SHAPE STABILIZATION IN FOOTWEAR .1. STUDY OF SET PROPERTIES IN OVINE UPPER LEATHERS

The influence of different variables such as any previous conditioning of the leather, and relative humidity and temperature during the sett ing treatment on ovine upper leather shape retention behaviour, has be en determined using both linear and bi-dimensional stretching equipmen t. Shape retention has been determined on test pieces after different ageing conditions, simulating conditions which can be suffered by the shoe during its transport, storage and wear. Very favourable results c an be obtained by treating the test pieces at 80 degrees C and relativ e humidities higher than 50%, regardless of the previous conditioning treatment.