Abstract

Morphological changes in the ultrastructure of the elastic fibres of goatskins (from the Hankou area of China) were observed simultaneously by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy for different bating conditions in comparison with that of collagenous fibres.

The results showed that the effect of normal bating conditions was appropriate for the small morphological changes of the elastic fibres whilst giving the appropriate structural opening up of the collagen fibres.

Excessive opening up of the collagen fibres occurs when the elastic fibres are broken and seriously digested, it is not expected that this result will occur in practical production.

The results showed that it is impossible to remove elastic fibres under normal bating conditions. The removal of the elastic fibres is not, of course, the ultimate aim of bating, elastic fibres do have a certain influence on the softness of the finished leather but it is not a chief factor.