A treatment to save historic leathers

摘要

Acid deterioration is a major problem in the conservation of historic leathers. Many different techniques have been used in the past to save these valuable items, and some products have merit in consolidating the structure and possibly improving the appearance. None of these approaches have offered the chance to reliably create an improvement in these articles in terms of leather related performance and the offer of improved longevity. However, following extensive investigations, a new technique has been developed that provides significant collagen stabilising for these deteriorated leathers and acid-buffering effects, measurable as an increase in shrinkage temperature and a reduction in acidity within these leathers.