What is Artificial Leather Coating?

Artificial leather coating application has many usage areas and advantages at the same rate as natural leather.

Its production includes cloth, non-wonen, coagulated etc. It is produced by coating polyurethane (PU), polyvinylchloride (PVC) on the floors.

PU (Polyurethane) Coated Artificial Leather
Artificial leather has recently become the most preferred type of coating due to its ease of use. Coatings produced from PU material in the manufacture of artificial leather are produced at a higher price compared to other PVC coatings. The reason why it is more expensive is that artificial leather has a breathable structure and leaves a soft feeling. In addition, it has very similar properties to the structure of real leather in terms of the technique and texture used on it. Although they are produced artificially, being healthy and ecological are just some of the advantages it brings.
Artificial leather products produced as PU coating are used in the production of clothing, coats and shoes, as well as in homes and offices, in the field of furniture, and upholstery applications.

PVC (Polyvinylchloride) Coating Artificial Leather
In the first applications of this sector, which has become widespread, PVC coating type was frequently used. Due to the fact that PU coating is less costly than artificial leather products, it is widely used.
The places that can be used show themselves in many different areas of use such as home and office upholstery, shoes, outerwear, bags and auto upholstery.
How to Care for Artificial Leather Coating?
Bleach or various chemical solvents (gas, gasoline, diesel, thinner, acetone) should never be used during artificial leather cleaning. Such substances damage the leather and shorten its life, causing discoloration or deterioration in its texture. Therefore, the use of chemicals should be avoided.
PVC coated artificial leather should never be dry cleaned.
PU coated artificial leathers are relatively more suitable for dry cleaning. It should be cleaned with water at a maximum temperature of 30 degrees and by hand washing method or by wiping with the help of a damp cloth.

Technical Information Required for Using Artificial Leather Coating
Application Tips
If there is any temperature element during the application of the product or in the environment where it is located, this temperature should not exceed 80-90oC. High temperatures may cause deformations such as loss of pattern, wrinkles and sagging in artificial leather. If there is an annealing process during production, this process should be done with pure water, not chemical materials.
Artificial Leather Adhesion Test
A piece of 150×30 millimeters is cut from the product.
The material to be used in the bonding process is applied to the cut sample and after 20 minutes of drying time, it is heated between 65-75oC and the piece is folded in half and the leather surface is adhered to each other. In order for the surfaces to be easily separated from each other, a margin of 25 millimeters is left at both ends. The pasted artificial leather is pressed. After it is left to cool for 30 minutes, the share is opened with the help of the left ends.
Deletion application according to the way of separation;
If the adhesive rises from one surface and passes to the other side during the separation of the surfaces; It is an indication that the artificial leather coating should be applied by wiping. Wiping with a cloth and correct wiping water is the best cleaning method.
If the artificial leather breaks apart or separates from the cloth during the separation of the surfaces; This product does not require cleaning. Dusting can only be done with the help of a dry cloth and soft movements.

Adhesive Usage
Excessive application of solvent-based adhesive may cause deterioration of the lamination between the artificial leather and the diaper. Adhesive should be used in maximum amount and in a ratio in accordance with the instructions for use given to you.

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Use of Artificial Leather
Be careful not to use it in dusty, humid and direct sunlight places.
Do not keep the coating product near or near any heat source.
Avoid contact with hot materials that may touch the product.
Keep the coating product away from cutting and piercing tools.
Do not apply artificial leather coating or use chemicals on artificial leather products in environments where chemicals are present.

History of Artificial Leather Coating Application

What is Artificial Leather Coating?
As a result of the opportunities provided in the raw material and production industry, instead of leather in the last 10 years; PU and PVC have started to be used in artificial leather manufacturing, which is mostly used.
Although PU products are more expensive than PVC products, they are preferred because they are more sanitary and ecological, and because they are very close to natural leather in terms of breathability, softness, technical values ​​and appearance. PU coating artificial leather products; It is preferred in home and office upholstery, coats, coats, trousers, shirts and many other clothing and footwear areas.

General Features About Artificial Leather Coating
Artificial leather first emerged in the 1400s when the Chinese made umbrellas from fabric dipped in wax. Later, it was named as “Direct Coating” and started to be applied.

This is how the idea of ​​providing a better function by covering/combining the fabric with a completely different material was born. The ancestor of the polymers we use today, such as PVC and PU, was produced by Goodyear in 1839, and Goodyear produced Libonite, a sulfur-vulcanized rubber. However, since the concept of polymer was not introduced in those years, tape measure was produced in Italy in the 1900s with the Direct Coating process. In the following years, during the First World War, the Germans produced the first U-Boat model, but the system produced is extremely vulnerable to external factors.

Between 1920 and 1930, German chemist H. Staudinger put forward the “Macromolecule” hypothesis and proved it experimentally. After this date, polymer chemistry has been a revolution in the world. In the 1960s, a structure that includes fabric and plastic properties at the same time began to be mentioned; While the surface gives a natural leather effect, the fabric provides its durability. In these years, “Transfer Coating” emerged and in addition, the transfer papers used in those years could withstand up to 100 ºC at most. With the development of technology and material knowledge, artificial leather applications have taken their present form.