|
Property
|
Ideal
material
|
Leather
|
| High
Temperature resistant |
Should
be good. Not marked by contact with hot metal (hot plates, hot setters,
hot blasting, folding etc) |
Good.
Although some finishes may darken. Does not melt like many plastics.
Very high temperature may cause charring. |
| Cement
holding |
Should
be compatible with all shoe making adhesives |
Very
good provided the grain layer is removed. Compatible with most cement
systems. |
| Finishing |
Wide
range of finishes should be possible. No peeling of the finish. |
Good,
but some leathers do tend to lose their finish or cause staining
due to poor selection or application of finish. |
| Cleaning
/ Repair |
Should
not be damaged by normal cleaners or dressings. Scratches should
be easily hidden. |
Not
damaged by cleaners but some finishes may be removed. Easily repaired
with waxes. |
| Elasticity |
Should
be high to retain the moulded shape, but some plasticity is needed
to allow further moulding to the individual foot. |
Closer
to the ideal than any other type of material when dry. 75 percent
elasticity and 25 percent plasticity before stretching. |
| Modulus |
Should
be low enough to avoid discomfort when the shoe is flexed, but high
enough to grip the foot. |
Lies
in the right range |
| Flex-crack
resistance/folding properties |
Should
show no cracking throughout the shoe life over a wide temperature
range. Leathers like break is much sought after |
Shows
no more than surface cracks during normal life at all the likely
temperatures provided tanning is correct and oil content is maintained |
