Abstract

The effect of histological features of leather on acrylic resin retanning was investigated by retanning pigskin, cattle hide and sheepskin leathers with fluorescein-labelled poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). A deeper penetration and a higher uptake rate of PAA were observed in the belly area of pigskin leather compared to in its butt area. This led to a greater increase in leather thickness of the belly. As for cattle hide and sheepskin leathers whose structural difference in various parts is not obvious, the differences in penetration and uptake of PAA and increase in leather thickness between their butts and their bellies were relatively slight. These results indicated that acrylic resins penetrate and fill the thinner and looser parts of the leather more easily. This fact gives acrylic resins a good selective filling property and is helpful to level out the structure of leather.