Characteristics of leather
Leather is one of the oldest goods of mankind, and most likely the first natural material that was chemically modified by man. Leather is a natural product and is made by converting animal hides and skins by means of a tannage, which consists of numerous mechanical and chemical operations.
The tannage causes a permanent preservation of the animal hide by cross-linking the hide proteins. This process converts the hide into leather and makes it resistant to putrefaction even when heated in humid conditions. The tanned hide will dry in air like leather, i.e. it still remains smooth and flexible and retains the breathing characteristics of the natural hide. The exceptional amounts of fibers and bundles of fibers and their irregular and interlaced three dimensional structure lead to the outstanding properties. The qualities that are typical for leather are good tear and tensile strength, elasticity, breathability, air and water vapor permeability, thermal insulation and water resistance, shape retention as well as the constant performance of these properties under varying influences of temperature and moisture. Until today many efforts were made to create a synthetic material that is able to provide the multiple and unique properties of leather, but all attempts to imitate leather were proven to be unsuccessful.
Nowadays these various processes demand highly developed chemicals and machinery in order to stay efficient and to meet the stringent regulations of the environmental protection. LANXESS is a competent and qualified supplier to the leather manufacturing industry, which operates worldwide and provides the required high quality products and technologies.
Basically the leather making process takes place in 4 major steps. Firstly, prior to the actual tanning process the hides and skins are cleaned ina beamhouse processes in order to remove all ingredients which are not suitable for the manufacturing of leather, e.g. hairs and fat cells etc. Secondly, after this preparation the hides and skins are ready for the tanning process. Most commonly chromium tanning materials are chosen, but also vegetable extracts are often used. Thirdly, the subsequent wet finishing process is required to provide the leather with some appointed properties, like softness, color and handle. Fourthly, the final procedure that is applied to the leather is the finish and influences the final appearance, like gloss, touch or effects.
Due to the unique and manifold properties which can only be obtained with this natural product, leather is the preferred material for many areas of application, from daily used articles to exclusive, highly fashionable items. The unique characteristics of leather originate from the particular structure of the animal hides used as well as mechanical and chemical operations that were employed for the making of the leather.
The tannage causes a permanent preservation of the animal hide by cross-linking the hide proteins. This process converts the hide into leather and makes it resistant to putrefaction even when heated in humid conditions. The tanned hide will dry in air like leather, i.e. it still remains smooth and flexible and retains the breathing characteristics of the natural hide. The exceptional amounts of fibers and bundles of fibers and their irregular and interlaced three dimensional structure lead to the outstanding properties. The qualities that are typical for leather are good tear and tensile strength, elasticity, breathability, air and water vapor permeability, thermal insulation and water resistance, shape retention as well as the constant performance of these properties under varying influences of temperature and moisture. Until today many efforts were made to create a synthetic material that is able to provide the multiple and unique properties of leather, but all attempts to imitate leather were proven to be unsuccessful.
Nowadays these various processes demand highly developed chemicals and machinery in order to stay efficient and to meet the stringent regulations of the environmental protection. LANXESS is a competent and qualified supplier to the leather manufacturing industry, which operates worldwide and provides the required high quality products and technologies.
Basically the leather making process takes place in 4 major steps. Firstly, prior to the actual tanning process the hides and skins are cleaned in
Due to the unique and manifold properties which can only be obtained with this natural product, leather is the preferred material for many areas of application, from daily used articles to exclusive, highly fashionable items. The unique characteristics of leather originate from the particular structure of the animal hides used as well as mechanical and chemical operations that were employed for the making of the leather.
LANXESS Links
