Why are more and more people purchasing artificial leather?

Let artificial leather instead of animal fur decorate your life!

Q1: What’s synthetic leather？

A: Synthetic leather is made of different formulas of PVC, PU and other foams or coatings on a textile or non-woven fabric base. It can be processed according to different requirements,such as color, texture, backing fabric, thickness, logo, physical property. It has the characteristics of wide variety of designs and colors, good waterproof performance, neat edges, high utilization rate and cheaper price than genuine leather. In its longitudinal section, you can see tiny air bubbles, cloth base or surface film, and dry artificial fibers.

Q2: How synthetic leather is made？

A: The basic steps are: Stretching → Calendering → Foaming →Texture processing→Surface treatment（→Toning）→In rolls.

The specific process is: Pull the rolled base fabric from the reel, pass through the coating tank, apply the mixed slurry on the base fabric, thin the coating through the squeeze roller and allow the coating to solidify evenly on the base fabric. According to the color of the synthetic leather, mix the toner into a liquid in proportion and apply it again on the base fabric through a roller. The synthetic leather is pulled through a patterned roller with texture. Under the rolling of the patterned roller, the synthetic leather will form a texture on the surface. The coated base fabric is washed with water, allowing the paint to be replaced by water. The polyurethane resin will slowly solidify, forming a porous film on the surface. After drying at 120 degrees Celsius, the synthetic leather can be collected on the reel.

Q3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Leather?

A: Advantages: ①High plasticity; ②Similar texture to leather;③Durable. The service life is 10-12 years. If you pay attention to cleaning, its service life can be extended; ④The performance of artificial leather mainly depends on the characteristics of plastic. It has excellent properties such as low relative density, large mechanical strength, acid resistance, alkali resistance, oil resistance, folding resistance, and water impermeability; ⑤In appearance, artificial leather has bright colors, diverse patterns, and is extremely beautiful.Disadvantages: Poor air permeability and hygroscopicity.

 

Q4: How to tell synthetic leather from real?

	Synthetic Leather	Genuine Leather
Appearance identification method	The shape is irregular, the thickness is uneven, there are some natural defects on the surface, the surface is smooth and fine, there are obvious pores and patterns, and there are usually piles in the leather.	The thickness is uniform, the surface is smooth, there are no natural defects, the pores and patterns are also very uniform, and there is generally no pile in the leather.
Differences in finished products	There are differences in texture; the pores are shallow and vertical; the fiber layers are basically uniform, and the surface layer is like a plastic film.	The texture is uniform, no damage, no rough lines, and no defects; the pores are many and deep, slightly tilted; the cross-section fiber thickness Change.
Drip test	Water absorption is weak and not obvious.	Strong and obvious water absorption.
Tensile and elasticity testing	Relatively average.	Very good elasticity and tension.
Air blow test	No leakage when blown.	Blow on the reverse side of the leather with saliva and there will be leakage on the front side.
Visual identification method	The fabric can be seen on the reverse side, and there are no animal fibers on the side. Generally, the surface has no pores, and the patterns and pores are relatively regular.	The pattern and pores are unevenly distributed, and there are animal fibers on the reverse side. In the side section, the layers are clearly identifiable. There are animal fibers in the lower layer. If you scratch it with your fingernails, the leather fibers will stand up and have a fluffy feeling. A small amount of fibers may also fall off.
Hand feeling identification method	It feels like plastic, has poor recovery properties, and has similar crease thickness after bending.	It feels elastic to the touch. When the front side of the leather is bent down about 90 degrees, natural wrinkles will appear. If you bend different parts of the leather, the thickness and number of the wrinkles will be obviously uneven.
Odor identification method	Plastic smell, no fur smell.	Very strong smell of fur, even after treatment, the smell is still obvious.
Combustion identification method	After burning, the flame is also strong, shrinks quickly, and has an unpleasant plastic smell. It becomes sticky after burning and hardens into lumps after cooling.	When burned, it will emit a smell of burning hair, and the burned ashes are generally brittle into powder.

 

Q5: How to clean synthetic leather?

A: (1) It can only be washed by hand, not soaked in hot water, and the water temperature cannot exceed 40 degrees, because hot water will damage the fiber structure of the base fabric.

(2) Pay attention to the choice of cleaning agent. It is best not to wash directly with water. Go to the market to buy a detergent specifically designed to clean artificial leather clothes, or you can use a soft cloth dipped in soapy water to wipe it, and then wash it with warm water. Remember not to use gasoline for washing.

(3) After washing, hang it in a shaded and ventilated place to dry. Do not expose it to the sun. After drying, it should be placed in a dry and cool place. Do not fold, place heavy objects on it, or come into contact with some organic solvents.

(4) If the artificial leather is stained with oil stains, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and transparent soap.

(5) Regarding the maintenance of artificial leather. Do not rub or collide artificial leather clothing or bags with hard and rough objects to avoid damaging the surface coating. The coating film of synthetic leather is thin, so it should not be baked near a stove or heater to prevent the leather surface from being burned, and it should not be contaminated with corrosive chemicals such as acids and alkalis.