Abstract
Various photo-curable formulations were developed to improve the crust leather surfaces. Aromatic urethane diacrylate oligomer, four diacrylate monomers such as tripropylene glycoldiacrylate, 1,4 butanedioldiacrylate, 1,6 hexanedioldiacrylate, and ethyleneglycoldimethylacrylate (EGDMA) and three types of co-monomers like 2-ethylhexylacrylate (EHA), ethylacrylate, and methyl acrylate (MA) and photoinitiator Irgcure-369 were used to prepare different polymer formulations. The composition of the formulations are oligomer:monomer:co-monomer:photoinitiator=50:24:24:2. Thin polymer films were prepared using these prepared formulations under different radiation intensities. Among all the formulations containing formulations showed better properties. Leather surface was cured with these formulations and the cured surfaces were characterized. Improved tensile strength (58%) and elongation at break (35%) of the cured leather were observed with containing formulations. Water uptake, gloss both 60 and 20°, abrasion resistance, and adhesion of the cured leather were studied. Simulating weathering effect on gloss of the leather was also performed.