LEATHER BOARD PRODUCTION FROM LEATHER SHAVINGS

Abstract

Leather product industries produce a large amount of scraps and dumped to environments. Scrap leathers can be changed to value added product. Here, we report simple method of developing leather board from leather shaving. Initially the leather shaving was characterized for its Moisture content (56.34%), Crude fat content (4.12%), Crude fiber content (2.53%), Total nitrogen content (7.37%), Sulfide content (72.71 mg/kg), pH (3.34), Chromium content (4268.06 mg/kg) and Water-soluble matter (4.06 Brix). From the result, the leather shaving contained considerable amount of chromium which is known to cause various environmental and health effects. The effect of rubber latex concentration (250 ml, 300 ml, 350 ml, 400 ml and 450 ml) on the mechanical properties of the leather board is studied. 350 ml rubber latex concentration results in a better mechanical property of Tensile strength (1.8 N/mm2), Percentage elongation (6.8%), Tear strength (13.35 N/mm) and Water absorption (46.9%). All the measurements revealed that developed leather board could find a potential application in the manufacture of leather goods and footwear.