HG/T 2411-2006 is a chemical-industry standard used in footwear material testing to evaluate how sole materials resist flex-cracking and crack growth under repeated 90° flexing.
This method is commonly used for incoming material checks, product qualification, and durability comparisons across outsole compounds and processing conditions. If you need help mapping this method to a specific outsole material or sample form, talk with our team.
HG/T 2411-2006 — Test method for 90° flexing of sole material
HG/T 2411 focuses on a controlled flexing exposure intended to reveal cracking behavior in shoe sole materials. In typical use, a defined cut/notch is introduced and the specimen is flexed, then crack growth is evaluated after a specified number of cycles.
Quick Definition
Document type: Test method.
Primary purpose: Measure flex-cracking resistance / crack-growth tendency of sole materials under repeated 90° flexing.
Typical outcome: A crack-growth or cracking-severity result used for durability screening and material comparison.
What This Standard Covers
This standard describes a laboratory procedure for flexing sole-material specimens to evaluate resistance to cracking. It includes the concept of a pre-cut (to promote controlled crack initiation), specimen conditioning/test temperature considerations, and result expression based on the observed crack growth or cracking condition.
Because outsole compounds can vary widely (rubbery, thermoplastic elastomers, PVC variants, filled formulations), this method is often used as a comparative screening tool rather than a single-pass “accept/reject” test unless a product specification sets clear criteria.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Flex-cracking is a common durability failure mode for soles and sole components, especially in repeated bending zones. HG/T 2411 helps testing teams quantify how formulation choices, processing, ageing, and environmental conditions affect crack initiation and growth under flexing.
For QA/QC, it can support supplier comparison and lot-to-lot monitoring. For R&D, it is useful for material selection and optimization when balancing flexibility, abrasion, hardness, and long-term crack resistance.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
This method is most commonly associated with outsole and sole-material evaluation in footwear programs, including materials used in molded or assembled soles and related components where repeated bending can drive cracking.
Common applications: Outsole compound benchmarking, durability qualification for new sole formulations, and comparative evaluation after conditioning or ageing steps defined by a product standard or internal test plan.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
In practice, labs use HG/T 2411 as part of a broader footwear-material verification workflow that typically includes specimen preparation, conditioning at a defined temperature, flexing to a defined angle and cycle count, and post-test inspection/measurement of cracking or crack growth.
Workflow note: The exact specimen geometry, notch/cut details, conditioning temperature, and cycle targets are critical to comparable results and should match the cited edition of the standard and any customer/product requirement.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
HG/T 2411 typically points to a dedicated flexing (fatigue) test machine capable of controlled 90° flexing and repeatable cycling. Supporting tools are also important for consistent specimen preparation and result evaluation.
Common equipment: 90° flexing/fatigue tester, cycle counter/controller, specimen holders/fixtures for sole-material strips, cutting/notching tools, and inspection/measurement tools for crack-growth evaluation.
If you are sizing a flexing system by specimen capacity, cycle rate, and fixture style for your outsole materials, you can request a detailed quote for an equipment configuration matched to your throughput and reporting needs.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
HG/T indicates a chemical-industry standard. The number 2411 is the document identifier. When shown as HG/T 2411-2006, the “2006” indicates the publication year of that edition.
Revision sensitivity: Flexing angle, cycle settings, specimen details, conditioning, and how results are expressed can be edition-dependent. When purchasing equipment or setting acceptance criteria, always align the setup to the exact version cited in your contract, product standard, or test plan.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
Footwear and outsole durability programs frequently combine flexing/crack-growth evaluation with other physical property tests (for example abrasion, hardness, tensile/elongation, and bond strength) specified by the applicable product standard or customer requirement.
When a test plan cites multiple flexing approaches (or cites international methods alongside HG/T documents), ensure the lab’s fixtures and motion profile match the specified method to avoid mixing non-comparable results.
Get help selecting a flexing test setup
If you are standardizing a crack-growth flexing workflow for outsole materials and need help matching fixtures, cycle capability, and documentation to your cited edition, contact our team to discuss your application.