Effect of various tanning processes on characteristics of lining leathers

Wear comfort, fit, and durability and more significantly linings are the main factors that affect the quality of shoe upper leathers. Lining leathers are generally produced from goat skins, cowhides as well as sheepskins mostly depending on the customer demands. Over the last few decades, soft, breathable and comfortable linings that provide a healthy environment for the feet skin have gained importance. As it is well known that tanning procedure has a direct influence on the above mentioned properties of the manufactured lining goods, this study aimed to determine the effect of different tanning processes on the wear comfort and lining characteristics of leathers for the foot health and wear comfort. For this purpose, the effect of four different tanning techniques was investigated on properties of lining leathers produced from goat skins in terms of dynamic and static water absorption, color fastness to perspiration, to and fro and crockmeter rubbing fastness tests. The tanning process of pickled goat skins was differentiated by applying wet-white, vegetable, mineral, and semi tanning procedures. Post tanning processes were carried out in accordance with the same conventional formulation throughout the production of the lining leathers. The findings reveal that different tanning techniques had a significant impact on the lining characteristics and the tanning method could be selected according to the use of the linings in variable shoe types and the customer demands.