ASTM D5552-10(2023) PDF

Overview

ASTM D5552-10(2023), Standard Test Method for Resistance of Colored Leather to Bleeding, establishes a reliable procedure for determining how resistant colored leather is to bleeding. This bleeding resistance is essential for leather products that may come into contact with water, including lined and unlined articles such as shoes, handbags, and other accessories. The standard is issued and maintained by ASTM International and aligns with globally recognized principles, ensuring broad relevance in manufacturing and quality assurance.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability

  • Applies to finished upper leather used in footwear and similar products
  • Not applicable to wet blue leather
  • Specifies use primarily with leather articles like shoes, handbags, and related items

• Test Procedure

  • Involves subjecting a leather specimen to contact with water-soaked cotton sheeting
  • The assembly is kept under controlled conditions to simulate real-world wet exposure
  • Assessing the migration of coloration from leather to cotton sheeting

• Results and Reporting

  • Migration is reported as the number of cotton sheets showing color transfer
  • The hue and intensity of bleeding are observed and compared using a grey scale
  • Results help quantify the tendency of colored leather to bleed when wet

• Units of Measurement

  • Primary results are provided in inch-pound units, with SI unit conversions given for reference

• Safety and Compliance

  • Users are responsible for ensuring proper safety, health, and environmental practices
  • Highlights the need to consider applicable regulations and proper lab procedures

Applications

ASTM D5552-10(2023) plays a crucial role in the leather industry, supporting manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers in ensuring product quality and end-use suitability.

• Quality Assurance in Manufacturing

  • Helps manufacturers validate the dye fastness of finished leathers
  • Ensures finished leather products meet desired standards for color stability, minimizing post-purchase complaints

• Product Development

  • Guides material selection and finishing processes for shoes, handbags, and leather accessories
  • Enables comparison of different tanning, dyeing, or finishing methods with respect to water resistance

• Regulatory and Trade Compliance

  • Facilitates compliance with international quality benchmarks, an asset in global trade and export
  • Assists suppliers and retailers in substantiating product claims related to colorfastness and suitability for moisture-prone environments

• Consumer Protection

  • Reduces the likelihood of color transfer from leather to clothing or skin, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand reliability

Related Standards

• ALCA K 12 Method for Testing Resistance of Colored Leather to Bleeding

  • Origin of the established test principles adopted in ASTM D5552

• AATCC Grey Scale for Evaluating Staining

  • Reference tool for quantifying the intensity of color migration in testing

• Other ASTM Leather Standards

  • ASTM D2813: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Color Transfer from Leather to Other Materials
  • ASTM D5053: Standard Test Method for Colorfastness of Leather to Light

Conclusion

ASTM D5552-10(2023) is a key standard for assessing the bleed resistance of colored leather, helping ensure the durability and quality of leather products in real-world applications. Adhering to this standard supports robust quality control practices, customer trust, and compliance with international trade requirements in the leather industry. For anyone involved in the design, manufacture, or sale of finished leather goods, application of this bleeding resistance test method is an integral part of maintaining high product standards.