Leather Durability
Durable and Water-Resistant?
GT Portugal’s Leather Productions
A natural fabric made from animal hides and skins, leather has been used for a variety of items for more than 7,000 years. This fabric is believed to be the first fabric crafted with human hands, and is still today one of the most desirable textile products in the fashion industry
Available in many different styles, grades, and colors, leather is one of the most diversified natural textiles. While cowhide is the most popular type of animal skin used for leather, comprising about 65 percent of all leather produced, almost any animal can be made into leather, from crocodiles to pigs to stingrays.
How Is It Made?
To make a durable and sustainable leather, this fabric needs to go through a treatment that involves tanning the raw animal hide. A standadrd leather-making process has 3 major stages:
1. Preparing
Initially, the piece of leather is prepared for the tanning process. The animal hide must be fleshed, stretched, and subjected to a dehydrating process involving air drying, salting, or pickling. This step is necessary since animal hides will begin to decompose rapidly after being removed from the animal.
2. Tanning
The leather is then tanned in a process that involves treating the hides with various tanning agents, whether chrome salts or vegetable oils to create a supple piece of leather.
3. Crusting
Finally, the leather goes through a crusting process, which softens and dries the leather piece and gets it ready for its final use, whether it’s going to be dyed or sanded. Leather manufacturers usually apply oils or greases to the surface of the hides to make the resulting leather softer and more water-resistant.
Types of Leather
- Genuine Leather
- Imitation Leather
- Top-Grain Leather
- Full-Grain Leather
- Corrected Grain Leather
- Nubuck Leather
- Split Leather
- Patent or Bicast Leather
- Suede
- Bonded/Recycled Leather
How is it Used?
The durability and insulative properties of leather make this material into one of the most versatile types of fabric. The many uses for leather goods and leather products include:
Apparel
While the particularities of fabric may cause some discomfort when worn directly against the skin, leather is often used to make outerwear clothing items like leather jackets, leather pants, leather dresses, and more. In some exceptional cases, textile manufacturers may also use leather to make shirts or lingerie.
Shoes
Leather is also a favorite when it comes to boots and shoes. Since leather is a durable and glamorous fabric, leather shoes are a very popular item. Additionally, leather is also used to make a variety of footwear, such as boots, loafers, or high heels.
Accessories
Leather is one of the most prominent materials used to manufacture purses and handbags. Suitcases and other forms of luggage also frequently feature leather, as this material is regularly used to make briefcases. Genuine leather belts and wallets are a must-have in all our closets.
Homeware
Along with cotton, polyester, and other conventional upholstery materials, leather is one of the most prevalent substances used to upholster couches, chairs, and even car seats as this fabric is often standard in luxury vehicles. While a rarer practice in contemporary times, bookbinders may also bind hardcover books using leather.
