Articles - Leather Technology Magazine Nš76
A new antisoiling technology based on a
novel polymer system
By Dietrich Tegtmeyer *, Juergen Reiners, Tillmann Hassel, Michael Franken, Stefan Wildbrett,
LANXESS Deutschland GmbH, Business Unit Leather,
D-51369 Leverkusen, Germany
*) author to whom correspondence should be addressed;
e-mail: dietrich.tegtmeyer@lanxess.com
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A new antisoiling technology based on a
novel polymer system
Work presented at the XVII Latin American Congress, Rio,
Brasil, 2008
ABSTRACT
Anti-soiling finishing is currently one of the most
challenging topics in leather technology.
Light-coloured leather articles are en vogue for high-end
applications like automotive and furniture upholstery.
The leather surface should resist any type of dirt while
maintaining all physical and aesthetical properties.
Lots of studies of different types of soilings have shown
that this topic seems to be more complex than originally
anticipated and a general solution to solve all issues
with one formulation is not yet available. We need to
differentiate between soiling and cleanability in order to
optimize certain performances.
Based on tetrafluoroethene (TFE)-copolymers a new
aqueous polymer technology has been developed. Together
with properly selected additives it is activated by a
polyisocyanate and then applied to the leather surface by
using conventional spraying technology.
On curing a fluorinated polyurethane network is generated
on the leather surface providing a permanently fixed
protective coat. This completely new approach provides
a superior, longlasting anti-soiling effect on leather.
Compared to conventional systems the cleanability is
improved remarkably, yet all physical properties e.g. Taber
resistance, Bally flexes and antisqueak remain unaffected. |
