The Structural and Chemical Properties of the Nile Perch Fish Leather

Abstract

The conversion of skin to leather involves structural, chemical and physical changes to the material. The changes to the material is often after every subsequent process that the skin goes through before getting to the final leather. The leather processing involves three sub stages; pretanning, tanning and post tanning. The aim of the study was to determine the structural and chemical properties of chrome tanned Nile perch fish leather. The structural properties were determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The materials were analyzed for both the surface and cross section. The structural properties were carried out on the raw material then the material was subjected to tanning and there after the structural properties were determined in order to note the change that the tanning has on the structural properties of this particular material. Chrome content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and amount was reported in percentage content. The moisture content was quantified and reported in percentage value. From the structural analysis it was noted that the raw material is less compacted as compared to the chrome tanned leather. The fibers of the materials runs in one direction. The speed of the drum needs to be regulated to reduce the destruction of the collagen fibers which largely affects the physical properties of the leather. The average values of chemical properties were reported as follows: Chrome content of 2.45 % and Moisture content of 13.33 ± 1.88 % .The chrome content that was offered in the leather was satisfactory to give it a good hydrothermal stability.