Measurement of Frictional Properties of Footwear Sole and Heel Materials

ASTM Subcommittee F13.10 on Traction of Committee F-13 on Safety and Traction for Footwear conducted comparative studies between several laboratory methods for measuring the coefficient of friction (COF) of materials used for shoe soles and heels in contact with walking surfaces such as vinyl asphalt tile and hardwood. The methods evaluated were the James Machine—ASTM Test for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Floor Surfaces as Measured by the James Machine (D 2047-75), the Moving Sled—ASTM Test for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (D 1894-75), the British Portable Skid Tester—ASTM Test for Measuring Pavement Surface Frictional Properties Using the British Portable Tester (E 303-74), and the Horizontal Pull Slipmeter.

The program resulted in adaptation of the James Machine for measuring static COF in the new ASTM Test for Static Coefficient of Friction of Shoe Sole and Heel Materials as Measured by the James Machine (F 489-77).