Production

Leather can be made from the hide of almost any animal such as cows, pigs, sheep, or even crocodiles. To be more sustainable cow is the most common animal used for leather due to it commonly being killed for meat. This way the animal is not being wasted.

The first step in preparing leather is to remove the skin off the animal. Then the flesh is removed either using a fleshing machine or by hand. This is done as fast as possible so that the skin does not dry out.

The hide is then placed in a salt brine in order to stop the hide drying out and decomposing. A chemical called calcium oxide is used to soak the hide in order to remove any hair. After soaking, the hide will have swollen so it is possible to cut it in half. The two layers of leather can be used for different products.

The next stage is called tanning. This process is done in order to preserve the hide and stop it from decomposing. The hide is placed into a tanning drum along with a solution. What this solution consists on depends on what type of leather is being made. After being left in the tanning drum the hides are put through a roller which applies high pressure to the hide and removes any extra moisture in the hide. The hide is then shaved so the hide all measures the same length in width. The leather scraps can be used in making belts and other accessories. The leather is sometimes tanned a second time.

The final step is to dry the hide. The hides are most often vacuum dried. This dries the hide extremely quickly but can sometimes cause the leather shrink slightly but will leave the leather smooth.

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Physical Properties

Leather is an extremely strong and resilient fabric. It resists warping from being stretched. Leather is also a good insulator of heat. it is a hydrophobic fabric and does not absorb water.

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Atheistic properties

Leather is a very soft and smooth fabric with a high lustre. It is also an extremely safe fabric as it is non  flammable and resists mildew.

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Uses

Leather is a very common fabric used in the fashion industry. One of the most well known uses of leather in fashion are for leather jackets. This is due to it being a good insulator as well as it being soft, smooth and having a high lustre. This makes it a very attractive looking material to use for jackets.

Another use of leather is in shoes. This is due to the high lustre making it very attractive looking. It is also strong and and resilient which is essential in footwear in order to protect the feel.

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References

Mahi Leather. (2018). How is leather made?. Available: https://mahileather.com/blogs/news/how-is-leather-made. Last accessed 27/11/18.

Stephan Meyer. (2015). Where does leather come from?. Available: https://makersrow.com/blog/2015/03/where-does-leather-come-from-leather-manufacturers-tell-the-history-of-leather/. Last accessed 27/11/18

Muirhead . (2018). Leather properties. Available: http://www.muirhead.co.uk/OurLeather/Leather-Properties.aspx. Last accessed 27/11/18.