Recycling leather waste: Preparing and studying on the microstructure, mechanical, and rheological properties of leather waste/rubber composite

Leather tanning processes cause environmental impact as a result of the generation of solid waste, wastewater, and release of gases. The improper disposal of such waste may promote the oxidation of chromium, for example, changing it from chromium (III) to chromium (VI), in which becomes extremely toxic. In this study, composites were prepared from natural rubber (NR) with industrial leather waste (Lw), varying the waste amount from 20 to 80 phr, with the aim of recycling leather waste. The microstructure, mechanical properties and rheological properties of composites were investigated. The results showed that Lw increased tensile strength and hardness, with good reproducibility, and uniformity of residuals distributed as fillers (miscible materials). These properties indicate that this composite material can be used as raw material for the manufacture of shoes, bags, upholstery, etc. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2275–2281, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers