Comparable Evaluation of Leather Waterproofing Behaviour upon Hide Quality. I. Influence of Retanning and Fatliqouring Agents on Leather Structure and Properties

For military leather processing pinnacle technologies are applied, because the leather must have extreme hydrophobicity, herewith to maintain the breathability and moisture management capabilities. Therefore, leather producers must use such tanning chemicals, which are able to impart sufficient waterproofness and vapour permeability. In this study the influence of retanning and fatliquoring technologies for wet-blue hide conversion into finished military leather on its waterproofing behaviour and breathability has been studied. The comparable evaluation of leathers manufactured in Lithuanian and Kazakhstan tanneries was carried out. The leathers were characterized by chemical analysis and moisture absorption, water vapour permeability and water vapour absorption properties.