Abstract

An investigation was made of the optimum conditions for the steam pressing of clothing leathers. With six of the leathers used, steam pressing could be carried out at an effective temperature of 75°c for 4 minutes with out any risk of shrinkage; where some shrinkage occurred in three leathers it could have been avoided by lowering the moisture content of the leather before steaming or by shortening the time of steaming.

The set, or shape retention, given to the leathers by the steam-setting treatments was good, about 70% after 7 days recovery. The set is associated with slight stiffening and deepening of colour, both of which can be useful in dry cleaning as they counteract looseness and colour lightening by solvents.