BALLY Water Penetration Tester GT-KC06

BALLY Water Penetration Tester | Leather Dynamic Waterproofness Machine

A rectangular test specimen is bent partly round, and secured between, two cylindrical clamps so as to form a trough. The trough is then immersed in water and the clamps oscillate at a constant speed so that the specimen is repeatedly flexed. The time taken for water penetration through the test specimen to occur is recorded. The mass of water absorbed by, and transmitted through, the test specimen can also be measured.

Q1: What is the primary testing principle of the BALLY Water Penetration Tester GT-KC06?

A: A rectangular material specimen (75 × 60 mm) is folded into a trough shape and clamped between two cylindrical holders in a water bath. As the clamps move horizontally at a constant frequency (50 rpm), the specimen undergoes repeated flexing while partially submerged in water. The instrument measures three key parameters: the time required for initial water penetration, the total mass of water absorbed, and the amount of water transmitted through the material.

Q2: What is the difference between static and dynamic water penetration testing for leather?

A: Static tests measure water resistance without moving the specimen, which fails to account for material deformation during walking. Dynamic testing on the GT-KC06 BALLY Tester actively flexes the specimen underwater. This dynamic action forces water through pores and grain structures under mechanical stress, offering a far more realistic evaluation of how footwear upper leather or performance textiles perform in wet environments.

Q3: How does the GT-KC06 signal when water penetration occurs?

A: The GT-KC06 utilizes an automatic electrode induction shutdown mechanism. Once water penetrates through the specimen structure and makes contact with the internal electrode sensor, an electrical circuit is triggered, automatically recording the exact penetration time and stopping the specific station timer.

Q4: What optional accessories are recommended for complete testing according to ISO 5403-1?

A: To perform testing strictly according to ISO 5403-1 or EN ISO 20344, laboratories should pair the GT-KC06 with:

• GT-KD20 Pneumatic Specimen Cutting Machine with a precise 75 ± 2 mm × 60 ± 1 mm cutter for standardized sample preparation.
• Precision Electronic Balance (0.001g accuracy) to weigh specimens before and after flexing to calculate water absorption percentage and transmitted water mass.