A TEST MACHINE AND METHODS FOR TESTING FRICTION AND WEAR OF AN ANTI-SLIP COATING DEPOSITED ON THE SOLES OF SHOES

Abstract

Injuries due to slips in swimming pools or toilets in hospitals are significant social problems. It primarily concerns children making use of swimming pools or hospitalised old people, and physically disabled. Thus, within the scope of a R&D project, coordinated by the company C.T. Service from Lesznowola, a formula and way of deposition for an anti-slip coating dedicated to the soles of shoes were developed in order to increase friction on wet surfaces. A special machine – T-31 Simulator – for tribological testing of the friction and wear of the soles of shoes was developed. A method for precise determination of the coefficient of friction between a sole of a shoe (with the coating or without, on dry or wet surface) and a floor material, and a method for determination of the life (resistance to abrasion) of the anti-slip coating under conditions simulating walking were developed. To verify the developed test methods, the anti-slip coating was deposited on three types of sole materials, i.e. Thunit, polyurethane, and thermoplastic rubber, sliding against four types of the floor material, i.e. floor tile “Gres,” laminated flooring, sandstone, and granite. The paper presents the developed test device and test methods for friction and wear testing of the anti-slip coating deposited on the soles of shoes. The selected research results are also presented. On their base, a very good repeatability and good resolution of the developed test methods were stated.