Abstract

The hand evaluation method has been used to characterize the handle of leather (softness, fullness and elasticity) for many years. However, there is a certain subjective element affecting the final result. It would be valuable to set up a scientific theory and find a parameterized objective test method for leather handle character. In this paper, research results were analyzed to determine whether there was a interrelation between the handle character (softness, fullness and elasticity) and mechanical parameters measured at specific mechanical states.

Softness can be characterized by bending coefficient (Kb); fullness can be characterized by compression index (Kc); stretchability by lastometer coefficient (K1) and elasticity by bending stress relaxation attenuation constant (αb) and bending stress attenuation (K). The statistical method of discriminatory two class analysis (DATC) was here adopted to characterize the handle of leather. The corresponding experiment and the application of DATC in the evaluation of leather handle character was carried out and the DATC results were found to be significant at a level greater than 99%.

The findings indicate that the DATC method can be regarded as a comprehensive analysis method to, objectively and correctly, characterize the handle of leather.