Thermophysiological properties of bovine leather in dependence on the sampling point, tanning and finishing agents

Abstract

The influence of differently tanned and finished bovine leather on thermophysiological properties was investigated. In addition, it was investigated whether sampling has a significant influence on the thermophysiological properties. The back of the tested leathers is thicker than the neck because of better microstructure regularity and uniformity as well as thicker and denser distributed fibrils than in the neck parts. The neck parts have a greater proportion of air-filled spaces between the fibrils, resulting in a higher thermal resistance of the leather neck parts. Considering the thickness of synthetic and chrome-tanned leathers (dyed and hydrophobized), the thinner chrome-tanned leathers (0.063 W m−1 °C−1 for the neck part, 0.090 W m−1 °C−1 for the back part part) have almost the same thermal conductivity as synthetic ones (0.065 W m−1 °C−1 for the neck part, 0.089 W m−1 °C−1 for the back part). Their thermal and water vapour resistance show considerable differences. There is no significant difference in water vapour resistance of the neck and back part of chrome tanned, dyed and hydrophobized leather (25.27 m2 Pa W−1 for the neck part; 25.15 m2 Pa W−1 for the back part) in contrast to equally treated synthetically tanned leather (30.38 m2 Pa W−1 for the neck part; 26.96 m2 Pa W−1 for the back part).The presented study could help in choosing the appropriate point of sampling, tanning as well as finishing agents for obtaining satisfying thermophysiological comfort in the wide range of leather application.