Main Article Content
Abstract
Leather shaving waste (LSW) generated from the tannery industry contains chromium-stabilized collagen fibers that are environmentally persistent and difficult to manage. This study investigates the valorization of LSW into leather board for shoe insole applications through binder system engineering. LSW was neutralized using alkaline treatment and compounded with polyester resin and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), followed by press molding. Mechanical properties and water absorption were evaluated according to SNI 1294-2009 standards. The results show that binder composition significantly influences interfacial adhesion, mechanical strength, and moisture sensitivity. Formulation F3 exhibited superior tensile and tear strength due to enhanced fiber–matrix bonding, while formulation F4 demonstrated improved water resistance. An Engineering Performance Index (EPI) was introduced to integrate mechanical strength and moisture stability, revealing a clear trade-off between maximum mechanical performance and durability against water absorption. Formulation F6 presented a more balanced mechanical–moisture profile suitable for practical insole applications.
These findings confirm that binder engineering governs the structure–property relationship of collagen-based composites and provides a sustainable pathway for circular utilization of tannery solid waste.
Article Details
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).