Further Investigation Of Application Of Power Ultrasound In Leather Processing

The applications of ultrasound in leather chemistry were reviewed in this manuscript. The ultrasound is helpful to remove soluble protein of pelt without damage of collagen fibers. Meanwhile, the break of fat cellular wall was observed under ultrasound, which accelerated the degreasing process. The effect of ultrasound was also carried out in tanning process, such as chrome tanning, titanium tanning and vegetable tanning. The results showed that the ultrasound could improve the penetration of chemicals into leather, while the molecular structure of tanning agents had not been changed under ultrasound and therefore, their combination modes with collagen were not altered. The effect of ultrasound at different frequencies on leather dyeing showed that power ultrasound can considerably increase dyeing rate and the adsorption rate of dyestuff. The same results were obtained in fatliquoring process. The ultrasound was applied in the oxidation dechroming of leather shavings, the results implied that the chrome removal rate of the shavings was influenced by reaction time, temperature, medium and intensity of ultrasound.