Applications of Microwave in Leather Field: Further Research for Leather Chemists and Technologists

Abstract

Summarized in this article is the substantial research andtechnology on applications of microwave in leather industry foreffectively utilizing microwave in leather making. It includeseffluent disposal, pretreatment for analysis, chemicals synthesis,leather drying and wet end processing. Also, the future studiesbased on microwave-assisted leather manufacturing are putforward. Microwave could shorten sludge drying time,indicating the use of microwave in leather effluents disposalcould give a potential method for minimizing pollution. As anefficient pretreatment method, microwave assisting digestionand extraction could be used for the leather routine and hazardmaterials detection without any negative effect. In leatherchemicals synthesis, faster reaction rate with better productscould be obtained under microwave, suggesting it could be usedin the processes further. Leather drying with microwave hadadvantages of fast drying such as uniform water distribution andhigher area yield without hardening and shrinking. Furthermore,microwave in leather dyeing and tanning could improve thecolor fastness and hydrothermal stability of the leather. Thesestudies demonstrated microwave was not only an excellent heatresource but also has a special non-thermal effect in leathermaking, which had some positive influences on the processesand leather properties. It is necessary to study the function andmechanism of microwave in leather making and the influence ofmicrowave on leather properties and structure, especially nonthermaleffect in the processes. This will give a potential choicefor innovating leather technology, improving leatherperformance and promoting efficient. In summary, microwaveintroduced in leather industry will be an important furtherresearch field for leather chemists and technologists.