Thermal and mechanical analysis of pickled and tanned cowhide: Effect of solar radiations

Abstract

ABSTRACTCowhide, a natural biopolymer of collagen, forms raw material for leather, biomaterials, and food, among others. Thermal and mechanical analysis was done using dynamic mechanical analyzer. Effect of tanning and natural solar radiations on the storage modulus, tan δ, and thermal stability of pickled and tanned cowhides has been investigated in the temperature range of 30–240°C. Tanning has been shown to enhance thermal stability and storage modulus. However, tanning decreases its dissipative capability. Thermal stability of both tanned and pickled hide decreased with time of exposure to irradiation. Storage modulus dropped drastically within the initial 6 h of natural solar radiations before rising progressively with the subsequent 12, 18, and 24 h, although still lower than that for nonirradiated sample. Thermal–mechanical analysis proved to be a useful technique for assessing effect of tanning and natural solar radiations on cowhide. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43208.