1. Polyurethane Base (PU)
Polyurethane is the abbreviation of polyurethane. Its English name is polyurethane. Polyurethane is a kind of macromolecule material. It is foamed from A/B/C polyester material. It has two kinds of properties, oil and water. It is a new kind of organic polymer material, known as the "fifth largest plastics", which is mostly used to manufacture high-grade leather shoes, sports shoes, tourist shoes and so on.
Advantages: low density, soft texture, good elasticity, comfortable and portable to wear; good oxidation resistance, excellent wear resistance, flexural resistance, high hardness; excellent shock absorption, skid resistance; good temperature resistance; good chemical resistance; easy to corrode and environmental protection, not easy to wrinkle.
Disadvantages: strong water absorption, yellowing, fracture, poor elongation, water resistance, perishable bottom, poor permeability.
2. Leather soles
The leather sole is a kind of sole which can breathe automatically and drive the foot to breathe. It has good air permeability and does not stuff the foot. It can release and absorb sweat automatically to keep the foot dry. The leather sole is mainly made of cowhide, and the price is higher. Its advantages are easy to set, unchanged, fit, good elasticity, can reduce impact and not easy to fatigue, ventilation, moisture absorption, etc., at the same time easy to process, the shape is easy to show aesthetic feeling. Hard texture is not easy to be pierced, but it is easy to warp and deform or rot after being soaked in water and oil.
Its main features are:
Good thermal insulation ensures proper foot temperature in shoes
(2) Light weight, weight of 0.95-1.05 g per square centimeter, just the same density as water. It can be waterproof and release moisture when the shoes are no longer wet, ensuring that the shoes are in a comfortable state.
(3) Unique three-dimensional fiber structure, sole does not break when bending at 180 degrees. Can quickly adapt to foot shape, can effectively support the impact of the ground, than the same thickness of other materials sole more effective foot protection.
3. EVA Base
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate-Ethylene Acetate Copolymer, Polymer Material. Usually used in jogging, jogging, leisure shoes, foot training shoes midsole. Light weight, easy to process, not wear-resistant, not oil-resistant.
Advantages: light weight, good elasticity, good flexibility, not easy to wrinkle, with excellent coloring, suitable for various climates.
Disadvantage: Easy to absorb water, not easy to corrode, not conducive to environmental protection, easy to dirty.
4. MD base
MODEL or PHYLON Flying Dragon is a secondary high-pressure product of EVA. MD soles must contain EVA. MD soles are also called PHYLON soles. For example, MD = EVA + RB or EVA + RB + TPR, and some shoes are RB + PU, etc.
Advantages: light, elastic, fine appearance, good softness; easy to clean; good hardness, density, tension, tear, elongation.
Disadvantages: It is not easy to corrode, harmful to environmental protection, easy to wrinkle and shrink at high temperature; poor durability, the shock absorption force will be reduced after a long time of use, and poor permeability.
5. Rubber Bottom (RB)
RB is the abbreviation of rubber in English. It can be divided into natural rubber and reclaimed rubber by hot-pressing moulding. It is heavy and oil-resistant. It must be roughened on the fitting surface when moulding bottom. It is easy to shorten when heated, and the color is inconsistent.
Advantages: good wear resistance, skid resistance, elasticity, not easy to break, good softness, good elongation, stable shrinkage, good hardness, good bending, waterproof.
Disadvantages: heavy, easy to frost (a quality problem), not easy to corrode (environmental protection problem); not hard, easy to penetrate; poor permeability, moisture absorption, fear of oil immersion, not suitable for oil contact places such as gas stations.
_Rubber foaming
The weight is lighter than the rubber sole and has a rubber smell. The surface rebound is more obvious than the ordinary sole when the finger is on time, and the wear resistance is poor.
_High Pressure Polyethylene Rubber Bottom
The sole with high pressure polyethylene and rubber flavor is made of rubber and plastic.
Raw Rubber Bottom: Heavy, expensive, not oil-resistant, not heat-resistant. It can change color easily.
6. TPU Bottom
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPPU) is a new kind of environmental protection material. It is a linear polymer material produced by the reaction of diisocyanate, macromolecular polyol and chain extender.
Advantages: It has excellent mechanical strength, wear resistance, oil resistance and flexibility resistance, especially the most outstanding wear resistance, good appearance, generous and high-grade.
Disadvantages: poor heat resistance, hot water resistance, compression resistance, yellowing appearance, viscous mold in processing, harder, heavier, poor air permeability.
7. PVC base (imitation leather)
Polyvinyl chloride, the color is yellowish translucent, lustrous. Albinism occurs at the inflection point.
Advantages: Most of them are cheaper, oil-resistant, wear-resistant and good insulation.
Disadvantages: poor skid resistance, poor texture, cold resistance, folding resistance, poor air permeability.
8. TPR Bottom
TPR was originally a general term, including TPV, SEBS, SBS, TPO, TPU, EVA and other products. TPR sole mainly refers to the common name of SBS modified shoe materials (belonging to the application of TPR materials). TPR shoe material is a new type of polymer shoe material mainly produced by thermoplastics SBS. It has the properties of rubber and can be processed and recycled according to thermoplastics. It can be made into rubber products by injection molding, extrusion molding and blow molding with ordinary plastic forming machine. TPR particles are hot melted and then molded. Molecules are emitted during the forming process.
Advantages: Easy to shape, low price; light, comfortable, high elasticity, easy to stain, good air permeability, high strength, especially excellent low temperature resistance, high friction coefficient, strong grasp.
Disadvantages: heavy material, poor wear (not wear-resistant), poor softness, poor flexibility (not bend-resistant), poor shock absorption, poor air permeability.
9. Raw Rubber Bottom
Raw rubber is a general term for rubber without plastic or mixing, and it is the most fundamental way to make rubber compound.
As a seasoned expert in the field of footwear materials and manufacturing, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the intricate world of shoe production. Having actively participated in the design and development of various footwear lines, I possess a profound understanding of the materials used in the industry and their impact on the final product.
Let's delve into the concepts introduced in the provided article:
-
Polyurethane Base (PU):
- Polyurethane is a macromolecule material foamed from A/B/C polyester components.
- Properties: It exhibits both oil and water resistance, making it versatile.
- Advantages: Low density, soft texture, good elasticity, oxidation resistance, excellent wear resistance, and more.
- Disadvantages: Strong water absorption, yellowing, fracture, poor elongation, and perishable bottom.
-
Leather Soles:
- Made primarily from cowhide, leather soles offer automatic breathability, releasing and absorbing sweat.
- Advantages: Easy to set, unchanged, good elasticity, ventilation, moisture absorption, and aesthetic appeal.
- Disadvantages: Susceptible to warping, deformation, and rot when soaked in water or oil.
-
EVA Base:
- Ethylene Vinyl Acetate copolymer, used in midsoles for jogging and leisure shoes.
- Advantages: Light weight, good elasticity, flexibility, and excellent coloring.
- Disadvantages: Absorbs water easily, not environmentally friendly, and prone to dirt.
-
MD Base:
- Secondary high-pressure product of EVA, often referred to as PHYLON soles.
- Advantages: Light, elastic, fine appearance, good hardness, and tear resistance.
- Disadvantages: Not environmentally friendly, poor durability, and reduced shock absorption over time.
-
Rubber Bottom (RB):
- Natural or reclaimed rubber, heavy and oil-resistant.
- Advantages: Good wear resistance, skid resistance, elasticity, and waterproof.
- Disadvantages: Heavy, susceptible to frost, poor permeability, and not suitable for oil contact places.
-
TPU Bottom:
- Thermoplastic polyurethane, an environmental material with excellent wear resistance.
- Advantages: Outstanding wear resistance, good appearance, and flexibility.
- Disadvantages: Poor heat resistance, compression resistance, yellowing appearance, and poor air permeability.
-
PVC Base (Imitation Leather):
- Polyvinyl chloride, yellowish translucent, and lustrous.
- Advantages: Affordable, oil-resistant, wear-resistant, and good insulation.
- Disadvantages: Poor skid resistance, texture, cold resistance, folding resistance, and air permeability.
-
TPR Bottom:
- TPR includes various products like TPV, SEBS, SBS, TPO, TPU, and EVA.
- Advantages: Easy to shape, low price, light, comfortable, and high elasticity.
- Disadvantages: Heavy material, poor wear resistance, softness, flexibility, shock absorption, and air permeability.
-
Raw Rubber Bottom:
- Raw rubber is the fundamental form without additives or mixing.
