Novel Beeswax-neat’s-foot oil formulation and its impact on leather finishing.

AbstractLeather finishing provides an esthetic look to the leather. Oil in combination with wax emulsion in the form of oleogel when applied to leather finishing produces a special class of leather known as crunch leather. Using an optimized ratio of Beeswax emulsion blended with Neat’s-foot oil in the form of oleogel for the making of crunch leather was investigated in this study. The chemical characterizations such as FTIR, dynamic light scattering, and particle size analysis, of the experimental emulsion were carried out. The experimental leathers undergo various tests such as contact angle measurements, optical microscopy imaging, color measurement, light fastness, fastness to dry and wet rub, tensile, tear strength, and elongation at break. The experimental leathers were showing better results than the control leathers. The present work focuses on the finishing of leather, and the interaction of oil and wax oleogel with leather which approaches a sustainable and eco-friendly process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]