The Water Vapor Absorption Tester GT-KC51 is used to assess water vapor absorption in leather and non-leather upper materials. For quality-control teams and material-development professionals, this type of evaluation provides a structured way to observe how a specimen changes in mass after exposure to water vapor under defined test conditions.
Water-vapor behavior can be an important consideration when comparing upper materials intended for footwear and related applications. Rather than relying only on visual assessment, a controlled test setup supports a repeatable before-and-after measurement process. The resulting water vapor absorption value can help teams document material behavior and make more informed evaluation decisions.
What the Water Vapor Absorption Tester GT-KC51 Evaluates
The Water Vapor Absorption Tester GT-KC51 is designed for determining a coefficient of water vapor absorption for upper materials. It can be applied to both leather and non-leather specimens. The central evaluation principle is straightforward: record the mass of a prepared sample before testing, expose it to the specified test environment, and measure the sample again after the test period.
The difference between the initial and final measurements is used in the calculation of water vapor absorption. This makes mass change a key part of the test record. A consistent preparation and weighing routine is therefore important for obtaining results that can be compared within the same testing program.
Test Setup and Main Construction
The leather material water vapor tester uses six stainless steel cups fitted into a plastic base. The cup arrangement holds the containers vertically during testing. Each testing container is prepared with water, while the specimen is mounted across the container opening so that it does not directly contact the water.
According to the described procedure, 50 ml of water is added to the testing container. The sample is then installed at the mouth of the container together with an impervious material and a film arrangement. The container lid is fitted and the compression screw is tightened to secure the assembly for the test duration.
Why specimen positioning matters
Keeping the specimen separate from the liquid water helps focus the evaluation on water vapor absorption rather than direct liquid-water uptake. The installed film, lid, and compression arrangement also form part of the specimen setup. Operators should follow the established laboratory procedure for the relevant material and test condition.
Typical Water Vapor Absorption Test Workflow
- Weigh the specimen. Measure and record the sample mass before exposure. This reading establishes the baseline for the calculation.
- Prepare a test container. Select a container and loosen its screw to allow the test assembly to be prepared.
- Add water. Place 50 ml of water in the container as specified in the described method.
- Mount the sample. Position the specimen over the container mouth, ensuring that it does not contact the water directly.
- Apply the film and close the lid. Place the film over the sample, fit the lid, and tighten the compression screw.
- Allow the test period to elapse. Keep the assembly in the specified environmental condition for the required testing time.
- Reweigh the sample. Remove the specimen after testing and measure its mass again.
- Calculate the result. Use the applicable calculation method to derive the water vapor absorption value or coefficient from the measured mass change.
Using Results in Quality Control
A water vapor absorption result is a quantitative input for evaluating materials. It may be useful when reviewing incoming materials, comparing development samples, or documenting quality checks for leather and non-leather upper materials. The result should be considered alongside the defined test conditions, specimen preparation, and the organization’s own acceptance criteria.
For meaningful comparisons, it is helpful to keep the test setup consistent. Recording the specimen’s initial mass, final mass, test duration, and relevant environmental condition creates a clearer basis for internal review. Repeating the same process for different samples can support a more organized material assessment workflow.
The Water Vapor Absorption Tester provides a practical setup for evaluating water vapor absorption through controlled exposure and mass measurement. Its six-cup configuration, water-filled containers, specimen mounting method, and before-and-after weighing process support the assessment of leather and non-leather upper materials. By following a consistent procedure, quality-control and development teams can use the resulting measurements as part of their material evaluation process.
