The sole of protective shoes is an important factor that determines the safety and comfort of the user. Comparing PU and rubber sole materials will help you have more information about the advantages and disadvantages of each type and their applications for suitable jobs and situations. Let's learn more about the content with An Nhien through the comparison below.

Introduction to PU and rubber sole materials

PU (Polyurethane) and rubber are two popular materials used to produce protective labor, most of which are used in protective shoes, thanks to their high durability and many good features such as elasticity, friction, heat resistance, etc.

1. PU (Polyurethane) material

PU is a synthetic material with a polymer structure, formed from a chemical reaction between polyol and isocyanate. PU has many types with different properties depending on the composition and ratio of input materials.

Advantages of protective shoe soles made from PU material:

High durability: PU has good load-bearing capacity, abrasion resistance, and elasticity.
Softness: PU has good elasticity, creating a soft, elastic feeling, reducing the force applied from the foot to the knee during use.
Insulation: PU has poor electrical conductivity, using protective shoes with PU soles will reduce the risk of electric shock when accidentally stepping on exposed electrical wires or coming into contact with electric current from the floor (for low voltage currents below 400V)
Disadvantages of PU soles:

Limited durability: PU soles have a certain lifespan. After a period of use, especially in harsh environmental conditions, PU soles are prone to breakage, collapse, reduced elasticity and anti-slip ability.
Poor resistance to high temperatures: PU soles cannot withstand high temperatures (usually above 300 degrees Celsius). When exposed to excessively high temperatures, the PU sole may deform, affecting the aesthetics and durability of the shoe.

Introduction to PU and rubber sole materials

2. Rubber material

Rubber is a natural material, extracted from rubber trees and through the production process into many different types of rubber, suitable for different needs. In labor protection, rubber is used to make rubber gloves, nose pads in safety glasses, or in safety shoes with anti-slip soles.

Advantages of safety shoe soles made from rubber materials:

• High durability: Rubber has high durability, good bearing capacity, abrasion resistance, elasticity and friction.
• Meets many features: good heat resistance, chemical resistance, anti-slip in industrial environments
• Insulation: Rubber has poor electrical conductivity, safe to use in electrical environments (Depending on the product, it can insulate up to 14kV
• Good elasticity: Rubber has good elasticity, bringing a comfortable feeling when used.

Disadvantages of rubber soles:

• Low temperature resistance: Rubber soles when used in low temperature environments of about -56 degrees Celsius for a long time can lead to hard soles, reduced friction and easy to break the soles.

Comparison of two sole materials PU and rubber

Safety shoe soles made from PU (Polyurethane) and rubber have different characteristics and advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed comparison between these two materials:

1. Durability and longevity

 

• PU: PU safety shoe soles are usually lighter than rubber and have good abrasion resistance, but are not as durable as rubber in harsh environmental conditions such as high temperatures or exposure to chemicals. However, PU soles still have quite good durability under normal conditions and meet the requirements through the test of EN ISO 20345, TCVN 7653:2007/BS or equivalent standards in different countries.
• Rubber: Rubber safety shoe soles are more durable than PU, especially in harsh environmental conditions such as high temperatures, high humidity and exposure to chemicals. Rubber also has better abrasion resistance when subjected to heavy loads.

 

2. Anti-slip

 

• PU: PU soles are not as slip-resistant as rubber when walking on wet surfaces. However, PU still provides a certain amount of grip and meets the anti-slip requirements of safety shoe standards.
• Rubber: Rubber is slip-resistant on many surfaces or has a higher grip. However, if used in low temperature environments, PU soles have better slip-resistant properties, because PU can withstand low temperatures better than rubber.

 

In addition, there are factors that affect the evaluation such as patterns, grooves on the sole of the shoe designed to suit the job. For example, jobs that require climbing, walking on rough construction sites require shoe soles with deep grooves, while jobs such as cold rooms, walking on smooth floors, low temperatures require soles with many, small patterns to increase friction.

Comparison of two sole materials PU and rubber

3. Insulating capacity

• In terms of insulation, both materials have poor electrical conductivity, helping users limit the risk of electric shock when in contact with their feet. And depending on the purpose of using the shoes, they are designed to have the ability to insulate civil or specialized electricity (14kV).

4. Mass

• In terms of weight, the same size, PU sole will be lighter than rubber, however, in terms of the weight of the entire shoe, it depends on many factors such as the materials and the features they bring.
• For example, shoes made of mesh fabric, composite toe, kevlar puncture-resistant sole will be lighter than shoes made of leather, steel toe and sole, because they are made of materials that are light in weight but still ensure protection.

5. Shock absorption and shock absorption

• Both materials have the ability to absorb force and reduce shock, elasticity, helping the wearer when moving will reduce pressure on the knees, reduce knee fatigue, foot pain. However, it should be noted, if using shoes in a low temperature working environment, prioritize PU soles, shoes made in high temperature places prioritize rubber soles.

In short, safety shoes with PU soles or rubber soles have full features such as anti-slip, rich waterproofing, low voltage insulation under 400V, elasticity, shock absorption, reducing foot pain. For outdoor work at high altitudes such as on corrugated iron roofs, where the surface is smooth, wet, high temperature, it is preferable to use safety shoes with rubber soles. For work that often works at low temperatures, moving on floor surfaces, it is preferable to use safety shoes with PU soles.

The impact of shoe soles on workers' health and safety

The sole of safety shoes has a direct impact on the health and safety of workers during work. One of the most important factors is the friction ability of the sole. Both PU and rubber soles have outstanding anti-slip properties, helping to minimize the risk of slipping, especially in working environments with high humidity, grease or slippery surfaces.

This is extremely important in industries such as construction, oil and gas, or food processing, where safety in every step is a prerequisite to avoid accidents.

The impact of shoe soles on workers' health and safety

In addition, the weight of protective shoes also plays an important role in reducing stress for workers. Priority should be given to choosing shoes made from lightweight materials, which help reduce the load on the feet and back when having to move continuously or stand for a long time during the work shift while still ensuring protection. This not only helps workers feel more comfortable but also helps reduce musculoskeletal problems caused by prolonged stress.

In addition, the sole of protective shoes also reduces injuries caused by impact. Absorbing impact force, helping to minimize the risk of injury from sharp objects piercing the sole of the foot. With these protective features, protective shoes are not only a necessary protective equipment but also an important factor contributing to the health and safety of workers in all working situations.

Some products using PU and rubber sole materials

The application of PU and rubber sole materials in safety shoes is becoming more and more popular, because they bring outstanding advantages in protecting and supporting workers. Below are some safety shoe products that apply these materials:

1. ANSa Vera boots

ANSa Vera boots of ANSa protective brand, with 2-layer sole made of rubber, cowhide material helps the product to be resistant to high temperatures, anti-slip, oil and fuel. The product is used in construction environments, factories, mechanical workshops, mines, drilling rigs, industrial parks, ...

2. Jogger Ultima S3 safety shoes

Jogger Ultima S3 safety shoes from the Safety Jogger brand, with PU sole combined with rubber, Kevlar midsole helps the product to be water-resistant, impact-resistant, anti-crushing, anti-static. Jogger Ultima S3 is compatible with workers working in the automotive, food, clean room industries, etc.

Some products using PU and rubber sole materials

3. Hans HS81 Prince safety shoes

Hans HS81 Prince safety shoes are made of two layers of PU/rubber soles that help reduce shock, are anti-slip, oil-resistant and insulated against currents up to 14kW. HS 81 is used in heavy industry, service and maintenance, warehousing and logistics, etc.

4. Delta Plus Jet3 S3 Safety Shoes

Delta Plus Jet3 S3 is designed with a two-layer PU sole, a steel midsole covered with cowhide combined with PU to help the shoe be waterproof, impact-resistant, puncture-resistant, and provide gentle and flexible shock absorption for the user. Jet3 S3 is chosen for use in construction environments, factories, mechanical workshops, and industrial parks.

Conclude

PU and rubber soles are popular materials in the production of shoe soles and protective boots. PU is durable, abrasion resistant, light and soft. Rubber is heat resistant, chemical resistant and highly durable. Depending on the purpose of use and working environment, you can choose protective shoes with PU or rubber soles. Contact An Nhien Company for advice and to find and buy protective shoes with rubber or PU soles according to job requirements!