PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON LEATHERS TANNED USING HIGH EXHAUST BASIC CHROMIUM SULFATE SALT

One of the approaches towards minimizing the chrome pollution is to in crease the uptake of chromium during tanning through the application o f high exhaust basic chromium sulphate salts. A high exhaust chrome ta nning salt exhibiting chrome uptake levels of above 82% during tanning has been prepared in our laboratory. The present investigation deals with the influence of high exhaust chrome tanning salt on the physical , chemical and structural properties of the final leather The study sh ows that there is an increased fixation of chromium to the collagen ma trix which in turn influences the uptake of retanning agents, dyes and fatliquors during post tanning operation. This investigation also ind icates a realistic saving of 20-25% in post tanning chemicals when the leathers are tanned with high exhaust BCS salt.