ISO 5402-1-2022 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 5402-1:2022 — Leather — Determination of flex resistance — Part 1: Flexometer method. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method for determining the dry or wet flex resistance of leather and finishes applied to leather, applicable to flexible leather below 3.0 mm thickness.

Abstract

ISO 5402-1:2022 defines the flexometer test procedure used to produce a running fold on leather specimens and to count flex cycles until visible damage occurs. The procedure covers apparatus design (two permitted clamp geometries), test speeds and angles, specimen preparation and conditioning, wet‑testing immersion practice, inspection criteria and reporting requirements. The method is intended for quality evaluation, specification and comparative testing of flexible leathers and leather finishes.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: 30 March 2022.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.140.30 (Leather and furs).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2022).
• Number of pages: 9 (ISO published text).

Metadata above is taken from the ISO publication record for ISO 5402-1:2022.

Scope

This part of ISO 5402 specifies a flexometer method for determining the wet or dry flex resistance of leather and finishes applied to leather. It is applicable to all types of flexible leather with a thickness less than 3,0 mm. The standard covers specimen preparation and conditioning, apparatus requirements, test procedure, criteria for inspection and the information to be reported.

Key topics and requirements

• Apparatus: reciprocating flexometer (upper clamp reciprocates over a fixed lower clamp); two permitted upper‑clamp geometries are specified and clamp type/manufacturer shall be reported.
• Operating parameters: typical reciprocation angle and speed control (standard specifies angle tolerance and cycles per minute ranges for the method).
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: sampling and specimen cutting requirements, atmospheric conditioning prior to testing (references to ISO sampling/conditioning standards).
• Wet testing procedure: controlled immersion using suitable grade water and desiccation/vacuum steps for wet conditioning where required.
• Test procedure: mounting of samples grain‑to‑grain on the clamp so the running fold occurs at the specified ledge, selection of cycle counts (examples range from hundreds to tens or hundreds of thousands depending on purpose), periodic inspection intervals.
• Inspection and failure criteria: visual inspection aided by low‑power magnification, optional microscopy; defined criteria for visible damage and end‑point determination.
• Reporting: record clamp specification, number of cycles endured, conditioning details, wet or dry test, observed damage, deviations and any attachments (photographs, microscope notes).

Summary of technical requirements and key parameters derived from the ISO text and authoritative summaries of the method.

Typical use and users

Used by leather testing laboratories, quality control departments of tanneries and footwear/leather goods manufacturers, material specification engineers, research organizations and certification bodies. Typical uses include acceptance testing, comparative performance assessment of finishes and leathers, R&D screening and establishing supplier or product specifications.

Related standards

ISO 5402 is a multi‑part series. Notable related documents include ISO 5402-2 (Vamp flex method) which addresses an alternative flex test; the standard also references general sampling and conditioning standards (for example ISO sampling and conditioning documents) and related leather physical test standards (e.g., thickness, other mechanical tests). National and regional adoptions (EN ISO / BS / DIN versions) exist.

Keywords

leather, flex resistance, flexometer, flex test, running fold, wet testing, dry testing, leather finishes, quality control, IULTCS.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 5402-1:2022 is the International Standard that specifies the flexometer method for determining dry and wet flex resistance of flexible leathers (thickness < 3.0 mm). It is the third edition, published in March 2022.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the required apparatus configuration, specimen preparation and conditioning, test procedure (how samples are clamped and flexed), inspection/failure criteria, wet‑testing practice and reporting requirements. The aim is to provide reproducible measurement of the number of flex cycles until visible damage.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Leather test laboratories, tanneries, footwear and leather‑goods manufacturers, material specification engineers, research labs and conformity assessment organizations use this method for QC, R&D and contractual testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 5402-1:2022 (edition 3) is the published, current revision and it revises/supersedes the 2017 edition (ISO 5402-1:2017).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 5402 is a series dealing with flex resistance of leather. Part 1 is the flexometer method (this document); Part 2 (ISO 5402-2:2015) describes the vamp flex method. Other related leather testing standards cover sampling, conditioning and complementary mechanical or chemical tests.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are: leather, flex resistance, flexometer, running fold, wet test, dry test, leather finish, mechanical test, quality control.