Leather Tanning
Leather Tanning
During the traditional process of chrome tanning, it is necessary to add an alkali. Basifying agents (alkali) generates OH- ions in water, causing a rise in pH to result in ionizing the carboxyl group in hide collagen. The ionized collagen carboxyl groups are then available for linking to chromium and this leads to the stabilization of the protein and it's processing into tanned leather. Without the use of an alkali agent, the time required for completion of the tanning reaction would be high, making the process impractical.
Different types of products can be used as basifying agents, namely: soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, sodium formate, magnesium oxide. In the last 15-20 years magnesium oxide has acquired a prominent position as a basifying agent, being the most widely used for chrome tanned cattle hides today. Many reasons have led to this choice, including:
• Availability of MgO around the world
• Ease of pH control during basification
• Chemical compatibility with other products used in tanning
• Low risk to operators and the environment
From the standpoint of chrome tanning, the main type of MgO used is the low reactive version. IMC offers high quality magnesium oxide products with the suitable parameters for better pH control.
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