CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLID TANNING SALTS MANUFACTURED FROM IRON (III) SULFATE AND POTASSIUM ACID TARTRATE

Preparation and the characterization of solid tanning salts from iron (III) sulphate and potassium acid tartrate (cream of tartar) were perf ormed. The iron (III) sulphate was obtained as a by-product of the pro cessing of titaniferous iron ores from the Province of Buenos Aires. T he manufacture started with physical upgrading of the ore and the conc entrate thus obtained was then digested with sulphuric acid. At the en d of the reaction iron (II) sulphate heptahydrate was separated, and t he separated iron (II) was oxidised and cream of tartar was added to s tabilize the iron (III). Solid tanning salts were obtained by spray dr ying. The storage and stability of the preparations were measured as a function of the principal physicochemical parameters. Finally, the su itability of the solid tanning salts for the tannage of goat skin was determined. The evaluation of the tanned leathers was performed by mea ns of physico-mechanical tests and chemical analyses.