Leather is one of the oldest materials in human history. As early as prehistoric times, humans began to use animal fur for decoration and protection. However, the initial leather manufacturing technology was very simple, just soaking the animal fur in water and then processing it. With the changes of the times, human leather manufacturing technology has gradually evolved and improved. From the initial primitive manufacturing method to modern industrialized production, leather materials play an increasingly important role in human life.
Early leather manufacturing
The earliest leather manufacturing can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian period around 4000 BC. At that time, people soaked animal fur in water and then processed it with natural vegetable oil and salt water. This manufacturing method is very primitive and cannot produce high-quality leather materials. In addition, a lot of labor and time are required in the production process. However, due to the strong toughness and durability of leather materials, they were widely used in ancient society to make clothing, shoes, handbags and other items.
With the changes of the times, human leather manufacturing technology has also gradually developed. Around 1500 BC, the ancient Greeks began to use tanning technology to process animal fur to produce softer and more durable leather materials. The principle of tanning technology is to use tanning materials to cross-link the collagen in animal fur, making it soft, water-resistant, corrosion-resistant and other properties. This manufacturing method was widely used in the ancient Middle East and Europe and became the main method of ancient leather manufacturing.
Manufacturing of genuine leather
Genuine leather refers to natural leather materials made from animal fur. The manufacturing technology of genuine leather is more advanced and complex than that of early leather manufacturing. The main processes of genuine leather manufacturing include: stripping animal fur, soaking, washing, tanning, dyeing and processing. Among them, tanning and dyeing are the most critical steps in genuine leather manufacturing.
In the tanning process, commonly used tanning materials include vegetable tanning materials, chrome tanning materials and synthetic tanning materials. Among them, chrome tanning materials are widely used because of their advantages such as fast processing speed, stable quality and good effect. However, the wastewater and waste residues generated during chrome tanning will pollute the environment, so they need to be reasonably treated and managed.
During the dyeing process, genuine leather can be dyed in different colors as needed to achieve different decorative and protective effects. Before dyeing, the genuine leather needs to be surface treated so that the dye can fully penetrate and fix on the leather surface. At present, the types and quality of dyes are constantly improving, which can meet people's different needs and preferences for leather materials.
Manufacturing of PU and PVC leather
With the continuous development of chemical technology, people have gradually discovered some new synthetic materials that can simulate the appearance and feel of genuine leather, and have better plasticity, waterproofness and durability. These synthetic materials mainly include PU (polyurethane) leather and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) leather.
PU leather is a simulated leather made of polyurethane material, which has the characteristics of softness, water resistance, wear resistance and tear resistance. Its manufacturing method is to coat the polyurethane material on the fiber or non-woven material, and form the leather material after calendering, tanning, dyeing and other processes. Compared with genuine leather, PU leather has the advantages of low cost and easy processing, and can simulate various colors and texture effects. It is widely used in the production of clothing, shoes, furniture and other products.
PVC leather is a kind of simulated leather made of polyvinyl chloride material, which has the characteristics of waterproof, wear-resistant and easy to clean. Its manufacturing method is to coat the polyvinyl chloride material on the substrate, and then form the leather material through calendering, engraving, dyeing and other processes. Compared with PU leather, PVC leather has the advantages of lower cost and stronger toughness, and can simulate various colors and patterns. It is widely used in the production of car seats, luggage, handbags and other products.
Although PU and PVC leather have many advantages, they still have some disadvantages. For example, their production process will produce a large amount of harmful gases and wastewater, which will pollute the environment. In addition, their lifespan is not as long as that of genuine leather, and they are easy to fade and age. Therefore, people need to pay attention to maintenance and maintenance when using these synthetic leather products.
Manufacturing of silicone leather
In addition to traditional genuine leather and synthetic leather, a new type of leather material, silicone leather, has emerged in recent years. Silicone leather is an artificial leather made of high molecular silicone material and artificial fiber coating, which has the advantages of light weight, folding resistance, anti-aging, waterproof, anti-fouling and easy to clean, and skin-friendly and comfortable feel.
Silicone leather has a wide range of uses and can be used to make car interiors, handbags, mobile phone cases and other products. Compared with PU and PVC leather, silicone leather has better hydrolysis resistance, UV resistance, salt spray resistance and high and low temperature resistance, and is not easy to age and fade. In addition, no harmful gases and wastewater are produced during the manufacturing process of silicone leather, and the pollution to the environment is also less.
Conclusion
As an ancient and fashionable material, leather has gone through a long development process. From the initial animal fur processing to modern genuine leather, PU, PVC leather and silicone leather, the types and quality of leather have been continuously improved, and the scope of application has been continuously expanded. Whether it is genuine leather or synthetic leather, it has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and people need to choose according to different needs and scenarios when using it.
Although modern production technology and chemical materials have replaced many traditional leather making methods, real leather is still a precious material, and its unique feel and texture make it the first choice for high-end products. At the same time, people have gradually realized the importance of environmental protection and began to try to use more environmentally friendly and sustainable materials to replace traditional synthetic leather. Silicone leather is one of the new materials. It not only has excellent performance, but also has less pollution to the environment. It can be said to be a very promising material.
In short, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and people's attention to environmental protection, leather, an ancient and fashionable material, is also constantly evolving and developing. Whether it is genuine leather, PU, PVC leather, or silicone leather, it is the crystallization of people's wisdom and hard work. I believe that in the future development, leather materials will continue to innovate and change, bringing more beauty and convenience to human life.
Post time: Jul-15-2024