Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2004
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Citation: Liu, C. 2004. Drying Studies For Glutaraldehyde-Tanned Leather [abstract]. 227th National Meeting Of The American Chemical Society, Division Of Cellulose And Renewable Materials. Paper No. 89.

Technical Abstract: The environmental and health concerns over the use and disposal of chrome-tanned leather have encouraged the use of non-chrome-tanned (chrome-free) leather. The drying operation is a critical leather-making step to attain the required physical properties for leather products. We recently conducted a drying study on non-chrome-tanned leather made with a glutaraldehyde-tanning process. Results showed that the physical properties of leather, such as area retention and compliance, were affected significantly by the drying method. Observations indicated that toggle drying produces higher area yield; however, it may result in stiffer leather. Data also revealed that leather with inferior toughness often resulted in poor grain break. Our research again showed that residual water content is a key factor for softness. Vacuum drying without toggling yields better toughness and softness. A dimensionless quantity "toughness index" showed a strong correlation with the resultant area retention, which agrees with our previous findings for chrome-tanned leather.