Abstract

The formation of the unique structure of leather and its reactive ability are explained on the basis of a series of experimental results. The topics discussed include, among other things, phenomena like alterations in the molecular and fibrous structure on heat denaturation (hydrothermal shrinkage), mechanisms of crosslinking with chrome tanning agents, the changes in the fibrous structure caused by the deposition or infiltration of tanning materials and fatty substances and finally, the physical changes and modifications of the fibres on drying. These modifications have an immediate bearing on the evaluation of area yield of leather.