Whitepaper Light fastness & Heat resistance

The causes and the ways to minimize the risks

In this whitepaper Royal Smit & Zoon is sharing a synopsis on the topic ‘Light fastness & Heat resistance’. Learn about the yellowing of leather by the influence of warmth and/or light and time. How do you minimize the risk and how are the assessments done.

Leather contains a large variety of chemical compounds, added depending on the end users requirements for the leather. The source of these chemicals can be phenolic or nitrogen-based products, or synthetic and natural oils, amongst others. Because of the chemical composition of these products many of them are subject to yellowing due to exposure to heat, light or long time storage. Depending on the end users requirements specific products are to be chosen in order to meet their demands.

Learn more on this topic and download the whitepaper.

Download the whitepaper ‘Light & Heat’

What turns leathers yellow?

Yellowing is caused by auto-oxidation of unsaturated compounds in the presence of atmospheric oxygen under the influence of warmth and/or light and time. Also atmospheric pollutants and contaminants from both natural and industrial sources can lead to yellowing. The specific pollutants include oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and ozone.

Other contaminants can be part of materials in contact with the leather, e.g. cardboard boxes or dividers, plastic sheets, or bags. Most yellowing, however, can be traced back to the leather’s constituents, chemical additives or auxiliaries used during its production.

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