Utilization of waste leather for the fabrication of composites and to study its mechanical and thermal properties

In this present work the preparation and characterization of waste leather-reinforced epoxy resin composites were assessed. Composite sheets of various leather loadings were prepared with thicknesses ranging from 2.5 mm to 5 mm to 7.5 mm and studied using response surface methodology by employing a central composite design. The final optimized sample of composites was tested for tensile, flexural, impact and chemical resistance, and their assessment was carried out. Composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties as the loading percentage of leather was increased. Bonding between the matrix and leather was analysed using SEM looking at the fractured surfaces, which showed that at the highest leather loading the composite demonstrated close packing and adhesion. TGA and DTA analysis proved excellent thermal stability with an increase in leather loading. The DMA analysis of composites indicated an increase in storage modulus and loss modulus and decrease in Tan δ peak with an increase in leather loading. Composites showed no deterioration, thereby having excellent chemical resistance.