Slippers constitute a type of footwear. They are characterized by an open-back design, with only the front part covering the toes and are typically flat. The materials commonly used in their manufacture include soft leather, plastic, fabric, etc. Slippers are classified into different types based on the wearing occasion and specific functions.

For instance, beach slippers are usually made of plastic rather than plastic fabric. This material choice is mainly for waterproofing and ease of cleaning. The toe area of beach slippers often has a special design and is commonly known as flip-flops. In contrast, indoor slippers designed for winter are intended for warmth and may be made of fluffy fabric instead of plastic, enhancing the comfort when used in living rooms.

Additionally, there are anti-static slippers that are prevalently used in electronics and dust-free factories to prevent the buildup and discharge of static electricity, thereby safeguarding the sensitive electronic components and maintaining the clean room environment.

First of all, first understand the share of various types of slippers in the market.

Today, I mainly talk about the processing of plastic slippers.

Performance Comparison of Commonly Used Plastic Products in Slippers

TPR Bottom: It exhibits a soft texture and excellent waterproof property, along with a certain level of wear resistance. When touched, it gives the familiar rubbery feel. There is also a variant where cloth is pressed into the TPR, enhancing the durability of the TPR.

EVA Bottom: This bottom is firm yet lightweight. It is easy to clean, offers comfort and breathability, and is soft with a rich variety of colors. It is highly processable and easy to bond, with a low likelihood of detachment. It is suitable for beach sandals, home casual sandals, and travel slippers.

PVC Bottom: PVC bottoms are predominantly used in Japanese and Korean slippers. Likely due to the prevalence of wooden floors and carpets in Japanese and Korean households, where the uniformity of bottom slippers facilitates wearing and replacement. This type of bottom is highly popular in Japan and South Korea as it does not accumulate dust easily and can be wiped clean on cloth. However, it is less favored in China because of its relatively blunt foot feel.

Plastic Bottom: Such bottoms have very good slip resistance. Owing to its mute effect, it is widely employed in many high-end hotels and hospitals. It is soft, lightweight, and non-slip.

Plastic slippers production process

1.Ingredient Kneading:

The PVC resin, which serves as the base raw material, is introduced into a kneading machine. Subsequently, a variety of additives are incorporated, and the mixture is subjected to heating and kneading. The heating is facilitated by steam at a pressure of approximately 0.29 MPa. After a period ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, the well-kneaded dough is discharged.

2.Plastic Pull-tab:

The kneaded mixture is then transferred to a two-roller plastic mixer for the processes of plasticating and pulling. The temperature during mastication is maintained at around 130 °C to ensure proper plasticity and consistency of the material.

3.Mold Pressing:

The sheet obtained after mastication and pulling is pressed into a sample piece, typically rectangular in shape. Pieces of different colors can be selected and combined according to the desired color of the sole. Precise weighing of the material is essential to match the cavity capacity and avoid issues such as flash or insufficient material. The mold containing the sheet material is then placed in a hot press. Here, it undergoes heating plasticizing, foaming, and subsequent cooling and setting. The molding plasticizing temperature is set between 160 – 165 °C, with a heating steam pressure of 0.686 – 0.784 MPa and a molding plasticizing pressure of 4.9 MPa. The molding plasticizing time spans 10 – 20 minutes, followed by a cooling setting temperature of 50 °C for 20 minutes. After completion, the plasticized billet is removed from the mold.

4.Heat Treatment:

The heat treatment step aims to further expand and foam the billet under normal pressure conditions, thereby obtaining a foamed sole sheet. The billet is fed into a steam-heated drying room, where the temperature is regulated within 100 – 130 °C for 10 – 15 minutes to induce foaming. The foamed sheet of the slipper bottom is then taken out of the drying room and stored for a week before being sent for punching.

5.Blanking and Assembly:

The foamed sheet material is punched into the shape of slippers according to the specific slipper specifications. Subsequently, holes for eyelets are punched, and the various components are assembled together to yield the final finished slippers.