The many advantages offered by chrome tanning justify its widespread use for production of almost all types of leather. However, the traditional chromium(III) tanning process is constantly under threat from the pressure of legislation and ever-tightening restrictions require to minimize chromium-containing effluents discharge and chromium-containing wastes production. Recently, the manufacture and use of chromium(III) free tanning agents compounds have been studied intensively. Aluminum, zirconium and titanium compounds has been found to be an effective alternative to chromium salts. In particular, titanium is abundant in nature, easily obtainable and non-toxic. So, titanium tanning is one of the most promising replacements for chromium tanning in today’s leather industry. In this study we investigated the use of titanium salts as tanning agent for the production of high quality bovine upper leather. The technical feasibility of the innovative titanium tannage process was experimentally explored. Several experimental activities have been performed, carrying out tests of chrome and titanium tanning on two different types of skins to assess the quality of the finished leathers obtained by new titanium tannage compared to the leathers obtained by traditional chrome tannage. The results have shown that the finished leathers are appropriate for different final uses and are comparable to the ones obtained by the conventional chromium process in terms of physical-mechanical properties.
A technical feasibility study on titanium tanning to obtain upper quality versatile leather
CASTIELLO, DOMENICO;PUCCINI, MONICA;VITOLO, SANDRA;SEGGIANI, MAURIZIA
2011-01-01
Abstract
The many advantages offered by chrome tanning justify its widespread use for production of almost all types of leather. However, the traditional chromium(III) tanning process is constantly under threat from the pressure of legislation and ever-tightening restrictions require to minimize chromium-containing effluents discharge and chromium-containing wastes production. Recently, the manufacture and use of chromium(III) free tanning agents compounds have been studied intensively. Aluminum, zirconium and titanium compounds has been found to be an effective alternative to chromium salts. In particular, titanium is abundant in nature, easily obtainable and non-toxic. So, titanium tanning is one of the most promising replacements for chromium tanning in today’s leather industry. In this study we investigated the use of titanium salts as tanning agent for the production of high quality bovine upper leather. The technical feasibility of the innovative titanium tannage process was experimentally explored. Several experimental activities have been performed, carrying out tests of chrome and titanium tanning on two different types of skins to assess the quality of the finished leathers obtained by new titanium tannage compared to the leathers obtained by traditional chrome tannage. The results have shown that the finished leathers are appropriate for different final uses and are comparable to the ones obtained by the conventional chromium process in terms of physical-mechanical properties.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
