Leather Finishing Materials

Prepared by
Abu Jor
Assistant Professor, LE, KUET, Khulna-9203
Types of leather finishing materials
1. Colorants 6. Feel modifiers

2. Binders 7. Plasticizer’s

3. Penetrators 8. Auxiliaries

4. Fillers 9. X linkers

5. Lacquers
 1. Colorants
Pigments, &
Dyestuffs
 Pigments:
Pigments are generally colored, organic or inorganic solid
powder, and usually insoluble.

Pigments can give a full range of colors.

They are not affected physically or chemically in the substrate

in which they are incorporated.

widely used in coating industries as well as in ink, leather,

plastic, rubber, ceramic and paper industries whose main
function is to impart color of desired tint and shade.
 Pigments
Role of pigments:
Impart specific colour
Level and equalize the shade
Provide cover and minimize defects
Produce specific fashion effects
 Pigments-characteristics
Coating power:
This is the ability of a pigment to give its color to the application supports. This
ability depends on the
➢ Absorption capacity of pigments
➢ Scattering of light
‒ Pigments refraction index,
‒ the index of refraction of the binder that incorporates the pigment.
➢ the shapes and size of its particles,
➢ its concentration and
The greater the difference between the index of refraction of the pigment and the
binder, the better the pigment’s coating.
The smaller the pigment particles, the more the pigment tends to lose its refraction
characteristics and, at limit condition, becomes transparent.
 Pigments-characteristics
Dispersibility:
Dispersibility, generally defined as a uniform distribution in
solution, not to be confused with solubility.
This is the ease with which a pigment disperses in a bonding
material.
Regular, uniform pigment particle favors’ dispersibility, which
can be improved by adding small amounts of auxiliaries.
 Pigments-characteristics
Color yield:
This is the ability of a pigment to dye a white substance.
This characteristic is influenced by the pigment particle size.

Brightness:
This depends on the chemical nature of the pigment, the size of
its particles and their dispersion.
 Pigments-characteristics
Light-fastness:
This represents the tendency for the color tonality to vary when
➢ exposed to light, and
➢ influenced by the chemical construction and concentration of
the pigment.

Heat resistance:
This represents the tendency to vary in color tone when exposed
to higher temperatures.
Good pigments withstand temperature as high as 180 ˚C.
 Pigments-characteristics
Solvent solidity:
This is the characteristic of not being soluble, which avoids
bleeding, the migrating of a pigment from one layer to another
under the action of a solvent.
The degree to which a pigment can be dissolved depends on its
chemical nature and degree of dispersion.
Solidity to chemical agents:
Pigments have to be especially resistant to the alkaline substances
present in some of the binders, such as casein and albumin, as
well as to the aldehydes present in certain fixatives.
 Pigments-Classification
Inorganic pigments:
▪ Inorganic pigments are mainly used in the first finishing coats
where good covering is essential.
Advantages
▪ High index of refraction and, therefore, high coating ability
▪ Good light fastness
▪ Good solidity to solvents and chemical agents
▪ Low tendency to bleed
 Pigments-Classification
Inorganic pigments:
Disadvantages
▪ Low brightness
▪ Low color yield
 Pigments-Classification
Organic pigments:
▪ Organic pigments are based on carbon chains and carbon
rings.
▪ However, they can also contain metallic (inorganic) elements
that help stabilize the properties of the organic component.
 Pigments
Organic pigments:
Advantages
▪ Good color yield (2.5 times greater than inorganic pigments)
▪ Greater color brightness and tone purity
Disadvantages
▪ Weak coating ability
▪ Less solidity to light and heat
▪ Less solidity to solvents and chemical agents
▪ Greater tendency to bleed
Preparation of Inorganic Pigment
Barium White:
saturated sodium sulfate saturated barium chloride (BaCl2)
(Na2SO4) solution solution

Mix well

Separation white pigment barium sulfate

(BaSO4) using centrifugation

Divide your white suspension evenly into two

small tubes and centrifuge for 3-5 minutes

Decant the clear liquid

Recover the white precipitate from the test tube

Put it and dry onto a small square of filter paper

 Preparation of Inorganic Pigment
Chrome Yellow:
Sodium (Na2CrO4) or potassium zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) or zinc chloride
(K2CrO4) chromate solution (ZnCl₂) solution

stir the two solutions together

Add NaOH drop wise to make the solution basic

and mix well

The color will change from yellow-orange to

bright yellow

Gravity filter the precipitate of zinc chromate

(ZnCrO4)

Allow the pigment to dry uncovered on the filter

paper until next week
 Preparation of Inorganic Pigment
Synthetic Malachite (Basic Copper Carbonate):

copper sulfate (CuSO4⋅5 H2O) solid sodium bicarbonate

solution (NaHCO3)

Stir, until
the reaction is complete

Filter the precipitate of basic copper carbonate

—CuCO3⋅Cu(OH)2

Allow the pigment to dry uncovered on the filter

paper until next week
Preparation of Inorganic Pigment
Manganese violet:
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Purple pigments
▪ Aluminum Pigments: Ultramarine violet: Silicate of sodium and
aluminum containing sulfur.
▪ Copper pigments: Han Purple: BaCuSi2O6.
▪ Cobalt pigments: Cobalt Violet: cobaltous orthophosphate.
▪ Manganese pigments: Manganese violet: NH4MnP2O7
Manganic ammonium pyrophosphate
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Purple pigments.

Ultramarine violet

Cobalt Violet Manganese violet

 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Blue pigments
▪ Aluminum pigments: Ultramarine (PB29): a complex naturally occurring
pigment of sulfur-containing sodio-silicate (Na8-10Al6Si6O24S2-4)

▪ Cobalt pigments: Cobalt Blue (PB28) and Cerulean Blue (PB35):

cobalt(II) stannate

▪ Copper pigments: Egyptian Blue: a synthetic pigment of calcium copper

silicate (CaCuSi4O10). Thought to be the first synthetically produced pigment.
Han Blue: BaCuSi4O10

▪ Iron pigments: Prussian Blue (PB27): a synthetic pigment of ferric

hexacyanoferrate (Fe7(CN)18). The dye Marking blue is made by mixing
Prussian Blue and alcohol.
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Blue pigments

Ultramarine PB29
Cobalt Blue (PB28)

Egyptian Blue Prussian Blue (PB27)

 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Green pigments
▪ Cadmium pigments: Cadmium Green: a light green pigment consisting of
a mixture of Cadmium Yellow (CdS) and Viridian (Cr2O3)

▪ Chromium pigments: Chrome green (PG17): chromic oxide (Cr2O3)

▪ Cobalt pigments: Cobalt green: also known as Rinman's green or Zinc
green (CoZnO2)

▪ Copper pigments: Malachite: cupric carbonate hydroxide (Cu2CO3(OH)2)

 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Yellow pigments
▪ Arsenic pigments: Orpiment: natural monoclinic arsenic sulfide (As2S3),
▪ Cadmium pigments: Cadmium Yellow (PY37): cadmium sulfide (CdS),
which also occurs as the mineral greenockite.
▪ Chromium pigments: Chrome Yellow (PY34): lead chromate (PbCrO4),
which also occurs as the mineral crocoite.
▪ Cobalt pigments: Aureolin (also called Cobalt Yellow) (PY40): Potassium
cobaltinitrite (K3Co(NO2)6).
▪ Iron Pigments: Yellow Ochre (PY43): a naturally occurring clay of
monohydrated ferric oxide (Fe2O3.H2O)
▪ Lead pigments: Lead-tin-yellow: PbSnO4 or Pb(Sn,Si)O3
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Orange pigments
▪ Cadmium pigments: Cadmium Orange (PO20): an intermediate between
cadmium red and cadmium yellow: cadmium sulfoselenide.

▪ Chromium pigments: Chrome Orange: a now obscure pigment composed

of a mixture of lead chromate and lead(II) oxide. (PbCrO4 + PbO)
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Red pigments
▪ Arsenic pigments: Realgar: an arsenic sulfide mineral (As4S4)
▪ Cadmium pigments: Cadmium Red (PR108): cadmium selenide
(CdSe)

▪ Iron oxide pigments: Red Ochre (PR102): anhydrous Fe2O3

▪ Lead pigments: Minium (pigment): also known as red lead, lead
tetroxide, Pb3O4

▪ Mercury pigments: Vermilion (PR106): Synthetic and natural

pigment: Occurs naturally in mineral cinnabar. Mercuric sulfide (HgS)
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Brown pigments
▪ Clay earth pigments (naturally formed iron oxides):
➢ Raw Umber (PBr7): a natural clay pigment consisting of iron oxide, manganese
oxide and aluminum oxide: Fe2O3 + MnO2 + nH2O + Si + AlO3. When
calcined (heated) it is referred to as Burnt Umber and has more intense colors.

➢ Raw Sienna (PBr7): a naturally occurring yellow-brown pigment from limonite

clay. Used in art since prehistoric times.
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Black pigments
▪ Carbon pigments:
➢ Carbon Black (PBk7)

➢ Ivory Black (PBk9)

➢ Vine Black (PBk8)

➢ Lamp Black (PBk6)

▪ Iron Pigments
➢ Mars Black (Iron black) (PBk11) (C.I. No.77499) : Fe3O4
 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: Black pigments
▪ Manganese pigments: Manganese dioxide: blackish or brown in color,
used since prehistoric times (MnO2)

▪ Titanium pigments: Titanium Black () : Titanium(III) oxide (Ti2O3)

 Pigments
Inorganic pigments: White pigments
▪ Antimony pigments: Antimony White: Stibous Oxide (Sb2O3)
▪ Barium pigments: Barium sulfate (PW5) : (BaSO4)
▪ Lead pigments: Cremnitz White (PW1): basic Plumbous Carbonate
((PbCO3)2·Pb(OH)2)

▪ Titanium pigments: Titanium White (PW6): Titanic Dioxide (TiO2)Zinc

White (PW4):

▪ Zinc pigments: Zinc Oxide (ZnO)

 Pigments
Organic pigments: Organic Pigments are classifying into following:
▪ Azo pigments
▪ Polycyclic pigments
▪ Anthraquinone pigments
▪ Dioxazine pigments
▪ Triayl carbonium pigments
▪ Quinophthalone pigments
 Commercial Pigments
Lepton® Pigments
➢ Pigment with high coverage, high wet rub-fastness and very high light-fastness and
resistance to migration.
➢ Recommended for use on all types of leather, in aqueous finishes for aniline leather
as well as in highly pigmented finishes
Name of Pigments Color
Lepton® Black N Neutral black
Deep Black BN Dark, neutral black
Orange ER Liquid Full color range
Black FB-1 Neutral black for black finishes
Deep Black FB-1 Deep Black for aniline finishes
White FB-1 Neutral pure white
White FF-CN Pure white with high covering properties
 Dyestuffs
A dye or dyestuff is usually a colored or fluorescent organic
compounds or mixture that may be used for imparting color to a
substrate by selective absorption of light such as leather, textile,
paper, and plastic in reasonable permanent fashion and usually
are soluble.
 Dyestuffs
Characteristics of Dyestuffs:
❖ Excellent fix-ability

❖ Brightness

❖ High light fastness

❖ Can be used with water or solvent as the vehicle

❖ Anionic

❖ Cationic (Basic)
 Dyestuffs
Natural Sources –
❖ Insects
❖ Plants

Synthetic Sources –
❖ Anionic – metal complexes
❖ Cationic
❖ Solvent dyes
 Dyestuffs
Dyes which are classified based on chemical composition are –
❖ Acridine dyes ❖ Safranin dyes
❖ Anthraquinone dyes ❖ Xanthene dyes
❖ Arylmethane dyes ❖ Indophenol dyes
❖ Azo dyes ❖ Oxazin dyes
❖ Cyanine dyes ❖ Oxazone dyes
❖ Diazonium dyes ❖ Thiazin dyes
❖ Nitro dyes ❖ Thiazole dyes
❖ Nitroso dyes ❖ Fluorene dyes
❖ Phthalocyanine dyes ❖ Rhodamine dyes
❖ Azin dyes ❖ Pyronin dyes
❖ Eurhodin dyes
 Commercial Dyes
Eukesolar® E liquid dyes
➢ Dyes of this type are distinguished by their brilliance, their high lightfastness and
their resistance to spotting by water droplets.
➢ Mainly applied by spraying, roll coating and printing.
Name of Dyes Color
Yellow EG Liquid Greenish yellow
Yellow ER Liquid Reddish yellow
Orange ER Liquid Neutral, intense shade of orange
Cherry Red EG Liquid Neutral red
Red EB Liquid Bluish red
Brown EG Liquid Yellowish brown
Brown ER Liquid Deep reddish brown
 Differentiate between Dyes and Pigments
DYES
1. Water solubility is 70%
2. Dyes have direct affinity to
material
3. Auxochrome groups are present
4. Most of the dyes are organic
5. Costly
6. No binding agent is required
7. Dye diffusions in the fabric
PIGMENTS
1. 100% water insoluble
2. They have no direct affinity to
materials
3. Auxochrome groups are absent
4. Most of pigments are inorganic
5. Cheap
6. Binding agent is required
7. Pigment diffusions on the fabric
 Binders
Binders are those substances that are dispersed or dissolved in
water or organic solvents that form films on leather when the
vehicle evaporates and permits the forming of bridges between
the dye and substratum.

Binder also called the glue that holds the paint together once it
has dried.
 Binders
Protein Binders:–

i) Natural – a) Casein, and b) Albumens, and

ii) Synthetic – a) Polyamides

Resin Binders:–

i) Natural – a) Shellac

ii) Synthetic – a) Acrylics/Vinyl’s b) Butadienes c) Polyurethane d)

Hybrids e) Epoxy
 Binders
Role of protein binder:

❖ Adhesion properties
❖ Improve plate release, stacking and dry rub properties in
base coats
❖ Complete glazed finishes
 Binders: Protein Binders
Casein binder: Properties
▪ Casein is the predominant phospho-protein made from milk,
when dried it is sold as a white powder.
▪ Casein is not coagulated by heat, precipitated by acids and by
rennet, an enzyme typically obtained from calves’ stomachs.
▪ The isoelectric point of casein is 4.6.
▪ The purified protein is water insoluble.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Strength of casein binder:
– Good Plating / printing properties (non-sticking).
– Not thermoplastic and it is ideal for glazing
– It gives very good dry rub characteristics.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Weakness of casein binder:
– It has poor water fastness
– Give relatively inflexible, discontinuous films
– Adhesion of casein films on leather can be considerably less
than 2 N/mm
 Binders: Protein Binders
Preparation of casein binder
Whole Milk
Separation Cream

Skim Milk

Pasteurization

Calf Rennet Inoculation

Incubation
Clotting
HCl/H2SO4
Precipitation

Cooking

Casein Curd + Whey

pH-4.6
 Binders: Protein Binders
Preparation of casein binder
Casein Curd + Whey
pH-4.6

Whey Separation

Casein Curd

Washing Water

Dewatered Casein
Curd

Cool air + moisture Drying Hot air

Casein
Binders: Protein Binders
Preparation of casein binder
Casein

Tempering Cool air

Milling

Sieving

Blending

Bagging

Storage
 Binders: Protein Binders
Applications/Uses of casein binder

– The usual natural protein in finishing binders and often used

as the main protein for glazing finishes.
– Casein may be used on its own – tendency to be hard and
give relatively inflexible, discontinuous films.
– Or can blend with waxes, oils and plasticizer’s to modify
softness and flexibility / surface characteristics.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Albumen binder: Properties
▪ Egg: Obtained by drying out egg white (83 % water) to give
yellow transparent flakes or powders.
▪ Harder than casein binder and coagulated with heat (protein
denaturation)
▪ At temperatures greater than 60ºC, albumen becomes
insoluble–therefore heating in finishing driers creates a
slightly water resistant film.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Albumen binder: Properties
▪ Albumen refers generally to any protein with water
solubility, moderately soluble in salt solutions.
▪ Blood: Albumin is negatively charged and its function is to
help regulate blood pressure.
▪ Historically obtained directly from abattoirs.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Applications/Uses of albumen binder:

– Non thermoplastic and Ideal for glazing

– Albumin from blood used in finishing seasons to intensify

black colours.

– In traditional glazing finishes often “plasticized” by caseins

to give some flexibility.

– Not commonly used in modern resin based finishes, tends to

give brittleness or “eggshell” characteristics to finish.
 Binders: Protein Binders
Polyamides binder: Properties
▪ These linear polymers derive from amino acidic products by
the condensation of the di-amines with bi-carboxylic acids.
Strength of polyamide binder:
– Have greater flexibility and fastness properties
– Form transparent, shiny, elastic films
– Excellent heat and abrasion resistance
 Binders: Protein Binders
Weakness of polyamide binder:

– Higher cost

Applications of polyamide binder:

– Used mainly on top coat/lacquers/glazed coat

– Replacements for casein based binders with similar
properties.
 Binders: Resin binder
▪ In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a "solid
or highly viscous substance," which is typically convertible
into polymers.
▪ Such viscous substances can be plant-derived or synthetic in
origin. They are often mixtures of organic compounds.
 Binders
Role of resin binder:
❖ Continuous Film formation
❖ Adhesion to leather
❖ Inter-coat Adhesion
❖ Binding capacity – pigments, auxiliaries etc.
❖ Flexibility over desirable temperature range
❖ Physical properties – resistance to abrasion and rubbing etc.
❖ Filling of grain surface
❖ Plating/embossing properties
❖ Compatibility with other finishing chemicals
 Resin binder
Shellac: Properties
▪ The secretion of the female Lac insect (Coccus Lacca) found
in the forests of Assam and Thailand and harvested from the
bark of trees, where it is deposited to provide her with a
sticky hold of the tree trunk.
▪ On purification Shellac takes the form of yellow / brown
pellets – it is a natural polymer and is chemically similar to
modern synthetic polymers.
 Resin binder
Shellac: Properties
▪ It can be considered to be a natural plastic – it can be
moulded by heat and pressure – so it is classified as
thermoplastic.
▪ Soluble in Alkaline solutions and various organic solvents
▪ When dissolved in Alcohol Shellac gives a hard durable
coating
▪ Can be refined to retain its natural wax content
 Resin binder
Strength of shellac:
Can be moulded by heat and pressure –so thermoplastic
Can be bleached with sodium hypochlorite to form white
Shellac

Weakness of shellac:
Poor rub fastness
Poor scuff resistance
 Resin binder
Applications/Uses of Shellac
When dissolved in Alcohol Shellac gives a hard durable
coating used in the traditional “French Polish” method of
finishing wood furniture
 Resin binder
Vinyl Resin Binder: Properties
These derive from vinyl monomers and have excellent
covering power but poor adhesion.
As clear Poly Vinyl chloride, top coat for some Upholstery
leathers.
Pigmented and highly polymerized, for high covering bottom
coats.
May yellow with exposure to light
 Resin binder
Acrylic Resin Binder: Properties
An Acrylic resin is a thermoplastic substance derived from acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid or other related compounds. One example is
polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, which makes a crosslinked polymer when treated
with polyisocyanates.
R-OH
Esterification + H2O
methacrylic acid
polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate
Acrylic acid is an organic compound with the formula CH2=CHCOOH. It is the
simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, consisting of a vinyl group connected
directly to a carboxylic acid terminus.
Esterification of acrylic acid with various alcohol constituents gives a large range
of acrylic esters with wide ranges of properties.
They generate elastic films that are thin, transparent and light-fast.
It does not yellow when exposed to sunlight, even after many years.
 Resin binder
butadiene
Butadiene resins: Properties
Copolymers of butadiene (C4H6) and acrylonitrile (CH2=CHCN)
and butadiene with styrene (C6H5CH=CH2) finishes
These substances are generally used together with other
resins because of their low binding power.
Leathers feel rubber like
Butadiene / Acrylate mixes give soft, flexible films, but not
very abrasion resistant and a tendency to yellow
 Resin binder
Polyurethanes Resin Binder: Properties
These polymers are formed by the poly-addition of poly-isocyanate
and polyole and contain the urethane group.
The simplest form of Polyurethane is the linear one

Polyurethanes range in properties from soft to rigid thermosetting

characteristics.
Small particle size, soft, used for impregnations, tightening of grain
and / or adhesion of finish to leather surface
Larger particle sizes, hard, used in top coats (water based or solvent),
scuff resistant and brightness – even up to Patent type gloss
 Resin binder
Hybrid Resin Binder: Properties
The Acrylic phase is dispersed within the PU particles
Physical properties are determined by the continuous
Polyurethane phase
Harder internal Acrylic phases have little effect on film
formation
VOC is reduced to almost zero
Dry film behaves like a polyurethane
 Resin Binders
Table 1. Comparison of Strength and Weakness of Finishing Binder
Characterization Acrylic Resin Butadiene Resin Polyurethane Hybrid Resin
Parameters Resin
Aesthetics and feel Good Low

Surface handle Low Low

Adhesion Good Low Good

Flexibility Good Moderate to good Good Good

Abrasion resistance Low Low Good

Cold resistance Poor Good Good Good

Solvent resistance Good Good

UV resistance Good Low Good

Wet fastness Low Low Low

Cont…
 Resin Binders
Table 1. Comparison of Strength and Weakness of Finishing Binder
Characterization Acrylic Resin Butadiene Polyurethane Hybrid Resin
Parameters Resin Resin
Filling properties Low Good Good Good

Coverage of defects Poor Good Good Good

Pigment binding Good Low Good Good

capacity
Plating and Poor Low Good
embossing properties
Thermal properties Thermoplastic Thermosetting

Price Low High Cost effective

VOC No VOC content

not yellow when Elastic film High grain High grain loading
exposed to tendency to loading Harsh grain break
sunlight yellow Poor recoat ability
Limited application possibilities
 Resin binder
Strength of Acrylic Resin Binder:
Good Natural appearance and feel
Good adhesion
Good flexibility
Good Solvent resistant (selected products)
Good UV resistance
Good pigment binding properties
Low price
 Resin binder
Weakness of Acrylic Resin Binder:
Poor cold resistance
Low wet fastness
Low Abrasion resistance
Low filling properties
Low coverage of defects
Low plating and embossing properties
Thermoplastic
 Resin binder
Strength of Butadiene Resins:
Moderate - good flexibility
Good cold resistance
Good solvent resistance
Good filling properties
Good coverage of defects
Elastic film
 Resin binder
Weakness of Butadiene Resins:
Low Surface handle
Low adhesion
Moderate - good flexibility
Low wet resistance
Low UV resistance
Low Abrasion resistance
Low pigment binding capacity
 Resin binder
Strengths of Polyurethane Resins:
Good adhesion
High flexing properties
High cold resistance
Good UV resistance (Aliphatic)
Good abrasion resistance
Good filling properties
Good coverage of defects and uniformity
 Resin binder
Weakness of Polyurethane Resins :
Low Aesthetics and feel
High grain loading
Low wet resistance
Low plating and embossing properties
Thermosetting
High price
 Resin binder
Strengths of Hybrid Resin:
Good cold resistance
Good flexing properties
Good filling properties
Good coverage of defects
Good plating - embossing properties
No VOC content
COST EFFECTIVE/PERFORMANCE
 Resin binder
Weakness of Hybrid Resin:
Low Surface handle
High grain loading
Harsh grain break
Limited application possibilities
Poor recoat ability
 Commercial Binders:
Acrylic binders
Name of Dyes Features
Corial® Binder BAN Forms a tough, elastic film with low tack
Corial® Binder CW Soft binder with excellent cold flex properties
Corial® Binder DN pronounced filling and an excellent sealing
effect of the surface
Corial® Binder EL Has a pronounced filling action and excellent
sealing of the surface
Corial® Binder FB- Very soft film;
OHN
Corial® Binder FB-UB Soft binder that forms a transparent film with
brilliant look and good gloss
Corial® Binder FF-OK soft and very elastic films
 Commercial Binders:
Polyurethane binders
Name of Dyes Features
Astacin®Finish PE
Astacin®Finish PR
Astacin®Finish PS
Astacin®Finish PT
Astacin®Finish PTM
Astacin®Finish PUD
Astacin®Finish PUM
 Commercial Binders:
Protein binders
Name of Dyes Features
Eukesol®Binder FB-U
Eukesol®Ground FB-PC
Luron® Binder FB-ST
Luron® Binder U
Luron® Ground EI
Luron® Lustre E
Luron® Lustre TE
 Fillers
Properties and uses of Fillers:
Colloidal, Oil, Wax, China clays, chalks and other inert
materials used to help cover surface defects.
Used in bottom and middle coats
Mainly employed for splits and buffed grain leathers
Reduces the need for some pigment
Giving less plastic looking films.
Improved flow out, plating and stacking properties.
 Fillers
Role of Fillers:
Improved coverage and upgrading
Improved uniformity and filling
Improved plating, and stacking properties
Improves the response of the leather to embossing.
Gloss and Feel adjustment
Oil and Wax pull-up effects
 Fillers
Disadvantages of Fillers:
A side effect is to reduce coating stickiness
 Waxes and Oils
Properties of Wax:
Plastic at normal ambient temperatures
Melting point above 45ºC (unlike fats or oils)
A relatively low viscosity when melted
Water insolubility
Hydrophobic
 Waxes and Oils
Properties of Oils:
Liquid at normal ambient temperatures.
Oils are not miscible with water
hydrophobic or lipophilic
 Waxes and Oils
Role of Waxes and Oils:
Lubrication (improving flexibility) of finishes
Softening
Pull up effects
Improve Glazing characteristics
Plate release
 Lacquers
Properties of Nitrocellulose lacquers:
Give a very hard yet flexible durable finish that can
polished to a high gloss.
However all will give problems on ageing leading to visible
cracking of films – modified polyurethanes with NC
lacquers can give better long term flexibility.
Camphor having a plasticizing effect, it improves the
glazing properties of nitrocellulose lacquers.
 Lacquers
Disadvantages of Nitrocellulose lacquers:
It is an explosive when more highly nitrated, and needs
plasticizing to prevent this.
These lacquers are associated with hazardous nature of
solvent (flammability, toxicity and volatility)
May yellow when exposure to light and heat.
 Lacquers
Properties of Polyurethanes Lacquers:
Unlike the lacquer finish, polyurethane does not penetrate
the substrate. It only gives a surface coat that is durable.
Superior ageing characteristics,
Extensibility and flexibility, particularly when cross
linked.
Give brush off effects
Give the antique effects.
Water based very high gloss.
 Lacquers
Properties of Butyrate (CAB) Lacquers:
Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) is a thermoplastic
cellulose ester with 30 to 55 wt% butyryl content.
It is the most commercially important mixed cellulose
ester and has many attractive properties such as low
viscosity, high transparency and surface gloss, improved
resistance to moisture and ultraviolet light (UV), and good
inter-coat adhesion.
It is of advantages that they are absolutely stable to light
and heat.
 Plasticizers
Properties of plasticizers:
Excessive crosslinks to space polymer and high value of
intermolecular forces of attraction in linear and branched
polymer impart rigidity and produce cracky film.
The plasticizers substantially reduce the brittleness of many
amorphous polymers because its addition even in small
quantities markedly reduces the Tg of the polymer.
For extra flexibility small additions may be needed
Used as wetting agents
Included in resin emulsions to improve flexibility.
 Plasticizers
Disadvantages of plasticizers:
Affect adhesion, wet / dry rub resistance.
No fixing and migration on ageing
Some are hygroscopic and in excess will reduce film water
resistance.
Films’ stretch and extensibility are not improved by
plasticisers
Film strength may even be weakened.
 Plasticizers
Some plasticizers (example):
Sulphated oils
Turkey Red oil
Glycol ethers–esters
Raw Castor oil
Linseed oil
Rapeseed oil
Soybean oil
Cottonseed oil
 Handle Modifiers
Properties of Handle Modifiers:
A variety of finishes can be achieved such as –Smooth–
Blunt–Slippery–Supple–Waxy, greasy, or fatty

Role of Handle Modifiers:

Improved surface handle/touch/feel.
Give special tactile fashion effect
Improved physical performance
 Handle Modifiers
Disadvantages of Handle Modifiers:
Their chemical nature are not film forming so are
likely to reduce adhesion between films and must
not be used in high concentrations in mixes.
 Penetrators
Properties of penetrators:
Primarily used for grain impregnations
Bottom coatings to achieve deeper penetration of the
finishing agents below the grain layer
Also used in middle and top coats to wet surfaces of lower
finish coats and promote adhesion between coats.
They frequently improve film flow characteristics.
 Penetrators
Role of penetrators:
Finish penetration
Adhesion
Impregnation
Improve film flow characteristics
 Penetrators
Limitations of penetrators:
They may cause undesired swelling of the fibres
Excessive sensitivity to moisture because of their extreme
wetting effect
 Cross Linkers
Properties of Cross Linkers:
In chemistry and biology a cross-link is a bond that links
one polymer chain to another.
The term curing refers to the crosslinking of
thermosetting resins, such as unsaturated polyester and
epoxy resin, and the term vulcanization is used for
rubbers
Example: polyaziridine, Isocyanates, polycarbodiimide,
imidoester , N-Hydroxysuccinimide-ester and formaldehyde
 Cross Linkers
Role of Cross Linkers:
Reduce extensibility of polymer material
Improved physical properties
Improved adhesion
Improved Waterproofing
 Cross Linkers
Limitations of Cross Linkers:
Must be used with great care.
Aziridines based on 1 amine group and 2 methylene
groups- definite carcinogen
Carbodiimide based on N=C=N functional group and
activate carboxylic acids towards amide or ester
formation, slower to develop full crosslink ability and
Isocyanates, weaker in cross linking ability, but thought
safer and recoat-able
 Miscellaneous Auxiliaries
Role of Auxiliaries:
Thinners –Solvent dilutable finishes - Ensures
– Optimum finish performance
– Flow out
– Intercoat adhesion
– Appearance
– Physical properties
Foaming agents
– Improved foaming for foam finishes
 Auxiliaries
Role of Auxiliaries:
De-foamers
– Reduced foaming –in curtain coaters
Levelling / flow agents
– Improved levelling and flow out
Rheology Modifiers (thickeners)
– Control flow and viscosity
 Auxiliaries
Some example
Antifoams (insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other
silicones, certain alcohols, stearates and glycols.)
Bactericides (i.e., hypochlorites, chloramines,
dichloroisocyanurate, chlorine dioxide, concentrated
alcohols, phenolic substances etc.)
Water resistant chemicals ( fluorocarbons )
Fire resistant chemicals (fluoropolymers)