Tests of leather performance

Naturally, leather absorbs some liquid water but mainly is water resistant. The leather industries do not claim that it is waterproof. So-called waterproof leathers are finished with water repellent agents such as organo-silicon, fluorocarbon and so on. Water absorption of leather can be tested by a static absorption method (ASTM D1815, 2000a). Cut the conditioned specimen with a circular cutter. Measure the diameter and thickness of the specimen. Calculate its volume in cubic centimetres. Weigh the specimen to the nearest 0.01 g. Immerse the specimen in distilled water at 23 1 °C in ahorizontal position with the grain side up. Leave the specimen immersed for a period of 30 min. At the end of immersion, take out the specimen and blot the surface of the specimen with filter paper to remove excess water. Weigh the specimen immediately to the nearest 0.01 g. Calculate the amount of water absorbed by the specimen  

Leather is often used as a material for protective clothing (as well as gloves and shoes) because of its properties. The protective suit must have good resistance to chemical penetration, to oil and to cutting. 

The main part of the apparatus is a cell, which can resist different chemicals, and is normally made of PTFE (poly tetrafluoroethylene). The cell is used to restrain the specimen during contact with the pressurized test liquid via a restraining ring. It consists of a chamber which can contain approximately 60 ml of the challenge liquid. The cell has an outer diameter of approximately 10 cm and an inner diameter of 6 cm. It has a viewing port which allows observation of the specimen during the test. 

AATCC grade number Test liquid Surface tension (dyn cm at 25 °C  

This test detects the leather s resistance to wetting by a selected series of liquid hydrocarbons with different surface tensions. The standard test liquids are listed in Table 3.4 (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, AATCC, 

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