Application and Evaluation of the Performance of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) and its Blend with Nitrocelulose in Leather Top Coating

A 5% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (m.wt. 125, 000), nitrocellulose and PVA/nitrocellulose blend were applied as a topcoat on dyed goatskin leather. The FT-IR spectroscopy of the cast polymer films indicated that each of the films in dry state consist of only pure polymer. The microscopic and physical characteristics of the coatings were also determined. The PVA coatings were found to have a glossy appearance, smooth handle and good extensibility, with excellent rubbing fastness and light fastness properties. However, the coatings have only a moderate adhesion of finish and have poor heat fastness and flexing endurance properties. The properties were found to improve when PVA was used in blend with nitrocellulose emulsion. The nitrocellulose coatings were, however, found to exhibit an almost all round superior coating property.