Abstract

A novel process has been developed to produce ‘hot pressed leather fibre composite’, a new material, from leather scrap. Characteristic of the process are the raw material, scrap of mixed tannages skin or hide, reduced to fibers, and the process parameters, namely temperature and high pressure. By use of additives and by changing the process parameters, the internal structure and mechanical properties of this new material may be changed. Ageing of the material, apparent in the change of its mechanical properties and its structural background has been investigated. Ageing studies revealed the compatibility of additives with the raw material. Because of the relationship of the material to both plastic and leather, the term Pleather was coined to designate the material.