Niektóre operacje technologiczne przyczyniające się do powstawania wad i nietrwałości skór wyprawionych (część 1)

Abstract

Tanned leather is one of the oldest materials, that has been used by mankind. Throughout the ages leather has been used for clothing and footwear, leather haberdashery, elements of machinery, book binding etc. Before the hide becomes a ready to use product (that is tanned, or dressed leather) must undergo several different processes, such as: I. introductory procedure – preserving (with salts, by drying etc.), washing and soaking in water, liming (removing of hair-coat and “opening” the hide) and de -liming as well as the accompanying mechanical treatment, curing and so on (depending on the tanning method); II. tanning (with organic or mineral tanners, with smoke etc.); III. fi nishing treatment, such as oiling, drying, whitening, tinting etc.

In 19th century the art of tanning leather has been transformed into an industry. To speed-up particular operations one started to use various machines and more aggressive chemicals were used. Acceleration of tanning processes negatively infl uenced the quality and durability of leather. During tanning occur many factors negatively infl uencing the properties of ready product. For example preserving the hides by drying may cause their brittleness, and during soaking bacteria, attacking collagen may develop in excessive amounts.