Abstract

Diffusion of moisture has been studied in full chrome leather. The diffusion coefficient is concentration dependent, and dependent also on temperature. At moderate concentrations, corresponding to different relative humidities from 65 % upwards, it decreases to a minimum and then increases again as the concentration of moisture is raised. The increase is attributed to the onset of liquid movement, and the effective diffusion coefficient becomes infinite at high concentrations for this reason. The minimum diffusion coefficients at —5, 20 and 40°c are of the order 01, 10 and 16 x 1O cm sec’ respectively. The results are applied to some problems connected with leather testing and technology.