Abstract

The effect of treating chrome retanned upper leathers with four commercial impregnating resins (ethyl and butyl acrylate types) has been studied. Both the acrylic emulsion and the wetting agent concentration were again highly significant in determining leather break and other properties. While the leather grain break can be improved with the four resins, unsuitable formulation can result in a coarse pipey break, particularly after flexing. Attempts to correlate the depth of penetration of the impregnating resins with improved grain break have been unsuccessful. The effect of the ethyl alcohol concentration and the quantity of impregnating resin applied on the finished leather properties is also discussed.