Chrome-Tanned Leather vs Split Leather
Natural Material · grade comparison
Chrome-Tanned Leather and Split Leather are both natural material grades. Chrome-Tanned Leather is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Split Leather, about 117% more. In exchange, Split Leather is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 48% for Chrome-Tanned Leather. Chrome-Tanned Leather is stiffer (0.3 GPa vs 0.1 GPa) and Chrome-Tanned Leather runs hotter in service (100°C vs 80°C continuous). On the shop floor, Split Leather machines more easily (excellent vs very good).
Chrome-Tanned LeatherChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Split LeatherChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Chrome-Tanned Leather vs Split Leather: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all natural material grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all natural material grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Chrome-Tanned LeatherSplit Leather
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 0.9 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³ · Porosity 50%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every natural material grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Chrome-Tanned Leather | Split Leather |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Chrome-Tanned Leather vs Split Leather — frequently asked
Is Chrome-Tanned Leather stronger than Split Leather?
Yes. Chrome-Tanned Leather has a typical tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Split Leather — about 117% more.
Which is cheaper, Chrome-Tanned Leather or Split Leather?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Chrome-Tanned Leather or Split Leather?
Split Leather. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against very good (78/100) for Chrome-Tanned Leather.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Chrome-Tanned Leather and Split Leather side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.