Split Leather vs Vegetable-Tanned Leather
Natural Material · grade comparison
Split Leather and Vegetable-Tanned Leather are both natural material grades. Vegetable-Tanned Leather is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Split Leather, about 83% more. In exchange, Split Leather is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 30% for Vegetable-Tanned Leather. Vegetable-Tanned Leather is stiffer (0.25 GPa vs 0.1 GPa). On the shop floor, Split Leather machines more easily (excellent vs good).
Split LeatherChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Vegetable-Tanned LeatherChoose it when strength drives the design.
Split Leather vs Vegetable-Tanned 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.
Split LeatherVegetable-Tanned Leather
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 80°C176 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
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 Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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 | Split Leather | Vegetable-Tanned Leather |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Split Leather vs Vegetable-Tanned Leather — frequently asked
Is Vegetable-Tanned Leather stronger than Split Leather?
Yes. Vegetable-Tanned Leather has a typical tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Split Leather — about 83% more.
Which is cheaper, Split Leather or Vegetable-Tanned Leather?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Split Leather or Vegetable-Tanned Leather?
Split Leather. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (60/100) for Vegetable-Tanned Leather.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Split Leather and Vegetable-Tanned 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.