Fraunhofer-Institut für Silicatforschung ISCLeather is produced by tanning animal skins. Besides its attractive outer appearance leather distinguishes itself by numerous valuable properties: a high water vapor permeability and good haptic properties which make it comfortable to wear. Therefore, leather products like clothes, bags or furniture are highly appreciated.
The demands towards its functional properties like scratch resistance and light fastness, hydrophobic and dirt repellent characteristics are, however, steadily increasing. In spite of this, the natural character of leather has to be preserved. But even high quality leather does not meet these requirements in all respects.
Properties
ORMOCER®s are inorganic-organic hybrid polymers synthesized by sol-gel processing. By finishing leather with relatively thin ORMOCER® coating systems (<4 µm), excellent functional properties (Table) are achieved, as for instance:
- preservation of the natural optical and haptic properties
- pronounced hydrophobicity combined with high water vapor permeability and water vapor absorption
- low emissions
- excellent scratch resistance, fastness to rubbing and improved abrasion resistance
- sufficient heat resistance and light fastness
Moreover, ORMOCER® finishings show an extraordinarily good and durable adhesion to leather.