Freeze-Dry Preparation for Rapid Leather Tannage

摘要

Results are presented of research undertaken to determine the feasibility of freeze-drying prepared rawhide as a step in the rapid-tan process for leather manufacture. The freeze-drying process eliminates 4 to 6 weeks from tanning time, eliminates the cost of materials inventoried in process, and provides for the more efficient use of space. Additionally, the freeze-drying should eliminate several steps in the conventional leather process and so should result in fewer handlings of the leather.