Investigation of Chrome-Greasing Diffusion into the Sheepskin Structure

The authors have studied chrome-greasing fluid diffusion into the sheepskin structure by scanning electron microscopy. The results confirm the even distribution of chrome tanning components in the structure of semi-processed sheepskin during ageing for 2 hours. The quality of the finished product, produced according to the innovative technology of combined tanning and greasing with integrated mechanical processing, meets the regulatory requirements of TRCU 017/2011 “On the safety of products of light industry”. The proposed innovative method of tanning and greasing fluid diffusion into sheepskin structure can significantly reduce processing time of semi-finished sheepskin from 4 hours to 4.5 minutes, ageing time from 4 to 2 hours and considerably reduce water consumption and, thus, decrease toxic effluents emission containing trivalent chromium.