type and test specimen, opening positioned between the two wheels and over the wear
the wheel surface may change (that is, become clogged) due to path and the other placed diametrically opposite. The distance
the pick up of finishing or other materials from test specimens between the axes of the two openings shall be 76.0 6 1.0 mm,
and must be resurfaced at regularly defined intervals. and
6.1.5 A counter to record the number of cycles (revolutions)
5.4 The measurement of the relative amount of abrasion made by the turntable platform.
may also be affected by the method of evaluation and may be
influenced by the judgment of the operator. 6.2 Abrasive Wheels, 5 which are attached to the free end of
the pivoted arms, and are able to rotate freely about horizontal
6. Apparatus spindles. The abrasive wheels are either resilient or vitrified
based, with both types of wheels consisting of hard particles
6.1 Rotary Platform Abraser, 4 as described in Guide G195
embedded in a binder material and manufactured in different
and consisting of the elements described in 6.1.1 – 6.1.5 (see
grades of abrasive quality.
Fig. 1).
6.2.1 Their internal faces shall be 52.4 6 1.0 mm apart and
6.1.1 A turntable platform, which is removable, that in-
the hypothetical line through the two spindles shall be 19.05 6
cludes a rubber pad, clamp plate and centrally located threaded
0.3 mm away from the central axis of the turntable (see Fig. 2).
post and nut. When testing flexible specimens, the platform
When resting on the specimen, the wheels will have a
will also include a clamping ring to secure the specimen to the
peripheral engagement with the surface of the specimen, the
turntable. The turntable is motor driven and mounted so as to
direction of travel of the periphery of the wheels and of the
produce a circular surface travel of an essentially flat specimen
specimen at the contacting portions being at acute angles, and
in the plane of its surface,
the angles of travel of one wheel periphery being opposite to
6.1.2 A motor capable of rotating the turntable platform at a
that of the other. Motion of the abrasive wheels, in opposite
speed of either 72 6 2 r/min for 110 V/60 Hz or 60 6 2 r/min
directions, is provided by rotation of the specimen and the
for 230 V/50 Hz,
associated friction there from.
6.1.3 A pair of pivoted arms to which the abrasive wheels
6.2.2 The wheels shall be 12.7 6 0.3 mm thick and have an
and accessory weights or counterweights are attached,
external diameter of 51.9 6 0.5 mm when new, and in no case
NOTE 2—Without auxiliary weights or counter weights applied, each less than 44.4 mm.
arm will apply a load against the specimen of 250 6 1 g (exclusive of the
mass of the wheel itself). 5
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
is Taber Industries, 455 Bryant Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. If you are
aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Interna-
tional Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting
4
Available from Taber® Industries, 455 Bryant Street, North Tonawanda, NY of the responsible technical committee,1 which you may attend.
14120.
FIG. 1 Rotary Platform, Abraser
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D7255 − 14
FIG. 2 Diagrammatic Arrangement of Apparatus
NOTE 3—The H-18 wheels typically produce a harsher abrasion than 6.4.1 Resurfacing disc4 (S-11), is used for resurfacing of
the CS-17 wheels, which produce a harsher abrasion than the CS-10 resilient wheels.
wheels.
NOTE 4—The S-35 Tungsten Carbide wheels include 1 mm pitch × 45° 6.4.2 A soft bristle brush, to remove loose particles from the
spiral pitch angle, helical teeth cut into its periphery. This wheel does not surface of the specimen after testing.
include hard particles embedded in a binder material, and typically 6.4.3 Wheel refacer,4 for resurfacing vitrified wheels or
produces severe cutting and abrasion. correcting out of round wheels.
6.2.3 Prior to testing, ensure the expiration date has not 6.4.4 Specimen mounting cards (S-36-1) or equivalent,4 a
passed for resilient wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s recom- 108 mm round mounting card with a 6.35 mm center hole and
mended practice for breaking in new or resurfacing previously one side coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive used for
used wheel sets (see Section 10). mounting specimens. Use of the mounting card is not required
6.3 Accessory Weights, which can be attached to the pivoted when using a clamping ring.
abrader arms to increase the load against the specimen to 500
or 1000 g per wheel (exclusive of the mass of the wheel itself), 7. Sampling
see 11.1.6. Counterweight attachments of 125 or 175 g are 7.1 Take a lot sample as described in Practice D2813, or as
available to reduce the load against the specimen, and can be agreed upon by the interested parties. Because leather is a
used with or without the accessory weights. natural product, the physical properties may vary depending on
6.4 Auxiliary Apparatus: location on the hide, side or skin from which the test sample is
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D7255 − 14
taken. Random sampling of specimens from a predefined 10.1.4 If the vacuum system does not turn on automatically
location and orientation minimizes test bias and variability. at the start of the test, start the vacuum suction and then the
turntable. Resurface the wheels by running them for the
8. Number and Preparation of Test Specimens appropriate number of cycles against the resurfacing disc as
8.1 If the number of specimens to be tested is not specified shown in Table 1. Each resurfacing disc is good for one 25 or
by agreement between the interested parties, test three speci- 50 cycle resurfacing operation, after which it must be dis-
mens. carded. Do not touch the surface of the wheels after they are
8.2 Using shears or an appropriate sample cutter, cut the resurfaced.
specimen to size. Punch or cut a 6.5 mm diameter hole in the NOTE 6—New Set of Wheels (break-in procedure)—The composition of
center of the specimen. resilient wheels can make them subject to slight changes of form. Before
8.2.1 When using a specimen mounting card, cut a circular placing in service a new set of resilient wheels they must be subjected to
specimen approximately 100 to 110 mm in diameter. Clean the two (2) resurfacings of 50 cycles to ensure perfect contact of the abrading
faces with the specimen surface. The resurfacing disc is used only once
back of the specimen with a soft bristle brush to remove any (maximum of 50 cycles), therefore this initial resurfacing of new wheels
loose debris. Mount specimen to a round specimen-mounting will require two (2) resurfacing discs.
card (such as S-36-1), ensuring that the specimen is free of NOTE 7—Starting a Test with Previously Used Wheels—Before testing
folds, creases, or wrinkles. a specimen with previously used wheels, resurface 25 cycles on a new
resurfacing disc. Wheels that have not been used for an extended period
8.2.2 Alternatively, a sample of 130 6 5 mm diameter may of time may require a break-in resurfacing like a new set of wheels.
be used, with or without a mounting card, and secured to the NOTE 8—Resurfacing During Testing—To maintain consistency and
turntable with a clamping ring. avoid clogging of wheel faces, the wheels should be resurfaced after every
1000 cycles of use. Remove the specimen after every 1000 cycles (or as
8.3 If the leather has a pattern such as embossment, ensure agreed by interested parties) and resurface the wheels for 25 cycles with
that the specimen is a representative sampling of the pattern. a new resurfacing disc. The sample should be carefully replaced to the
8.4 Avoid getting oil, water, grease, and so forth, on the original position after resurfacing of the wheels.
specimen when handling. 10.2 Preparation of Vitrified Abrading Wheels—Vitrified
wheels do not require refacing unless the abrading surface
9. Preparation of Apparatus becomes clogged, chipped or out of round. A diamond tool
9.1 Load—A load of 1000 g per wheel should be used, wheel refacer should be used to correct any of these conditions.
unless otherwise agreed upon by the interested parties. 10.3 Preparation of Tungsten Carbide Abrading Wheels—
9.2 Vacuum Pickup Nozzle—The height of the vacuum Use a stiff bristle brush to remove any debris and loose
pickup nozzle should be set 7 6 1 mm above the specimen particulate matter lodged between the helical teeth. If
surface, unless otherwise agreed upon by the interested parties. necessary, use a solvent based cleaner. Prior to use, inspect the
9.3 Vacuum Suction—The vacuum suction force should be wheels for chips or burrs.
adjusted to lift the abraded particles, but not lift the specimen.
11. Calibration
A setting of 75 - 100 has been found to be sufficient and should
be used, unless otherwise agreed upon by the interested parties. 11.1 Verify calibration of the rotary platform abraser as
directed by the equipment manufacturer (see Appendix X1).
NOTE 5—Vacuum suction force may be influenced by the condition of
the collection bag, which must be emptied or replaced on a regular basis.
11.1.1 Wheel Position—The wheels should be spaced
Any connection or seal leaks will also influence suction force. equally on both sides from the wheel-mounting flange to the
center of the specimen holder (see 6.2.1). The distance from the
9.4 Selection of Wheel Type—The CS-105 wheel should be
inside of the wheel-mounting flange to the center of the
used, unless otherwise agreed upon by the interested parties.
specimen holder is 38.9 6 0.5 mm.
10. Standardization of Abrading Wheels 11.1.2 Wheel Bearings—The abraser wheel bearings in-
10.1 Preparation of resilient abrading wheels—To ensure stalled in the free end of the pivoting arms to support the
that the abrading function of the wheels is maintained at a wheels should not stick when caused to spin rapidly by a quick
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constant level, prepare the resilient wheels following 10.1.1 – driving motion of the forefinger.
10.1.4. 11.1.3 Turntable Platform Position—The vertical distance
10.1.1 Mount the selected resilient wheels on their respec- from the center of the pivot point of the abraser arms to the top
tive flange holders, taking care not to handle them by their of the specimen holder should be approximately 25 mm. The
abrasive surfaces. Adjust the load on each wheel to 1000 g or turntable platform should rotate in the plane of its surface, with
the load agreed upon between the interested parties. no visible wobble. This can be checked with a dial indicator at
10.1.2 Mount the resurfacing disc (S-11) on the turntable the top outer edge of the platform.
and affix using the clamp plate and nut, and clamping ring.
Lower the pivoted arms carefully until the wheels rest on the
TABLE 1 Preparation of Abrasive Wheels
resurfacing disc. Place the vacuum pick-up nozzle in position
and adjust it to a distance of 7 6 1 mm above the surface of the Wheel Status Resurfacing Cycles
disc. New 2 resurfacings of 50 cycles
Used 25 cycles
10.1.3 Set the counter to ‘zero’ and adjust the vacuum During Test (after every 1000 cycles) 25 cycles
suction force to 100.
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11.1.4 Turntable Speed—The turntable should rotate at the 13.10 Cleaning of Specimen After Test—After the test is
speed stated in 6.1.2. complete, a soft bristle brush may be used to remove any loose
11.1.5 Vacuum Suction—At a vacuum level of 100, the abradings remaining on the test specimen.
suction force shall be 13.7 kPa (139.7 cm of water column) or 13.11 After testing, raise abraser arms and vacuum pick-up
greater, as measured by a vacuum gage. nozzle, then remove the specimen for evaluation. If desired, the
11.1.6 Load—Since each abraser arm shall weigh 250 6 1 g turntable platform may be removed from the tester by lifting
(see Note 2), the accessory load marked 500 g shall weigh 250 straight up. This will permit a closer inspection of the specimen
6 1 g and the accessory load marked 1000 g shall weigh 750 prior to removal from the turntable platform.
6 1g.
14. Interpretation of Results
12. Conditioning
14.1 Visual results of this test may be interpreted from
12.1 All samples, including mounting cards when required, either the number of cycles required to break through the
shall be conditioned for 24 h minimum in standard atmospheric finished surface or, alternatively, by a judgment of the appear-
conditions and tested under these conditions as described in ance or condition of the specimen after a fixed number of
Practice D1610. cycles. In either case, comparison of results between parties
must include an agreement on a visual grading scale or visual
13. Procedure pass/fail criteria (see Appendix X2.).
13.1 Test Conditions—Carry out the test in an atmosphere 14.2 If using a weight loss method, remove any loose
defined in 12.1, unless otherwise agreed upon between the abradings according to 13.10. Weigh the specimen and calcu-
interested parties. late weight loss, L, as follows:
13.2 Mount the wheels (see 9.4) on their respective flanged L5A2B (1)
holders, taking care not to handle them by their abrasive where,
surfaces. Prior to testing, ensure that the wheels have been
A = weight of test specimen before abrasion, mg, and
resurfaced according to Section 10. B = weight of test specimen after abrasion, mg.
13.3 Select the load to be used and affix it to the rotary
platform, double head tester (see 9.1). 15. Report
13.4 If using a weight loss method of evaluation, weigh the 15.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in Test
test specimen to the nearest 0.1 mg and record this weight. The Method D7255. Describe the product sampled and the method
specimen should be weighed after mounting on the mounting of sampling used for the laboratory sampling.
card, if used. 15.2 Report the following information:
13.5 Mounting of Specimen—Place the test specimen face 15.2.1 Temperature and humidity during conditioning and at
up, over the rubber mat on the turntable platform. Secure the time of testing,
clamp plate and nut in place to hold the center of the specimen. 15.2.2 Type of wheel used,
The clamping ring may also be used to secure the specimen, if 15.2.3 Load adjustment or counterweight, or both, if used,
needed. Avoid buckling the leather when tightening. If the 15.2.4 Vacuum suction force setting,
specimen holder was previously removed, ensure the holder is 15.2.5 Height of vacuum pick-up nozzle, if other than stated
properly replaced on the drive shaft of the abraser prior to in 9.2,
testing. 15.2.6 Type of specimen mounting card used, or indication
that no mounting card was used,
13.6 Lower the pivoted arms carefully until the wheels rest
on the surface of the specimen. 15.2.7 Test result reported as (1) the number of cycles to
failure, or (2) the number of abrasion cycles completed and
13.7 Cleaning of Specimen During Test—The rotary plat- subsequent visual rating, or (3) the weight loss value after a
form abraser vacuum system is used to clean the specimen of certain number of cycles. If any other means of evaluating the
debris and abrasive particles during the test. Position the effect of abrasion are used, describe evaluation criteria used to
vacuum pick-up nozzle as outlined in 9.2 and adjust vacuum obtain failure or other end point, and
suction force as outlined in 9.3. 15.2.8 Any deviation from the procedure described in this
13.8 Set the counter at zero and program the appropriate test method.
number of cycles. If the number of cycles has not been
predetermined by mutual agreement between the interested 16. Precision and Bias
parties, test for 1,000 cycles. 16.1 Precision—The precision of this test method for mea-
13.9 Start the rotary platform abraser and subject the test suring abrasion resistance using the rotary platform abraser is
specimen to abrasion for the specified number of cycles or until being established.
wear through of the coating is observed. To determine the point 16.2 Bias—No justifiable statement can be made on the bias
of wear through, stop the instrument at predetermined intervals for abrasion resistance since the true value of the property
(for example, 25 cycles) for examination of the test specimen.
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cannot be established by an accepted referee test method.
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D7255 − 14
17. Keywords
17.1 abraser; abrasion; abrasion resistance; leather; rotary
platform; Taber test; wear
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. CALIBRATION VERIFICATION
X1.1 Calibration Verification of the Rotary Platform X1.1.2 Procedures in the kit allow the user to verify:
Abraser: X1.1.2.1 Proper wheel alignment,
X1.1.1 To facilitate the verification of calibration, a kit is X1.1.2.2 Proper wheel tracking,
available from the manufacturer 4 that provides a fast reliable X1.1.2.3 Irregular bearing wear, and
system check. This kit is not meant as a substitute for regular
X1.1.2.4 Vacuum suction force.
instrument calibration
X2. ESTABLISHING A VISUAL GRADING SCALE
X2.1 When test results require a judgment of the appearance description of the damage or a photographic representation, or
or condition of the specimen, it is advisable for the interested both, of the abraded specimen. Table X2.2 and Fig. X2.2 show
parties to establish a grading scale or define the pass/fail an example of a pass/fail criteria.
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criteria.
X2.1.3 The number of abrasion cycles required to reach a
X2.1.1 A visual grading scale may be used to rank the predetermined end point can also utilize a written or photo-
specimen when testing to a fixed number of abrasion cycles. graphic standard such as described in X2.1.1.
This includes a written description of the damage or a
photographic (or actual) representation, or both, of the abraded X2.2 The evaluator can use a 10× magnifier to inspect the
specimen. Table X2.1 and Fig. X2.1 show an example of a damage.
visual grading scale.
X2.1.2 Pass/fail criteria can be used when testing to a fixed X2.3 Color changes should not be a factor in evaluation,
number of abrasion cycles. This typically includes a written only the loss of gloss and penetration of finish coating.
TABLE X2.1 Visual Grading Scale
Grade Condition
Grade 1 Damage to clear top coat, no penetration of base
coat.
Grade 2 Wear track apparent, no damage to the top coat
finish. Gloss change apparent.
Grade 3 Finish is broken and russet is visible in limited
areas.
Grade 4 Finish broken and russet visible over 25-50 % of the
contact area.
Grade 5 Finish removed and russet visible over a minimum
50 % of the contact area.
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FIG. X2.1 Visual Grading Scale
TABLE X2.2 Pass/Fail Criteria
Grade Condition
Pass No finish rupture anywhere in the abrasion track.
Fail Finish is broken and russet is visible in limited
areas.
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FIG. X2.2 Pass/Fail Criteria
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