BLEACHING

What is Bleaching?
To reduce the darkness of the vegetable
tanned leathers
Darkness in leather is usually due to loose
and oxidized tannins and other insoluble
matters on the outer surface
Practice of
Bleaching

Chemicals/Syntans Bleaching Extracts

 Bleaching Mechanisms
Cationic Radical Anionic

Acidic Acidic or Basic Basic

+.
Cl , O3, OH+ . . . - -
ClO2 , O2 , Cl , ClO2 , HO2
.
HO , HO2.
Electrophiles (Accepts Nucleophiles
electrons) (donates
electrons)
Aromatic and Olefinic Carbonyl and
Conjugated
Carbonyl
 Chemical/Syntan Bleaching
Chemicals used
Water (52-37C)
Sodium carbonate-1%
Sulphuric acid 1%
Sodium carbonate loosens the dark colored tan
on the surface of the leather
Acid (for bleaching) brighten the color and
removes the stain
There is a danger of some free acid remain in the
finished leather which leads to damage
 Acid
Oxalic acid bleaching is expensive
It is used to get good effect on the color of the
finished leather
Oxalic acid prevents iron stains
About 1-2 % of oxalic acid is used
 Syntan Bleaching
Bleaching syntans are used for bleaching sole
leathers
Possess Self tanning action which results in an
irreversible binding of syntan in contrast to
reversible binding of organic or inorganic acids
Bleaching can be carried out in drum or pit
 Drum Bleaching
Leathers are initially sammed and taken in
drums
1-3% Bleaching syntan is added without
dilution and run for 15-20 min
To ensure uniform distribution of the
bleaching material it is necessary to see that
the leather has the correct degree of moisture
 Pit Bleaching
This method is suitable for leathers which are
relatively darker than normal
The sammed leathers are dipped for about 5-7
min 35-40 Bkr solution of suitable bleaching
syntan
Subsequently, the leathers are lightly rinsed in
cold water
The bleaching liquor can be repeatedly used by
adding about half the quantity of syntan after
each pack has been treated
 Bleaching Extracts
Bleaching of sole leather can also be done
directly after drum tannage
The tanned leathers are suspended for 15-20
hrs in a heavily bisulphited liquor of higher
strength than the last drum tannage
The bleach liquor can be prepared with 2-3%
sodium bisulphite
 Photo bleaching
Optical brighteners, optical brightening agents
(OBAs), fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs) or fluorescent
whitening agents (FWAs) are chemical compounds that
absorb light in the ultraviolet and violet region (usually 340-
370 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum, and re-emit light in
the blue region (typically 420-470 nm).
Fluorescent activity is a short term or rapid emission
response, unlike phosphorescence, which is a delayed
emission.
These additives are often used to enhance the appearance of
color of fabric and paper, causing a "whitening" effect, making
materials look less yellow by increasing the overall amount of
blue light reflected