In many sports applications, understanding how material properties evolve over time and with use plays a fundamental role in ensuring consistent performance and safety. Similarly to what occurs in the world of motor racing, where tire behavior strongly depends on the state of wear and operating conditions, in running footwear the viscoelastic properties of the materials in contact with the ground also influence the dynamic response of the system.
The application of VESevo technology presented focuses on the characterization of running shoes, with the objective of monitoring the evolution of the viscoelastic properties of the sole material throughout the entire life cycle of the product.
Tests were conducted at different temperatures in order to evaluate how material properties, in terms of softness and energy dissipation capability, vary not only with wear but also as a function of thermal conditions, reproducing realistic usage scenarios.
The study focused on the analysis of the viscoelastic properties, namely the storage modulus (E1) and the loss factor (TanD), measured through tests performed at different temperatures, allowing the evaluation of how the material behavior varies as a function of both thermal and wear conditions. The storage modulus (E1) provides information related to the material hardness, while TanD is associated with its hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation characteristics.
Comparative analysis of the results highlighted progressive variations in material properties with increasing wear, showing a modification of the dynamic response of the sole over time.
The results of the case study show how VESevo can also be effectively employed in the sports field for the analysis of material performance, providing useful information both for footwear design and for the evaluation of durability and performance throughout the usage cycle.