Abstract

In the leather industry, shrinkage temperature (Ts) is determined by the IUP 16 method. However, only microanalytical techniques like the Microscopic Hot Table (MHT) method are appropriate for the Ts of leather objects of historical value. No more than 0.1-0.4mg of sample is needed for the test. The precision and accuracy of the MHT method were investigated taking the official IUP 16 method as a reference. It was concluded that the Ts determined by both methods are in good agreement. The MHT method is precise and sensitive enough to state that small changes of 1.3°C detected in Ts are statistically significant. The method was successfully applied to determine the Ts of several artefacts of the Leather Museum of Igualada.