Abstract

This paper mainly analyzes the tear strength of different parts of cattle and sheep leather, and analyzes the reasons for the differences in tear strength from a microscopic perspective. The sampling of cattle and sheep leather in different parts was carried out and the tear strength data of different parts of cattle and sheep leather were obtained based on the unilateral tear experiment, and the mechanical properties were further analyzed. After the study, it was found that the tear strength of the cattle in the direction parallel to the spine was: neck> belly> back> butt, and the tear strength of sheepskin was: belly> neck> back> butt. Perpendicular to the spine, the tear strength of the cowhide is: neck> back> belly> butt, and the tear strength of sheepskin is: belly> back> neck> butt. The tear strength of sheepskin is generally less than that of cowhide. SEM images and collagen fibre weaving analysis showed that the tear strength of cowhide was greater than that of sheepskin due to differences in collagen orientation, porosity, and fibre bundle diameter. The proportion of the corium and the tightness of the collagen fibres make the tear strength difference between different parts of the cowhide, and tanning will have a greater impact on the parts with tighter fibre weaving. The proportion of the grain, the direction and tightness of collagen fibre weaving affect the difference in tear strength of each part of the sheepskin to a certain extent.