MAPPING THE VARIATIONS OF TENSILE STRENGTH OVER THE AREA OF SHEEPSKIN LEATHER

Abstract

Leather is not a uniform material from a structural perspective. The physical properties of leather change depending on the animal type and the animal individually. Furthermore these properties vary depending on the position and direction of sampling over its area. The aim of this study was to measure some physical properties of garment sheepskin leathers over the whole areas and then draw strength maps to provide information for cutting of leathers for garment production. For this aim, surface area of 10 chromium tanned nappa sheep leathers have been sampled with standard press knife of tensile strength into 2147 samples. 5 leathers were sampled perpendicular and the other 5 leathers were sampled parallel to the line of back bone of sheep skins. Thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break values for each sample has been measured and recorded. Then strength maps were drawn by using MATLAB (Matrix LABoratory) software that allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data. The findings showed that the strength and stretch properties change directionally and locational over the area of the leather, the strength decreased gradually while moving away from the line of backbone to the edges and the areas around kidneys were weaker than the areas around neck.

Keywords

• leather
• sheepskin
• garment
• tensile strength