| 摘要 |
Hide/leather/polymer composite materials are provided by the impregnation of polymer systems into interstitial voids spaces in the collagen fiber network of the hide/leather precursors, providing materials possessing a wide variety of bulk mechanical properties. Preferably, the polymer systems employed in the composites are bismaleimides, when high modulus, strength and flexural modulus are desired, and siloxane-based polymers, when elastomeric bulk properties are desired. Also provided are methods for the formation of hide/leather/polymer composites in which the polymer components (resin and hardener) are mixed then further mixed with an aprotic solvent. The hide, presoaked in an aprotic solvent, is next placed in the resin/solvent solution, during which time the hide is impregnated with the solution. The hide is then removed from the solution, the excess resin is removed from the hide surface and the solvent is optionally evaporated. The impregnated hide is further processed at an elevated temperature (temperature lower than that which significantly decomposes the hide) and elevated pressure, by such means as hot press or autoclave, to effect an in situ reaction or curing of the resin impregnated in the hide. |
