Abstract

Research at Stahl, into collagen modification and its effect on metal tanning has shown how simple, organic reagents can bind covalently to collagen under mild conditions, subsequently providing binding sites for tanning metals. The nature of these binding sites can be tailored very specifically to suit the particular metal. Experiments on both hide powder and hide pieces have demonstrated that substance and stability of tannage can be increased using these products. A variety of physical techniques has been employed to monitor these effects on a range of metal tannages.