Abstract

This research was carried out in order to investigate mechanisms of improving leather strength through the addition of polyurethanes. FT-IR studies illustrated that application of heat and pressure to the impregnated leather resulted in an increase in strength, however there was a subsequent reduction in the aesthetic properties. Further research was undertaken to improve the interaction and distribution of a polyurethane within leather through modification of the leather fibre’s surface properties. By making the fibres hydrophobic and thus more closely matching the polyurethane, it was possible to increase the tearing strength of leather.