Leather
A durable material made from tanned animal hides.
Leather is a strong, flexible, and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, ostriches, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators. Leather can be used to make a variety of items, including clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools and sports equipment, and lasts for decades.
- material
- Leather
- origin
- Animal hides and skins
- leading_producers
- China and India
- common_uses
- Clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools, sports equipment
- primary_tanning_methods
- Vegetable, chrome, aldehyde, brain, alum
Lore & Background
The leather manufacturing process is divided into three fundamental subprocesses: preparatory stages, tanning, and crusting. A further subprocess, finishing, can be added but not all leathers receive finishing. Preparatory stages may include soaking, hair removal, liming, deliming, bating, bleaching, and pickling. Tanning stabilizes the proteins, particularly collagen, of the raw hide to increase thermal, chemical and microbiological stability. The principal difference between raw and tanned hides is that raw hides dry out to form a hard, inflexible material that, when rewetted, will putrefy, while tanned material dries to a flexible form that does not become putrid when rewetted.
Reader's Guide
Today, chrome tanning is the most common method in modern use, developed in the latter half of the 19th century to speed up the process and make leather more waterproof. However, there are environmental concerns with chrome tanning, as chromium is a heavy metal; while the trivalent chromium used for tanning is harmless, other byproducts can contain toxic variants. Critics of tanneries claim that they engage in unsustainable practices that pose health hazards to people and the environment near them. Leather grades range from full-grain leather, which contains the entire grain layer and is usually considered the highest quality, to bonded leather, which uses leather scraps shredded and bonded together. The term 'genuine leather' does not describe a specific grade and may indicate split leather that has been extensively processed. Leather's durability and versatility have made it a lasting material for countless applications.
Did You Know?
- Chrome-tanned leather is also known as 'wet blue' for its pale blue color.
- Boiled leather was historically used as armor after hardening.
- The color tan derives its name from the appearance of undyed vegetable-tanned leather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is leather?
Leather is a tough yet pliable material created by treating animal hides with chemicals or natural substances so they won't rot. It is prized for its strength, flexibility, and ability to last for decades with proper care.
What animals does leather come from?
The most common sources are cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and equine animals, though buffalo, ostriches, and aquatic creatures like seals and alligators are also used. The type of animal influences the texture, thickness, and overall feel of the finished product.
How is leather made?
The core step is tanning, a process that chemically or naturally stabilizes the hide so it resists decomposition. The primary tanning methods include vegetable, chrome, aldehyde, brain, and alum tanning, each yielding slightly different properties in the end result.
What is leather commonly used for?
It is a go-to material for clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools, and sports equipment. Because a well-made leather item can endure decades of use, it remains a preferred choice for products that need to withstand heavy wear.
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