zirconium tanning
A method of producing leather utilizing salts of
zirconium, usually under very acid conditions. The
high acidity permits the zirconium salts to
precipitate basic salts at lower pH values (on the
order of 2.0) than either aluminum or chromium,
which are also used in the production of leather.
Zirconium salts tend to be very astringent, and
normally produce a tight, firm leather; they also
cause rapid tannage of the grain of a leather and
produce a fine, short nap on suede leathers. By
the use of masking salts, such as acetates, their
astringency can be reduced, resulting in a softer,
smooth-grained leather. Zirconium-tanned leather
is usually fuller and firmer than that produced by
chrome tanning and actually feels more like a
vegetable-tanned leather. The leather so produced
is of a pleasing white color, has good light
fastness, and is superior to alum-tawed skin in
that it does not wash out and has a higher
(90° C) shrinkage temperature. (248 , 306 , 363 )
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