Abstract

This paper details our comparison of the structure of superfine fibre synthetic leather and natural leather cattle hide. The differences between the microfilaments and between the two-layer braiding [interweaving] of synthetic leather and the three-layer braiding [interweaving] of natural leather were observed from the view of microstructure, and studied by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influence of fibre structure, braiding form and leather’s structure on the physical and chemical properties are discussed.

The results showed that synthetic leather simulates the microstructure of natural leather because the superfine fibre is similar to the fineness and structure of the fibril. The natural leather has a stereoscopic structure with the continuously changing degree of fibre crosslinking. The synthetic leather has a three-dimensional structure of superfine fibre non-wovens and microporous polyurethane. The uniform braiding structure of the synthetic leather is its advantage, but it is restricted technically by the lack of a grain layer. Therefore, reducing the fibre fineness, increasing braiding density, number of layers and simulating a grain layer structure are the required direction of development for synthetic leather to better simulate natural leather.