Evaluation of the Tactile Sensations of Leather Car Seat Covers

The tactile sensations of leather car seat covers with different grain patterns were evaluated by physical touch. The covers′ physical properties were also measured. The tactile sensations were evaluated using adjectives like “high-class” and “smoothness” which were examined using principal component analysis. From the correlations between physical properties and sensory evaluations, it was found that tactile sensations correlate with the physical properties of compression and surface friction. The tactile sensations of leather covers were influenced by the grain leather pattern, and those sensations could be predicted by the physical properties. These results will contribute to a final seat design.