The dynamics of leather combustion (part 2)

摘要

To produce a leather that will pass the fumes test it is possible to use the other parameters listed below, seeking the right compromise between the leather's resistance and its reaction to fire. Leather mass The greater the amount of material to burn, the greater the potential of smoke. The unevenness of the leather's surface should be taken into account (open areas vs closed areas requiring different products in order to render the organoleptic characteristics more uniform), as well as its cross-section (compared to thicker leather, thinner leather has a proportionally thicker papillary layer than its reticular layer). The deposit of retanning products in these two cases is somewhat different. From a practical point of view, it is useful to know that although thin leather burns faster and may favour the formation of low-density fumes, on the other hand it could generate too much heat or even destruction. The advantage in terms of fumes should be managed by selecting the most suitable fire retardant, which must offer strong resistance. In this context, it is recommended to use a product that adheres, in order to achieve more constant results. This is because thin leather does not retain the same proportion of fire retardant if this does not adhere completely. It is important to be aware that the finish will always make a positive contribution to combustion, but never a negative one. The dynamics ultimately depend on the density and the thermal properties of the leather, obtained through tanning, retanning and mechanical operations.