Here are some of the materials used in Hiking Shoe Soles, below will show the part 1 :
1. Vulcanized Rubbers
Because of its durability and versatility, rubber is known as the most traditional material for shoes and sneakers soles. It can be used in different ways even though it is mainly used in highly compressed molded form or with a blowing agent in microcellular form (MCR). Natural rubber (NR) has exceptional stretchability and excellent low temperature properties and a higher sliding resistance, puncture and cutting, compared to PVC. Good resistance to acids, bases, alcohols and water solutions diluted most chemicals that are water soluble. However, NR will be damaged by constant exposure to oil and oil based solvents.
Natural and synthetic rubbers are polymeric materials owning the elastic characteristic properties. In addition, there are elastomers – substances, including mixtures containing natural rubber having qualities similar to those of rubbers :
– Styrene-butadiene (SBR)
Low cost and most commonly used among synthetic rubbers. This can vary greatly in quality and composition and is a mixture of a base of natural or synthetic rubber with additives such as accelerators, vulcanizing agents, dyes, fillers, and softeners. SBR can be any color and quality depending on the composition and ingredients’ purity. A gum color or only semi-opaque rubber generally indicates a superior quality containing more pure materials. However, no visual test can determine the quality of the rubber soles. Therefore, the durability and strength of a rubber sole can be identified only by laboratory analysis or a wear test in Kacamata Rayban.
Read More : Hiking Shoe Insole
– Nitrile rubber (NBR)
Copolymerization
of butadiene and acrylonitrile produces these elastomers having
excellent resistance to petroleum oils, gasoline, mineral and vegetable
oils.
– Neoprene (Chloroprene, CR) rubber
Well-known for its balance of properties, unique among synthetic elastomers. Neoprene has better resistance to oils, ozone, oxidation and exposure to heat than natural rubber but has the low temperature flexibility of natural rubber, preventing their use in impact applications or shock of low temperature.
2. Microcellular rubber (MCR)
MCR is a composite blend of natural rubber and additives having a cellular structure and is mainly used for soles and wedges. It can also be used for the sole material of certain shoes.
