The Influence of Microwave Non-thermal Effect on Leather Properties in Drying

Abstract

In order to study the influence of microwave, especially nonthermaleffect, on leather properties, the microwave was used todry leather together with the oven dried leather as a control. Theback, butt and belly of dried leathers were tested for mechanicalproperties, softness, shrinkage temperature, chrome and fatmigration, microstructure and dielectric constant. The resultsshowed that microwave could improve the mechanicalproperties, softness and shrinkage temperature as a visible nonthermaleffect. The non-thermal effect could also promoteuniformity of chrome tanning agent and fatliquoring agent inleather and strengthen combination of these materials withcollagen. In addition, the fiber weaving of microwave driedleather was more orderly and porous proved by SEM and XRD.Furthermore, the dielectric constant of microwave dried leatherwas higher than control, showing a direct proof of non-thermaleffect for microwave. To sum up, Microwave in leather dryinghas not only thermal effect but also non-thermal effect onimproving leather overall performance.