Liming (leather processing)
Have you ever noticed that leather shoes or bags have different colors? Some of them are light-colored while others are dark brown or black. This difference in color is done through a process called liming.
Liming is a process used in leather processing to remove unwanted hair and flesh from animal hides to create a surface that can be dyed or embossed. First, the hides are soaked in water so that they become soft and pliable. Then, they are treated with a special chemical called lime, which helps to remove any residual proteins and fats.
Lime powder is added to water, and the hides are soaked for several hours in the mixture. The lime reacts with the proteins in the hides, causing them to break down and loosen. This allows the hair and flesh to be easily removed with a knife or machine.
After the hair and flesh have been removed, the hides are washed and soaked in water again to remove any remaining lime. At this point, the hides are ready for the next stage of processing, which could be tanning, dyeing, or finishing.
So, in simpler terms, liming is like taking a bath for leather. It helps to clean the hides, remove unwanted hair and flesh, and prepares them to be transformed into the beautiful leather products we see in stores.
Liming is a process used in leather processing to remove unwanted hair and flesh from animal hides to create a surface that can be dyed or embossed. First, the hides are soaked in water so that they become soft and pliable. Then, they are treated with a special chemical called lime, which helps to remove any residual proteins and fats.
Lime powder is added to water, and the hides are soaked for several hours in the mixture. The lime reacts with the proteins in the hides, causing them to break down and loosen. This allows the hair and flesh to be easily removed with a knife or machine.
After the hair and flesh have been removed, the hides are washed and soaked in water again to remove any remaining lime. At this point, the hides are ready for the next stage of processing, which could be tanning, dyeing, or finishing.
So, in simpler terms, liming is like taking a bath for leather. It helps to clean the hides, remove unwanted hair and flesh, and prepares them to be transformed into the beautiful leather products we see in stores.