ASTM D1517-15

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Designation: D1517 − 15
Standard Terminology Relating to
1,2
Leather
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1517; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
These definitions are divided into two groups: the first group covers general terms, and the second
group covers definitions applicable to sampling.
The definitions of general terms include some of those encountered by personnel concerned with
specifications and procurement of hides, leather and leather products by the Federal Government.
The definitions applicable to sampling are mainly to be used in connection with the sampling for,
and testing of, physical and chemical properties.
Terms adequately defined by unabridged dictionaries are not generally included.
GENERAL TERMS apron leathers—any one of several varieties of leather used in
connection with textile machinery and blacksmith aprons.
alligator—a general term used for leather made from the skins
Comber and Gill Box apron leather is soft, mellow, tough
of all aquatic species with a grain similar to the american
leather, tanned from steerhides, heavily stuffed and boarded
alligator which cannot be killed legally and, therefore, is not
or otherwise softened. Rub Roll apron leather is a flexible
used by the United States industry.
but firm, dry, strong leather.
alligator-grained leather—leather of various types, such as
aspergillus niger—one of the most common mold growths
calf, sheep or cattlehide embossed to resemble the grain of
found on vegetable tanning vats and on leather, usually
alligator hide.
greenish or blackish in color.
alum leather—leather produced by alum tannage, usually in
automobile leather—see upholstery leather.
combination with other substances. Before the invention of
back—a crop with the head trimmed off behind the horn holes.
chrome-tanning this was the principal method of tanning
(OZUP in Fig. 1.)
with mineral agents.
bactericide—a chemical that kills bacteria.
aniline dyed leather—leather which has been colored by
bag leather—a general term for leathers used in traveling bags
transparent dyes as distinguished from leather treated by
and suitcases. It does not include the light leathers employed
pigments or other opaque material.
for women’s fancy handbags. The staple material for bag
and case leather at present is leather made from the hides of
aniline finish—a clear finish with little or no pigmentation.
animals of the bovine species, but heavy sealskins and
antelope finish suede—applied to lambskin, goatskin, or
goatskins are also used.
calfskin, sueded and finished to resemble antelope.
bark tannage—leather tanned by use of vegetable tannins
antelope leather—a fine, soft leather made from an antelope
found in barks, wood, and other plant derivatives, as
skin, velvety in texture and sheen, sueded on the flesh side.
distinguished from mineral tannages.
This leather is so rare, that for practical purposes, it is
barkometer—a hydrometer used for determining the specific
virtually nonexistent.
gravity of tanning solutions. A specific gravity of 1.000 is
equivalent of 0 deg barkometer (Bk), and each additional
degree Bk is equivalent to an increase of 0.001 in specific
1
ThisterminologyisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD31onLeather
gravity.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.91 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published January 2016. Originally
baseball leather—leather used for covers of baseballs. The
approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D1517 – 10. DOI:
better grades of balls have covers of alum-tanned horsehide
10.1520/D1517-15.
2
front leather. Some cheaper grades are made of kip and
These definitions have been developed in cooperation with the American
Leather Chemists Assn. (Definitions of Terms X1-1961). sheepskins.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D1517 − 15
bleeding—the transfer of materials exuded from leather to
other materials that come in contact with it.
blocking—the adhesion between touching layers of leather
such as occurs under moderate pressures during storage or
use.
bloom—a light-colored deposit of ellagic acid appearing on
the grain surface of leather tanned with certain pyrogallo
tannins, such as myrabolans, valonia, and dividivi. The
appearance may be objectionable for some purposes, but
FIG. 1 Hide, Showing Various Cuts
bloom does not significantly affect the other physical prop-
erties of the leather.
basil—uncolored vegetable
...