In Vitro Study for Use of Cactus Gel in Enhancing the Mechanical Strengths of Vegetable Tanned Leathers Under Accelerated Aging

The present experimental study investigate the use of aloe vera gel as an innovative material to reinforce the degraded leather. The effectiveness of the proposed material was assessed by measuring the mechanical properties, color change, infrared spectroscopy, pH measurement, and microscopic examination. The results showed the effectiveness of the gel material in improving the tensile strength, elongation, and reducing the color change during the aging process without affecting the degree of pH as well as its ability to penetrate the fiber cells, which contributed to increase the size of fibers, fiber bundles, and the cohesion of internal structure of the leather as explained the results of SEM. Although gel has no effect in inhibiting the growth of fungi, it has helped reduce growth slightly.