Abstract:

The fundamental physical, mechanical and chemical properties given in the PN-EN 13336:2013 standard (“Leathers – Upholstery leather characteristics – Guide for selection of leather for furniture”) were examined for 27 selected upholstery leathers with a pigment finishing. Colour resistance to rubbing with dry, wet felt, and felt socked with artificial perspiration solution, adhesion of the finish, flex resistance, tear strength, colour fastness to a water spot, and the pH of water extracts were determined. Moreover, some features of these upholstery leathers which are not listed in the standard were also tested, namely the tensile strength, maximal elongation, distension and strength at a crack of the grain or finish and at the bursting of the full thickness of the leather tested as well as the content of chromium(VI). It was found that the majority of the leathers tested fulfilled the recommended values of characteristics given in the PN-EN 13336:2013 standard. Some deviations from these values were random and did not depend on the colour of the finish. Leathers with a two-colour covering (so-called “antique” finish) did not show worse properties than those with a one-colour finish. On the basis of the results obtained, a wider range of the fundamental tests and other values of parameters generally higher than those recommended in the standard are proposed for the quality assessment of upholstery leathers with a pigment finish.