Air Permeability Test Quantifying Leather Breathability

Leather is widely used in clothing, footwear, foot pads, seat pads, sofas, and other products. Its permeability significantly affects the comfort of these products, especially those in direct contact with the human body, such as leather clothing and footwear. If leather has poor permeability, it cannot effectively dissipate the sweat and heat generated by the human body, leading to a damp and hot feeling during wear, resulting in a negative wearing experience for consumers.

The collagen fiber gaps in leather serve as channels for gas and energy exchange between the inside and outside of the leather. Processes such as acid-base treatment, softening, texturing, greasing, tanning, and finishing during leather production can affect the uniformity, size, and quantity of these collagen fiber gaps. Therefore, testing permeability can provide data for adjusting and improving leather production processes, ultimately enhancing the quality of leather products.

The standard test method for measuring the air permeability of leather is ASTM D737. This test measures the rate at which air flows through a material under a specific pressure differential. Labthink TQD-G1A Air Permeability Tester is applicable to this test.

This equipment can test the permeability of materials using two different principles: the "constant pressure difference measurement flow rate method" and the "constant flow rate measurement pressure difference method." The former adjusts the pressure to create a constant pressure difference between the two sides of the sample, then measures the airflow volume passing through the sample in a given time, and calculates the permeability of the sample. The latter adjusts the airflow to maintain a constant flow rate through the sample, then measures the pressure difference between the two sides of the sample under this condition, and calculates the air flow resistance.

Beside the air permeability of leather, Labthink TQD-G1A Air Permeability Tester is also applicable to testing of air permeability and air resistance of automotive interior decoration materials, such as polyurethane foam, PVC, textiles, nonwovens. In addition, it can also be used to test the permeability of separation membrane, sponge, carpet, non-woven fabric, paper and leather. The instrument conforms to ISO 9237, ISO 4638, ISO 5636, GB/T 10655, GB/T 5453, GB/T 4689.22, GB/T 13764, ASTM D737, TAPPI T460, JIS P8117.

Permeability is a crucial factor influencing the performance of leather applications. It is typically measured using the pressure difference method. Labthink TQD-G1A Air Permeability Tester can be used to test the permeability of leather. The testing process is simple, takes a short time, has high efficiency, and the equipment is easy to operate. The test process involves less interference from human factors on the test results, the test results are more accurate and reliable.