ISO 17076-2:2011

Overview - ISO 17076-2:2011 (Martindale ball plate method)

ISO 17076-2:2011 specifies a standardized test method for determining the abrasion resistance of upholstery leather using a Martindale abrasion tester equipped with a ball plate. The method is applicable to semi‑aniline, pigmented and coated leather and is intended to simulate day‑to‑day wear more realistically by placing a steel‑ball plate under the specimen. The standard defines required apparatus, sample preparation, test procedures (dry and optional perspiration‑wet), assessment criteria and reporting requirements.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & applicability: Upholstery leather - semi‑aniline, pigmented, coated.
• Apparatus:
  • Martindale abrasion testing apparatus per ISO 12947-1.
  • Ball plate: diameter 120 mm, thickness 4.5 mm, 37 steel balls (5.00 mm diameter), grid spacing 17 mm; balls are compressed into plate to equal height (≈18 kN).
  • Abrasion holder (38 mm), abrading fabric, felt (140 mm), foam (38 mm), mounting weight (2,5 ± 0,5 kg), loading piece (795 ± 7 g).
• Sampling & conditioning: Condition specimens in accordance with ISO 2419. Cut at least two circular specimens (≈150 mm diameter) for dry testing; additional specimens if testing with synthetic perspiration.
• Procedure:
  • Test set‑up places felt → ball plate (balls up) → leather on the Martindale specimen table; align plate grid with Lissajous diagonals.
  • Use the 38 mm abrasion holder with abrading fabric and loading piece; perform cycles of 100 rubs and inspect.
  • A finish breakdown is recorded when the finish is completely damaged and leather fibres are visible (use 4×–6× magnifier or 50× microscope if needed).
  • Repeat until 4 or more finish breakdowns occur; report the number of rubs required to reach this endpoint.
• Optional perspiration test: use synthetic perspiration (pH = 8.0), place 2 ml in a vessel and wet abrading fabric for (5 ± 0.5) min; re‑wet after each 500 rubs.
• Reporting: Include reference to ISO 17076-2, leather description, individual and mean rub counts to 4 breakdowns, deviations, and perspiration details if used.

Applications and users

• Practical for leather manufacturers, quality control laboratories, R&D teams, and upholstery product specifiers who need objective, repeatable measures of surface durability.
• Used to assess and compare finish performance of upholstery leather in furniture, automotive interior, aviation and contract seating where abrasion resistance and appearance retention are critical.

Related standards

• ISO 17076-1 - Taber method (alternative abrasion test)
• ISO 12947-1 and ISO 12947-4 - Martindale apparatus and appearance assessment
• ISO 2419 - Sample preparation and conditioning
• ISO 11641 - Synthetic perspiration composition and pH

Keywords: ISO 17076-2, leather abrasion resistance, Martindale ball plate method, upholstery leather testing, finish breakdown, synthetic perspiration test.