What is composite leather, its application in shoes and bags

Any person, choosing clothes, shoes and other products, is interested in what the product is made of. It is no secret that clothes made of genuine leather are valued higher than those made of its substitutes. Often the label says that it is "composite leather", what does this mean, what kind of material it is and what properties it has become unknown to the average person.

What is it made of?

First, we need to understand: composite leather – what it is and what it is made of. The material is obtained by pressing and then joining natural pieces that are formed in the tannery. The process consists of several stages, and they may differ from each other, but the result is the same.

The whole canvas is obtained by gluing together small pieces of leather left over from the production of the main product. By pressing, a whole composition is obtained.

Manufacturing process

First, the small pieces are heated in hot water, then they are rolled into one sheet. This can be done not by gluing, but by processing under a high-pressure press. As a result, different types of sheet are obtained.

The finished material can be painted, polished, varnished. The canvas is not capricious, it is easy to work with.

The upper material of the leather is suede, a metallized layer or additional embossing.

To know the value of the canvas and its characteristics, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the composition of the canvas. Leather is made from the following components:

• old clothes made of natural material that can no longer be worn and cannot be restored;
• from small waste left over from the production of basic goods;
• dust and flour from the material in question. They are needed to give the canvas an imitation of suede.

What is the difference between composite and natural

In appearance, the composite variety is not so different from the natural version. But people should know that no substitute can compare with natural material. In order not to buy a product made of pressed leather under the guise of a natural leather product, it is necessary to know how they differ.

The composite variety is made entirely from leather industry waste. Although the raw material is natural, the fabric differs from full-fledged dressed animal skins.

The material does not allow air to pass through well, since it is made by gluing or pressing. Products made from it do not last long, two years at most. The price of products made from composite leather is much lower than that of products made from natural material. But it is higher than that of products made from leatherette.

The pieces glued together under the influence of binding synthetic fibers absorb moisture poorly. The fabric is completely unstretchable and is not particularly durable.

There are ways to find out if leather is pressed right in the store:

• carefully examine the pattern on the surface. If it is symmetrical and the pores are in a symmetrical arrangement, then the fabric is not natural;
• try to stretch the material. Genuine leather will stretch, albeit with difficulty, and return to its original position. Composite fabric does not stretch;
• pressed material is rough to the touch and has many creases, wears out and cracks quickly, and this is visible even on a new product;

• when cut, it is very similar to natural leather;
• When set on fire, it can burn like natural wood, without soot and emitting a faint smell of burning.

A conscientious manufacturer will always print a footnote on the product label – K KOZHA, which means that the product was made using a composite component.

Where it is used

Shoes

The main area of ​​application of the product in question is shoe production. But shoes made of 100% composite material are not made because they will not last long due to their fragility. What does K leather mean on shoes - this means that the sole, insoles and backs are made of this material in the product. Composite material is actively used to manufacture these parts.

Shoes made entirely from the presented material are rare, as they are not durable and last no more than two seasons. If you take care of them, wear them only in dry weather and at temperatures above -15 degrees, they can last longer.

The main disadvantage of shoes made of pressed material is the violation of moisture exchange properties and, as a rule, hygienic ones. Leather does not allow air to pass through, which is why dampness begins to be felt inside and the feet become uncomfortable, especially in cold weather. Therefore, to reduce the cost of the purchase, it is recommended to choose the option of a combined product, that is, the upper of the shoe is made of natural material, and the sole, insoles and backs are made of composite.

Bags

Since pressed material is not particularly strong and durable, it is used in bag production for interior trim and handle processing. Bags are not made entirely of composite leather, but are only used partially to reduce the cost of the product.

Some manufacturers use pressed material to sew the entire bag. The material looks beautiful on the outside, it has a huge range of shades, the material is smooth on the outside and looks like genuine leather. If you use the bag carefully, do not take it with you in bad weather or frost, it can last longer than usual.

Advantages of matter

Composite leather – what is it – is it a new quality material or a synthetic fake? The advantages include the following factors:

• has advantages in terms of strength over artificial analogues;
• the fabric contains only natural components;
• has a beautiful appearance, which is largely similar to natural;
• The surface can be painted in any shade, which will turn out rich and pleasant.

• Composite fabric can be used to make artificial suede or material that resembles the skin of any animal.

The most significant advantage of composite material is its low cost, since waste from leather production is used for production, as a result of which the prices for products made from this product are significantly lower than for goods made from genuine leather.

In addition, natural raw materials ensure the safety of the material in the use of the product. Clothes, shoes and accessories do not smell of chemicals and do not cause an allergic reaction. Even children's clothes can be sewn from this material.

Flaws

Composite leather is used to make shoes and bags, which fill the shelves of domestic stores in abundance. Sellers convince buyers that this material is natural, but this is far from true. This product has several disadvantages:

• since the technology of producing the canvas consists of gluing or pressing pieces, the material is not strong enough;
• as you wear your shoes, they start to let moisture through;
• the material does not tolerate temperatures below 15 degrees and does not warm in frost;
• shoes should not be worn in inclement weather or mud;
• the fabric quickly breaks and cracks under external mechanical influences.

• Pressed material does not allow air to pass through.

The fabric can be easily torn. Feet sweat in shoes, and bags and purses wear out quickly.

But still, things made of composite leather sell well. They are not expensive, which gives them a significant advantage over things made of natural material. Even though they are short-lived, this gives fashionistas the opportunity to update their wardrobe more often and always be at the peak of fashion.