The skin

Leather is a natural, breathable and flexible product, and is characterized by its durability, dexterity and thermal resistance.

It comes in two forms: grain and suede.

Flower

It is the best part of the skin (external part of the dermis). It provides touch, flexibility and great resistance.

Suede

The inner part of the leather, considered a by-product of it. It is generally harder and heavier than the full grain leather.

In suede we can distinguish between:

• Intermediate split leather
• Suede leather

GUYS

Depending on the animal of origin, the following typology can be established:

• Goat: Its limited thickness means that the exclusive use of the grain variety is required, which provides the best mechanical performance as the fibres are not cut. It is a flexible and very resistant leather with an excellent feel.
• Lamb: Similar in characteristics to goatskin, it is less resistant to abrasion. Very soft to the touch, this type of leather provides the best thickness-dexterity ratio.
• Bovine: It offers excellent mechanical properties and is highly resistant to puncture. Breathable and comfortable, it is characterized by its durability and excellent abrasion resistance.
• Buffalo: Its properties are similar to those of cowhide, with the disadvantage that it hardens over time and loses flexibility.
• Deer: With properties similar to those of cowhide, it is very flexible, soft and resistant to abrasion, cutting, tearing and puncturing.
• Pig: It allows for greater ventilation than other leathers, although its resistance to abrasion, cutting and tearing is more limited, and it offers less comfort, flexibility and dexterity.
• Synthetic leather: Technological developments have made it possible to obtain synthetic leather, which is an alternative to natural leather for the manufacture of gloves for protection against mechanical risks. It is a washable material with excellent abrasion resistance, uniform quality and comfort properties.

PARTS

Depending on the part of the animal, the skin can be classified as:

• Neck: It is the most economical part, providing long and thinner fibers than the skirt.
• Croupier: central part of the body, it is the most select area.
• Skirt: It is a less resistant part than the croup and its thicknesses are not very uniform.

SKIN TREATMENTS

To improve its characteristics and performance level, the leather can be subjected to various treatments, such as:

• Water repellent: Mineral oils, synthetic oils or resins increase the leather's resistance to water, as well as its mechanical characteristics of abrasion resistance, comfort, dexterity and durability.
• Oil-water repellent: It is a treatment using mineral or synthetic oils or fluorinated resins that improve the leather's resistance to water and oils. This treatment optimizes the leather's mechanical characteristics: abrasion resistance, increased comfort (flexibility), greater capacity for movement (touch) and durability.
• Antipyretic: Improves the skin's resistance to contact heat: flexibility is maintained and shrinkage is reduced.

Bodero, T. (SF). The skin. Retrieved from: https://tomasbodero.com/es/content/la-piel.html