Difference between revisions of "Oils & fats in the leather industry"

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==Oils, fats and waxes in the [[leather production]]==
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==Oils, fats and waxes in the leather production==
Greases, oils and waxes play an important role in the [[leather production|leather production process]]. They are used to help achieve certain [[leather quality|properties]] ([[Haptic evaluation of leather surfaces|softness]], [[Waterproofing leather|waterproofing]] or appearance). Fats, oils and waxes are main components of [[leather care]] and are also sometimes used directly during [[Tanning with fats and oils|tanning]]. The fat content in the leather after tanning is about 1 to 25%.
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Greases, oils and waxes play an important role in the [[leather production|leather production process]]. They are used to help achieve certain [[leather quality|properties]] ([[Haptic evaluation of leather surfaces|softness]], [[Waterproofing leather|waterproofing]] or appearance). The refatting also prevents the leather fibers from sticking together during [[leather production#Drying|drying]] in leather production. Fats, oils and waxes are main components of [[leather care]] and are also sometimes used directly during [[Tanning with fats and oils|tanning]]. The fat content in the leather after tanning is about 1 to 25%.
  
  
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* Waxes: Carnauba wax, montan wax, wool grease
 
* Waxes: Carnauba wax, montan wax, wool grease
 
* Synthetic fats: Paraffin oil, mineral oil, fatty alcohol, fatty acid ester
 
* Synthetic fats: Paraffin oil, mineral oil, fatty alcohol, fatty acid ester
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Fats and oils that are introduced into the leather must always be heated in such a way that they become liquid and can thus penetrate the fiber structure.
  
  
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! bgcolor=#eeeeee | [[Leather production|Process steps in the leather production]]
 
! bgcolor=#eeeeee | [[Leather production|Process steps in the leather production]]
 
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| bgcolor=#ffffff align=center | [[storage of leather|storage]] - [[soaking]] - [[Liming - Leather Tanning|liming]] - [[Fleshing - Making of leather|fleshing]] - [[Split leather|splitting]] - [[pickling]] - [[Tanning leather|tanning]] - [[neutralising]] - [[Drying leather|withering]] - [[Leather production#Sorting|sorting]] - [[shaving]] - [[Leather production#Dyeing (through colouring) and fatliquoring|dyeing (through colouring) and fatliquoring]] - [[Drying leather|drying]] - [[finish]] - [[softening]] - [[Leather quality|final check]]
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| bgcolor=#ffffff align=center | [[storage of leather|storage]] - [[soaking]] - [[Liming - Leather Tanning|liming]] - [[Fleshing - Making of leather|fleshing]] - [[Split leather|splitting]] - [[pickling]] - [[Tanning leather|tanning]] - [[neutralising]] - [[Drying leather|withering]] - [[Leather production#Sorting|sorting]] - [[shaving]] - [[Leather production#Dyeing - Fatliquoring - Re-tanning|dyeing - fatliquoring - retanning]] - [[Drying leather|drying]] - [[finish]] - [[softening]] - [[Leather quality|final check]]
 
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Latest revision as of 13:09, 13 July 2023

LEATHER-DICTIONARY.jpg


Oils, fats and waxes in the leather production

Greases, oils and waxes play an important role in the leather production process. They are used to help achieve certain properties (softness, waterproofing or appearance). The refatting also prevents the leather fibers from sticking together during drying in leather production. Fats, oils and waxes are main components of leather care and are also sometimes used directly during tanning. The fat content in the leather after tanning is about 1 to 25%.


Fatliquoring (regreasing)

During the tanning process, the animal's natural fats are removed from the rawhide because, as they are not preserved, they will become rancid. To obtain a soft and stable leather, it must be re-greased. Going back to the origins of tanning, leather used to be re-greased with milk, brain, egg yolk, vegetable oil or fish transe (also called "fish oil"). Fats were also used for fat tanning. A finished oiled leather has a fat content of up to 25%.

Fatliquoring involves reapplying water-soluble oils to leather. This can be done in the tanning process or even after dry cleaning. The dry cleaning process is carried out in a solvent bath, which thoroughly degreases the leather. The fatliquor makes the leather supple and stable and gives a handsome appearance to the "starved" look of degreased leather.

Oils and fats affect the smell of leather. They are among many substances used in tanning which influence the smell of the finished leather. Fatliquors of good quality do not have an intrusive odour.


Raw materials for the fatliquoring agents

  • Sea animal oils: Fish oil
  • Land animal oils and fats: Claw oil, beef tallow, pig fat, bone fat
  • Vegetable oils and fats: Palm oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, coconut fat, palm kernel fat, turkey red oil
  • Waxes: Carnauba wax, montan wax, wool grease
  • Synthetic fats: Paraffin oil, mineral oil, fatty alcohol, fatty acid ester

Fats and oils that are introduced into the leather must always be heated in such a way that they become liquid and can thus penetrate the fiber structure.


Fischoel-01.jpg Klauenoel-01.jpg

fish oil - claw oil

 

Fats in leather care and finish

Leather is not only greased and oiled during production to make it supple and soft. Fats and oils are also used as leather care against wear (in particular, shoe polish), or to waterproof leather, or to preserve old and dry leather by re-greasing and softening.

Oils, greases and waxes are also used in the finish. For pull up (greased leather - waxed leather - oiled leather), these substances are used to achieve certain effects in the surface. Pull-up leather usually has patina which increases with time.


Tasche-Fettleder-01.jpg

Pull-Up-Riemen-02.jpg

pull up leather - waxed leather

 

Video about the treatment of hardened vintage car leather


How to soften old, hardened car leather.


Additional information


Video about the leather production


The leather production in a modern tannery.


Process steps in the leather production
storage - soaking - liming - fleshing - splitting - pickling - tanning - neutralising - withering - sorting - shaving - dyeing - fatliquoring - retanning - drying - finish - softening - final check


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