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D6015-21 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📐 Specimen Geometry and Preparation
Section 7 of the standard specifies a square of leather approximately 4 in. by 4 in. (102 mm by 102 mm) as the required test specimen. Sampling is conducted strictly per Practice D2813, and conditioning prior to testing must follow Practice D1610 (Section 7.4) to ensure uniform moisture content and temperature. Unless otherwise specified in the detail specification, testing one specimen from each test unit is sufficient.
⚙️ Test Procedure and Standard Conditions
The procedure quantifies water absorption under static immersion conditions. The conditioned specimen is weighed to the nearest 0.01 g and recorded as W1 (Section 8.1). One to three specimens are then completely immersed in a 1000 mL beaker of distilled water maintained at 23 °C ± 2 °C (Section 8.2). After the specified immersion period, the specimen is removed, blotted with the designated blotting paper (Section 6.3), and immediately weighed to determine the final absorption value.
| 🟦 Parameter | 📏 Specification / Requirement |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 23 °C ± 2 °C |
| Specimen Size | 4 in x 4 in (102 mm x 102 mm) |
| Immersion Vessel | 1000 mL Beaker |
| Balance Sensitivity | ± 0.01 g |
| Immersion Medium | Distilled Water |
| Conditioning Standard | ASTM D1610 |
⚠️ Critical Condition Control: The water temperature must be rigorously maintained at 23 °C ± 2 °C throughout the entire test duration. Thermal deviations can significantly shift the absorption kinetics and invalidate compliance comparisons.
📊 Key Measured Properties and Significance
The primary purpose of this method is to determine compliance with water absorption specifications for finished leather, particularly upper leather (Section 5.1). The result reflects the mass of water absorbed by the leather when all surfaces are fully exposed to water under static conditions. Crucially, Section 5.1 specifies that the significance of the test is limited by the static conditions employed, and results do not replicate water absorption under dynamic conditions of flexing. The method is applicable to all types of leather except wet blue or wet white (Section 1.1).
| 🟦 Application Area | 🎯 Key Requirement / Limitation |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Compliance testing for upper leather specifications |
| Applicable Materials | All finished leather types |
| Excluded Materials | Wet blue or wet white leather |
| Test Condition | Static immersion (not representative of dynamic flexing) |
💡 Best Practice Guidance: Ensure the specimen is fully submerged and free-floating within the beaker to allow uniform water exposure across all surfaces. If the 1000 g weight is used to counteract buoyancy, ensure it does not restrict water access to any portion of the specimen face.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What types of leather are explicitly excluded from this test method?
The Scope (Section 1.1) explicitly excludes wet blue and wet white leather from this standard test method.
💡 How does static water absorption differ from dynamic water absorption?
Static immersion involves no movement or flexing of the leather, while dynamic flexing simulates real-world wear (e.g., walking). Section 5.1 specifically states that results from this static test do not reflect dynamic water absorption.
⚡ What balance sensitivity is required for the mass measurements?
Section 6.2 requires the use of a balance sensitive to 0.01 g to ensure accurate measurement of the absorbed water mass.
📌 What is the exact immersion medium and temperature specified?
Per Section 8.2, the specimen must be completely immersed in distilled water at a controlled temperature of 23 °C ± 2 °C in a 1000 mL beaker.