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There are
a number of processes whereby the skin of a dead animal can be formed
into a supple, strong material commonly called leather.
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Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannin (hence the name
"tanning") and other ingredients found in vegetable matter, tree
bark, and other such sources. It is supple and brown in color, with
the exact shade depending on the mix of chemicals and the color of
the flesh. Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water; it tends
to discolor, and if left to soak and then dry it will shrink and
become less supple and harder. In hot water, it will shrink
drastically and plasticize, becoming rigid and eventually brittle.
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Alum-tanned leather is tanned using aluminium salts mixed with a
variety of binders and protein sources, such as flour, egg yolk,
etc. Purists argue that alum-tanned leather is technically "tawed"
and not tanned, as the resulting material will rot in water. Very
light shades of leather are possible using this process, but the
resulting material is not as supple as vegetable-tanned leather.
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Rawhide is made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime,
and then stretching it while it dries. Like alum-tanning, rawhide is
not technically "leather", but is usually lumped in with the other
forms. Rawhide is stiffer and more brittle than other forms of
leather, and is primarily found in uses such as drum heads where it
does not need to flex significantly; it is also cut up into cords
for use in lacing or stitching, or for making dog toys.
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Boiled leather is a hide product (vegetable-tanned leather) that
has been hardened by being immersed in hot water, or in boiled wax
or similar substances. Historically, it was used as armour due to
its hardness and light weight, but it has also been used for book
binding.
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Chrome-tanned leather, invented in 1858, is tanned using
chromium sulfate and other salts of chromium. It is more supple and
pliable than vegetable-tanned leather, and does not discolor or lose
shape as drastically in water as vegetable-tanned. More esoteric
colors are possible using chrome tanning.
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Brain-tanned leathers are exceptionally absorbent of water. They
are made by a labor-intensive process which uses emulsified oils
(often those of animal brains) and which has not been industralized.
They are known for their exceptional softness and their ability to
be washed.
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Bicast leather is a man-made product that consists of a thick
layer of polyurethane applied to a substrate of low-grade or
reconstituted leather. Most of the strength of bicast leather comes
from the polyurethane coating, which allows this material to be used
where strength or durability are required.
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