Synthesis and characterization of leather impregnated with bismaleimide (BMI) -: Jeffamine® resins

Leather/polymer composites were prepared by impregnating chrome-tanned cattlehide with a solution containing 1,1'-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)bismaleimide and Jeffamine(R) D-230. The mechanical properties in tension, glass transition temperatures, dynamic storage moduli, and moisture absorption of the composites were measured. Impregnated samples showed significant changes in tensile properties, such as the Young's modulus and strain at break, when compared with chrome-tanned cattlehide. In addition, impact energy increased significantly upon formation of the leather/polymer composite over that of the bismaleimide-Jeffamine(R) resin itself. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 1019-1027. 1998.