Evaluation of damage of polymeric toecaps used in protective footwear - case study

The damages of polymer toecaps most commonly used in commercial protective footwear were assessed. The toecaps were tested in the laboratory using standard compressive loads and a non-standard load that may occur in an actual workplace. By using microscopic analysis, the structure of toecap materials subjected to compression resistance tests was examined. The results of the study indicate that both standard (10 and 15 kN), as well as non-standard (20 kN) loads do not cause mechanical damage in the toecap structure.