Split Leather
Split Leather is the lower (flesh) layer separated from a hide after the grain layer is removed, offered as suede (SUEDE), PU-coated split (PU-COAT), embossed split (EMB) and vegetable-tanned split (VEG).
Reference datasheet — Split Leather is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Split Leather tempers and conditions
Split Leather is supplied in one standard condition, VEG.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Split Leather is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EMB | Pigment-finished and embossed split | Surface finish |
PU-COAT | PU-laminated / bycast split | Surface finish |
SUEDEDefault | Chrome-tanned buffed split | Surface finish |
What is Split Leather?
Split Leather is the lower (flesh) layer separated from a hide after the grain layer is removed, offered as suede (SUEDE), PU-coated split (PU-COAT), embossed split (EMB) and vegetable-tanned split (VEG). It is specified where cost and bulk matter more than strength, and is supplied as sides, panels, rolls and die-cut blanks. Density is 0.88 g/cm3 with tensile strength 12 MPa, elongation 55 % and modulus 0.08 GPa, thermal conductivity 0.13 W/m·K and service to about 80 °C; it lacks the grain layer, so abrasion and tear resistance are lower and it takes up water and dirt readily. Use full-grain chrome-tanned leather where strength or a sealed surface is needed. Split Leather has a density of 0.9 g/cm³ (0.0325 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of natural material grades. Split Leather has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi).
What is Split Leather used for?
- work gloves
- polishing wheels
- furniture trim
- protective aprons
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 100% of natural material grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 12 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of natural material grades
- Hard to polish — 15/100, worse than 90% of natural material grades
- Low stiffness — 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi), worse than 85% of natural material grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 77% of natural material grades
Split Leather properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
Split Leather has a density of 0.9 g/cm³ (0.0325 lb/in³), heavier than 72% of natural material grades.
Mechanical4
Split Leather has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 0.1 GPa (0.0145 Msi).
Thermal4
Split Leather is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.14 W/m·K (0.0809 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 51% of natural material grades.
Electrical1
Split Leather has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 77% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Split Leather takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Split Leather's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 76% of natural material grades).
Common Calculations3
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with Split Leather
Is Split Leather easy to machine?
Steel-rule die cutting, oscillating knife and CO2 laser all work. Laser cutting chrome-tanned split produces chromium-bearing fume and a charred edge, so use strong extraction; for fine engraving switch to vegetable-tanned split.
Can Split Leather be welded?
Not weldable. Only PU-film-laminated split can be radio-frequency welded or heat-pressed; the leather itself is joined by stitching, riveting, or PU and polychloroprene adhesive.
Can Split Leather be formed, bent or molded?
Vegetable-tanned split can be soaked, wet-moulded and set by low-temperature drying. Chrome-tanned suede stretches well but springs back and distorts easily, so formed parts need a lining or reinforcement.
Split Leather chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| waterequilibrium moisture, varies with ambient humidity | 10 – 18 | 14 |
| Cr2O3chrome-tanned only; veg-tanned uses 20–30% tannin instead | 2.5 – 5 | 3.5 |
| fatliquor / oils | 3 – 12 | 7 |
| finish / PU coatingfinish layer; laminated splits reach 15–20% | 0 – 20 | 3 |
| ash / minerals | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.2 |
| collagenmainly coarse fiber bundles of the reticular layer | ≥ 60 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on Split Leather?
Suede faces are buffed and raised with an abrasive wheel, then spray dyed and treated with water and stain repellent. Smooth faces can be coated, embossed, PU-film laminated or foil stamped; edges should be skived and treated with edge paint or folded.
How much does Split Leather cost?
Split Leather is a high-cost natural material ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Split Leather — frequently asked
What is Split Leather used for?
Split Leather is typically used for work gloves, polishing wheels, furniture trim and protective aprons. In short: cheapest structural leather layer; suede or PU-coated surface; low tear strength.
What is the tensile strength of Split Leather?
Split Leather has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 68% of natural material grades.
Is Split Leather easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 76% of natural material grades). Steel-rule die cutting, oscillating knife and CO2 laser all work. Laser cutting chrome-tanned split produces chromium-bearing fume and a charred edge, so use strong extraction; for fine engraving switch to vegetable-tanned split.
Can Split Leather be welded?
Not weldable. Only PU-film-laminated split can be radio-frequency welded or heat-pressed; the leather itself is joined by stitching, riveting, or PU and polychloroprene adhesive.
What surface finishes work on Split Leather?
Suede faces are buffed and raised with an abrasive wheel, then spray dyed and treated with water and stain repellent. Smooth faces can be coated, embossed, PU-film laminated or foil stamped; edges should be skived and treated with edge paint or folded.
Can Split Leather be formed, bent or molded?
Vegetable-tanned split can be soaked, wet-moulded and set by low-temperature drying. Chrome-tanned suede stretches well but springs back and distorts easily, so formed parts need a lining or reinforcement.
What is the maximum service temperature of Split Leather?
Split Leather is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Split Leather cost?
Split Leather is a high-cost natural material ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ISO 3376 Leather — Determination of tensile strength and percentage extension — ISO (2020)
- ISO 3380 Leather — Determination of shrinkage temperature up to 100 °C — ISO (2015)
- ASTM D2209 Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength of Leather — ASTM (2019)
- Practical Leather Technology — Krieger (Thorstensen) (1993)
- CES/Granta natural materials records — leather — Ansys Granta (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.