Abstract

The investigation of the variability of the mechanical properties of side and calf leather by Popplewell and Ward has been extended to chrome tanned sheepskin. The plastic set and stress for constant extension have been determined for strips from various positions on the tanned skin. The plastic set showed large variability between neighbouring samples. There was a tendency for strips from the belly region, cut parallel to the backbone, to give higher values of the set, on average, than elsewhere. The stress at constant extension varied systematically with position, the pattern resembl ing in main features that already reported for full chrome calf and side leather. The results have been related to observations of the fibre weave, as shown by the light microscope.