Characteristic Analysis of Sisal Fabric and Cow Nubuck Leather for Developing Leather Lifestyle Accessories

ABSTRACT

With increased awareness of the environmental issues associated with synthetic polymers, eco-friendly biodegradable materials are in high demand. This study assesses sisal fabrics’ physical, structural and thermal properties and a blend of sisal and cotton fabrics for their suitability for use with cow nubuck leather in leather product applications. All the chosen sisal fabrics were found to have mechanical properties comparable to or even better than cow nubuck leather. The tensile strength of sisal fabric is far greater than cow nubuck leather. The strength of sisal fibers ranges from 400 to 700 Mpa, whereas cow nubuck leather ranges from 10 to 40 Mpa. On the other hand, cow nubuck leather outperforms all other fabrics in terms of elongation percentage. Scanning electron microscopic analysis provided convincing evidence for characteristic fiber patterns in the individual fiber bundles (yarn) and their blend fiber composition of sisal fabrics. Sisal fabrics have a higher thermal stability than cow nubuck leather, with a degradation temperature of 230°C. According to the findings of this study, we can say that the selected sisal fabrics can be used to make leather lifestyle products.

摘要

随着人们越来越意识到与合成聚合物相关的环境问题，对生态友好的可生物降解材料的需求量很大. 本研究评估了剑麻织物的物理、结构和热性能，以及剑麻和棉织物的混合物在皮革产品应用中与牛巴革的适用性. 所有选定的剑麻织物都被发现具有与牛巴革相当甚至更好的机械性能. 剑麻织物的抗拉强度远大于正绒面革. 剑麻纤维的强度范围为 400 至 700 Mpa，而正绒面革的强度范围为 10 至 40 Mpa. 另一方面，牛巴革在伸长率方面优于所有其他织物. 扫描电子显微镜分析为单根纤维束（纱线）中的特征纤维图案及其剑麻织物的混纺纤维成分提供了令人信服的证据. 剑麻面料的热稳定性高于正绒面革，降解温度为 230°C. 根据这项研究的结果，我们可以说，选定的剑麻面料可用于制作皮革生活用品.

KEYWORDS:

• Sisal fibers
• scanning electron microscopy
• strength
• thermogravimetric analysis for sisal
• sisal woven fabrics
• cow leather
• nubuck leather
• leather accessories

关键词:

• 剑麻纤维
• 扫描电子显微镜
• 力量
• 剑麻的热重分析
• 剑麻机织物
• 牛皮
• 牛巴革
• 皮革配饰

Highlights

• The lack of supply and the high cost of genuine leather and consumers becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues, there is an urgent need for environmentally friendly biodegradable materials.

• Previously we have done compatibility studies on pineapple leaf, banana, silk fabrics to find its suitability to combine it with leather for lifestyle accessories development. Now we are focussing on other natural fibers like Sisal, Kenaf, Hemp, Flaux, etc.,

• It was discovered Sisal fabrics have mechanical properties that are comparable or even better than that of cow nubuck leather and the strength of sisal fibers ranges from 400 to 700 MPa.

• The sisal fabrics taken up for this study show that they have greater thermal stability than cow nubuck leather.

• Load bearing test shows that handle strength of combination product is comparable with that of leather bags (control).

• Combination products corrosion and slide fasteners test results are slightly better than the Leather bags (control).

• According to the findings of this study, the selected sisal fabrics can be used to make leather lifestyle accessories.

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank Dr P. Thanikaivelan, Chief Scientist, Advanced Material Laboratory, CSIR – CLRI for providing valuable inputs. Also Authors wish to thank Centre for Analysis, Testing, Evaluation and Reporting Services (CATERS), CSIR CLRI for carrying out the physical testing tests. Also Authors wish to thank Mr Thanigaivel V, CATERS, CSIR – CLRI for carrying out SEM Analysis. Also Authors wish to thank Ms Vimudha M, Department of Leather Technology, CSIR CLRI for carrying out FT-IR Analysis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the CSIR – CLRI [MLP-15].