EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS ON SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LEATHER

In this study, the effect of conditioning under standard and tropical atmospheric conditions on physical properties of leather was investigated. For this purpose, garment sheep leathers were conditioned under standard atmospheric conditions of 23 °C ± 2 °C temperature and % 50 ± relative humidity suggested in TS EN ISO 2419, and under tropical atmospheric conditions of 27 °C ± 2 °C temperature and % 65 ± 5 relative humidity suggested in ISO/DIS 2419. Then, changes in leather physical properties were investigated statistically. According to results, for sheep leather conditioned under standard atmospheric conditions, percentage extension was 53.47 ± 4.10, Young’s modulus was 77.32 ± 23.34 N/mm, double edge tear load was 38.03 ± 8.47 N, water vapour permeability was 6.18 ± 0.55 mg/cm2.h, while under tropical atmospheric conditions, percentage extension was 57.67 ± 5.36, Young’s modulus was 69.42 ± 13.87 N/mm, double edge tear load was 43.06 ± 10.50 N, water vapour permeability was 6.61 ± 0.47 mg/cm2.h. The difference between these physical properties was determined to be statistically significant. Changes in tensile strength and single edge tear load were not significant.