Application of microemulsion copolymer solutions of styrene and n-butyl methacrylate in retanning chrome tanned leathers

The microemulsion (M.E.) copolymerizations of styrene (STY) and n-butyl met hacrylate (BMA) were carried out at 70 degreesC with two different composit ions of the comonomers (50:50 and 35:65,wt/wt) in the initial reaction mixt ures and by employing sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as surfactant and potass ium persulphate (KPS) as initiator. n-Hexanol was employed as cosurfactant along with SLS in the M.E. copolymerization experiment containing 50:50 (wt /wt) of STY/BMA in the reaction mixture and n-heptanol was employed as cosu rfactant along with SLS in the M.E. copolymerization experiment containing 35:65 (wt/wt) of STY/BMA in the reaction mixture, respectively. The convent ional emulsion (C.E.) copolymerizations of STY/BMA comonomers with 50:50 an d 35:65 (wt/wt) ratios in the reaction media were also carried out by emplo ying excess quantities of these monomers mixtures in the reaction media com pared to M.E. copolymerization reactions; The M.E. and C.E. copolymer solut ions were employed along with the commercial samples Vernaminol Liquor ASN and Lipoderm Liquor SAF in retanning chrome tanned leathers such as goat an d sheep skins, and cow hides. The retanned leather test samples were studie d by visual assessment and physical testing, and the results were compared with those of control samples.