Leather fabric is made through a process called tanning, which involves treating animal hides or skins to make them durable, pliable, and resistant to decay. The primary steps in leather fabrication are as follows:
1. Preparation of Hides:
Animal hides, usually from cattle, sheep, or goats, are first obtained. These hides undergo initial processing to remove flesh, hair, and any other impurities.
2. Curing:
The hides are then cured to prevent bacterial growth and decay. This can involve using salt or other chemicals to preserve the hides during transportation and storage.
3. Soaking:
Cured hides are soaked in water to rehydrate them, making them more receptive to subsequent processing.
4. Liming:
The hides are treated with lime to remove hair and other unwanted proteins. This process also helps to loosen the fibres in the hide.
5. Deliming and Bating:
After liming, the hides are treated to neutralize the lime and further remove non-collagen proteins. This step makes the hides more suitable for tanning.
6. Tanning:
Tanning is the crucial step where the hides are treated with tannins to stabilize and preserve them. Tannins can be derived from plant sources (vegetable tanning), animal sources (such as using hides or brains), or through chemical processes (chrome tanning). This process gives leather its unique properties.
7. Neutralization:
The tanned hides undergo neutralization to stop the tanning process and balance the pH.
8. Dyeing and Finishing:
- The leather can be dyed to achieve the desired colour. Additional treatments may include applying oils, waxes, or other finishes to enhance the leather's appearance, texture, and durability.
9. Drying:
The treated hides are dried to remove excess moisture.
10. Conditioning and Softening:
The dried leather may undergo conditioning and softening processes to achieve the desired feel and flexibility.
11. Cutting and Stitching:
Finally, the leather is cut into the desired shapes and stitched together to create various leather products, such as garments, accessories, or upholstery.
