The respective advantages of leather and synthetic leather

In the meanwhile, the materials used for syntheticleather have developed to such an extent that the two materials have long since become visually indistinguishable from each other.

Gone are the days when you could tell from three meters away that a leather (or at least one of it’s components) was a plastic compound. In the meantime, artificial leather manufacturers have also succeeded in deceptively reproducing the natural grain structure of genuine leather.

But even if there is no longer any visible difference: which is better? Where are the differences?

Advantages of leather

Unlike synthetic leather, genuine leather has a much better reputation and is considered a high-quality and luxurious material. This can be especially important for items such as fashion or furniture, which are also often purchased for prestige.

One of the biggest advantages of leather, it is said, is its longevity and durability. With good care, leather products should last for decades and often even become more beautiful with age. At the same time, it is tear-resistant, robust and abrasion is low. That is why the comparatively high purchase costs can be more favorable in the long term than alternatives with artificial leather.

It should be noted, however, that modern microfiber leather with good quality can now not only compete with that of genuine leather, but real leather is even behind in terms of sensitivity to stains, scratches, etc. here.

Leather is more resistant to fire, while synthetic leather is relatively early flammable. Artificial leather would not survive a cigarette burn so well, and you can set it on fire with a standard lighter. With real leather, on the other hand, even a Bunsen burner comes up against its limits: even in the highest temperature ranges, it glows at best – but stinks terribly.

Leather can also definitely score points when it comes to breathability and water permeability – these advantages can only be offered by genuine leather (in many areas, however, water impermeability is more desirable, which then speaks more in favor of synthetic leathers).

We are not sure if this is really true in general, but it is said that leather is more skin-friendly and its texture is perceived by many people as more pleasant than artificial leather.

Conclusion: Real leather is definitely valuable, but we see the big advantage of real leather in its nimbus; a kind of magic, luxury and quality as well as naturalness surrounds the leather. Although on the one hand perhaps more durable than synthetic leather, it is also more sensitive and needs to be well cared for so that it does not become brittle and unsightly for as long as possible.

Advantages of synthetic leather

Artificial leather offers several advantages over genuine leather. Especially the robustness of the imitation leather is to be emphasized here – claws, liquids and environmental influences can almost not harm the imitation leather.

Depending on the manufacturing process and the quality of the synthetic leather, it is almost indestructible. It neither changes its shape under strong mechanical impact, nor can it be pierced with normal force – except, of course, with the help of pointed objects. Genuine leather, on the other hand, loses its shape comparatively quickly, gives way under tension and dents when worn on one side.

Synthetic leather is very easy to maintain compared to real leather. This can simply be wiped with a damp cloth or briefly held under the tap.

Therefore, especially in the medical field, examination and treatment furniture is often made of it. Compared to genuine leather, the easy cleaning and the compatibility of chemical disinfectants is an enormous advantage. These would cause the upper color layer of genuine leather to dissolve or become brittle too quickly.

No wonder that motorcycle saddles, saddles of jet skis, which are under extreme stress, are usually made of artificial leather; sun and water would damage the leather too much.

The same applies to cars; the automotive industry is probably the largest customer for artificial leather. After all, almost everything in a car can be pimped with imitation leather – whether seat covers, gearshift bags, folding roofs, headliners, steering wheels, dashboards or entire interior trims. Imitation leather is simply used everywhere in cars (very often also in combination with parts made of genuine leather, so that the equipment can still be marketed as “leather”). However, artificial leather is especially preferred over animal leather because of its robustness and ease of processing.

While with genuine leather you have to be careful that it doesn’t mold if there is too much moisture, with faux leather you can be sure that won’t happen.

However, it is often said that imitation leather cannot compete with genuine leather in terms of durability. However, this statement has only been true for the cheapest price segment for years – durability should no longer be an issue with modern and high-quality materials.

Last but not least: Faux leather is better for your karma. Unfortunately, real leather is not a “waste product” of meat production that is produced anyway, as you might think. Also, the processed end product “leather” is by no means an environmentally friendly “natural product”, but quite the opposite, an artificial product with a surprisingly large ethical and ecological “footprint” and highly contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

Here are some more links to the topic:

The Leather Industry

The top 5 myths about animal leather:

https://melinabucher.com/blogs/stories/leather-myths

Here are five things the global leather industry doesn’t want you to know:

https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/the-leather-industry-doesnt-want-you-to-see-this/

Shocking Abuse in Global Leather Trade:

https://www.peta.org.uk/features/global-leather-trade/

Leather: Animals Abused And Killed for Their Skins

(c) 2022 LONESOME DRAGON

Synthetic leather is not just a cheaper option to real leather, is already looks back on an amazingly long successful history and development. It is used everywhere where the stress is very high. With the third generation of artificial leather, the microfiber leather has now definitely taken at least an equal position at the side of the real leather (see also the article Genuine leather or synthetic leather?).

What is microfiber leather?

Nowadays, it is hardly possible for non-experts to distinguish genuine leather from good synthetic leather without destructive test procedures. Not only does it feel like real leather, but the grain and surface structure also make it almost impossible to tell the difference. In the case of high-quality microfiber leather, even the cut edges and reverse side look and feel like genuine leather.

Microfiber leather is very durable and has antibacterial and anti-odor chemical properties. It is lightweight, more breathable than the former PVC synthetic leather and water repellent. Compared to leather, it is also a more environmentally friendly product that is easy to clean and requires little maintenance.

Microfiber leather is the abbreviation for microfiber polyurethane synthetic leather. It is third generation synthetic leather after PVC- and PU synthetic leather.

Microfiber leather consists of two parts, nylon microfiber and polyurethane, which are firmly bonded together.

In the structure of the ground layer, the ultrafine fibers are interconnected in three dimensions to act as a skeleton and support. They form a structure similar to dermal collagen fibers.

Polyurethane is distributed around the fibers, turning the entire synthetic leather base fabric into a functional whole. The many round, needle-shaped foam structures form a three-dimensional network.

The hair groove structure between them is offset and connected to form a fine permeable structure, so that the leather body has a certain breathability and moisture permeability.

The impressive history of synthetic leather

Synthetic leather already has a considerable history of almost 200 years.

As early as 1830, canvases were coated with linseed oil mixtures into which a structure was embossed.

Around 1900, these materials were followed by new processes in which carrier fabric was coated with a covering compound based on cellulose nitrate and also embossed.

Between 1900 and 1945, the so-called “Presstoff” produced in Germany and used throughout Europe was also popular; a specially treated and coated paper pulp.

Although this sounds quite bizarre, this material was actually very popular during the Second World War. It was used for horse harnesses, belts, holsters and much more.

Many other products were developed in the first half of the last century, such as “Naugahyde” or DuPont’s “Fabrikoid,” a cotton cloth coated with nitrocellulose. This was already used extensively in the 1920s for car seat covers as well as in the tops of convertibles.

In the middle of the 20th century, materials with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) top layer became increasingly popular, before these were replaced by PU (polyurethane) coated materials and microfiber leather, especially in the higher-priced segment.

Microfiber leather properties

Depending on the manufacturing process and the quality of synthetic leather, it is almost indestructible. It neither changes its shape under strong mechanical impact, nor can it be pierced with normal force – except, of course, with the help of pointed objects. Genuine leather, on the other hand, loses its shape comparatively quickly, gives way under tension and dents when worn on one side.

Synthetic leather is easier to maintain than real leather and is less sensitive to stains. The synthetic leather can simply be wiped with a damp cloth or cleaned with a little soap and a sponge (but see also the last section “Care”).

Sustainability

When comparing the life cycle assessment of genuine leather with synthetic leather made from PU compounds, the imitation performs significantly better. By dispensing with animal products, the production of synthetic leather causes only about half the CO2 emissions. In addition, water consumption, use of toxic chemicals and production waste are significantly lower than for animal leather.

PU is also the clear winner in comparison to PVC-coated fabrics, which contain toxic plasticizers. So for fans of leather a real alternative – completely without animal suffering. Since the imitation is also free of other animal materials, such as wool, felt, silk or animal glues and dyes, these products are also suitable for vegans.

Polyurethane is a plastic – and therefore still not ideal in terms of sustainability. Compared to genuine leather, however, it is significantly more environmentally and climate friendly. Consumers also set an example against working conditions in the production countries and don’t have to worry about chromate residues on the skin.

Maintenance and care

Synthetic leather, although less than leather, is sensitive when it comes to sun exposure, so please protect from continuous direct sun.

As with genuine leather, sweat, skin grease, creams and some oils and lubricants attack the synthetic leather in addition to the sun. If these residues are not removed, the synthetic leather becomes brittle. It should therefore always be wiped with a damp cloth after use and briefly rubbed dry to prevent signs of wear.

For further care, it must be noted that synthetic leather should not be treated like conventional leather. Care substances such as leather grease would not be absorbed, but remain on the surface as an unsightly smear film.
Therefore, there are special care products, which you can additionally use from time to time to keep your synthetic leather as long as possible beautiful. These agents usually consist of sets with a cleaner and a sealer or impregnator.
The cleaner helps to dissolve dirt and thus clean the surface. A sealer is applied to the synthetic leather and prevents dirt and abrasion from settling on it.

There are countless products for this in the regional retailers, which is why we refrain here from selective mentions or advertising. We only refer as a suggestion and example to the products of this supplier, which also has products for the repair of minor damage to synthetic leather in the range (these products are available in most countries of the world):

https://www.colourlockaustralia.com.au/tip/furniture/imitation-leather.html

(c) 2022 LONESOME DRAGON