Comparative Assessment of Thickness and Apparent Density in Electron-Beam-Irradiated Tanned Leather From Cow, Goat and Sheep Hides And Skins

Abstract

Thickness and apparent density are important physical characteristics of leather because they influence material handling, flexibility, weight, compactness and suitability for different leather products. This study comparatively evaluated the thickness and apparent density of tanned leather produced from cow, goat and sheep hides and skins following exposure to selected electron-beam irradiation doses. The irradiation doses were 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 Gy. Thickness was measured in millimetres, while apparent density was expressed in g/cm³. Three readings were obtained from the same leather piece at each treatment level and were therefore treated as technical replicate measurements. Cow leather had mean thickness values ranging from 1.450 to 2.190 mm and apparent-density values from 0.444 to 0.623 g/cm³. Goat leather recorded thickness values from 1.833 to 2.433 mm and apparent-density values from 0.379 to 0.503 g/cm³. Sheep leather had thickness values from 1.073 to 1.410 mm and apparent-density values from 0.605 to 0.837 g/cm³. Goat leather was generally the thickest, whereas sheep leather was generally the densest. The relationship between thickness and apparent density was not uniform across the animal types, indicating that thickness alone did not determine the mass-to-volume relationship of the leather. The results showed non-linear dose responses and possible differences in fibre packing, porosity, moisture retention and processing behaviour.