Types of artificial leather

Thanks to high technologies, it has become possible to use more advanced, high-quality types of artificial leather in the production of various products that are in no way inferior, but even in some cases superior in properties to natural leather.

Depending on the use of polymer composite materials, which are applied to a woven or non-woven base, artificial leather is divided into the following types: MF microfiber, PU polyurethane, fabric-based PVC (PVC), eco-leather, rubber, polyacetate (PA). Let's look at them in more detail.

Microfiber

Microfiber – the finest fibers made of polyamide or polyester, thanks to which such a base is soft, light, durable and elastic. This material is resistant to light (retains its original color when worn), physical (abrasion) and chemical factors.

Leather made on the basis of MF, in terms of external indicators, practically does not differ from natural leather, and it is possible to create all kinds of textures and color shades.Also, the advantages include good moisture-repellent properties, environmental friendliness (no harmful fumes), absence of foreign odors, and the effect of breathable skin.

Polyurethane PU

PU leather is considered the best material of the new generation, which consists of three layers.

First – based on cotton fabric; second – covered with genuine leather (with defects) that has undergone pre-treatment; third - a layer of high quality polyurethane.

Thanks to the final covering layer, the product can have a wide range of colors, patterns and prints. It is soft, hygienic, frost-resistant, and has a high level of tensile and tear strength.

The material turns out to be porous, due to this the material has good water-repellent and breathable properties. This material is also safe for health and does not evaporate foreign odors.

Fabric based PVC (PVC)

The type of PVC leather is considered the most common; it is made from polyvinyl chloride with the addition of a special plasticizer and additional components that are applied to the base.

To create the base, knitwear and non-woven materials made from natural or artificial fibers are used, on which the characteristics of the product (extensibility, strength) will directly depend.

To achieve greater elasticity, various synthetic additives are added to the material. PVC leather is much heavier than PU leather and less abrasion resistant. Main advantages – ease of care, durability, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and mold damage.

Eco leather

It is close in basic physical properties and positive qualities to PU leather, the main difference is the absence of a second layer.Synthetic fiber and cotton fabric are used as the base.

This material is in demand among buyers and manufacturers due to the presence of polyurethane, the excellent properties of which were described above. Eco-leather does not cause allergic reactions due to the absence of PVC in its composition.

Rubber

The first products made from artificial materials imitating leather were shoes made of rubber impregnated with a rubber solution. Now rubber is used to make shoe parts such as sole heels.

Reference! Initially, rubber leather began to be produced quite a long time ago in Europe (at the end of the 19th century). In our country, industrial rubber production was created in the 1930s.

Important! Products made from artificial materials (with the exception of PU polyurethane and MF microfiber) cannot be washed or dry cleaned.

Wide range of applications

For each area of ​​application, depending on the characteristics of the material and the possibilities of technological processing, a certain type of artificial leather is used.

Materials made from MF are useful in the manufacture of upholstery fabric for upholstered furniture and car seats, as well as sports equipment and shoes (sports and casual).

Most furniture designers recognize the wide range of uses of artificial leather for the implementation of all kinds of design solutions.

For the manufacture of upholstery fabric, as well as interior items, PVC leather is considered an ideal option due to its synthetic nature, variety of color shades and ease of care. It also remains in demand in the production of clothing (raincoats, skirts) and bags.

PU eco-leather is used in the production of clothing, bags, suitcases, and leather goods (purses, gloves, belts, business card holders).

The main advantage of products made from artificial material is their affordable price, which ensures high popularity among consumers.