Abstract

In this work, snuffed full chrome side, semi-chrome kip, vegetable tanned lining sheep and buffed vegetable tanned case hide leathers have been finished with four commercial resin emulsions of the acrylate, methacrylate, butadiene-acrylonitrile and butadiene-methyl methacrylate types. Gloss appears to depend on an interaction between the emulsions and leathers, whereas dry and wet rub fastness and plate release which are properties of the emulsions are independent of the tannage. Cold crack depends on the type of both emulsion and leather but there is no interaction between these factors. The effects of ageing and exposure to sunlight on the colour of the finishes is discussed.