Abstract

A number of retannages have been compared with an unretanned control after applying acrylate, butadiene acrylonitrile-polyvinylidene chloride and nitrocellulose finishes by normal pad and spray or airless spray techniques. It has not been found possible to relate water vapour permeability with the percentage set achieved in the laboratory preforming test. There is some evidence that preforming results in a reduction in break and a loss of flexibility of the finish. Impregnation with an acrylate resin reduces water vapour permeability and the percentage set in preforming but prevents the reduction in break due to preforming. Other properties assessed were substance, area changes due to retannage, water absorption, wet rub resistance, whiteness, cover, gloss, cold crack, wet adhesion, the heat resistance of the finish and heat resistance of the leather by the nip line test.