Abstract

The influence of different variables such as any previous conditioning of the leather, and relative humidity and temperature during the setting treatment on ovine upper leather shape retention behaviour, has been determined using both linear and bi-dimensional stretching equipment. Shape retention has been determined on test pieces after different ageing conditions, simulating conditions which can be suffered by the shoe during its transport, storage and wear. Very favourable results can be obtained by treating the test pieces at 80°C and relative humidities higher than 50%, regardless of the previous conditioning treatment.