Preparation and Characterization of Polyamide-Leather Wastes Polymer Composites

Chrome tanning of leather improves its appearance, but at the same time, it emits both solid and liquid wastes. These solid wastes mainly after shaving process present in large amount causing hazard to the environment. Leather wastes were disintegrated to prepare hide powder and mixed with polyamide (nylon 6) in different ratios. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of different composites were investigated, which showed enhancement in physical characters but decreasing in mechanical properties. The charred residue increases by increasing the presence of leather waste filler. Morphological studies were performed on the fractured surface of composites showed uniform and fine particles dispersion. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 446-451, 2010