Split Leather VEG (Vegetable-tanned split)
Grade
Use the chrome-free vegetable-tanned split when stiffness, wet moulding and laser engraving matter — linings, padding, hand-tooling stock — accepting a 60 °C limit and distortion when wet.
Values for the VEG condition
What is Split Leather VEG?
Split Leather VEG is Split Leather in the VEG grade — use the chrome-free vegetable-tanned split when stiffness, wet moulding and laser engraving matter — linings, padding, hand-tooling stock — accepting a 60 °C limit and distortion when wet. Split Leather VEG has a tensile strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), weaker than 64% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 0.25 GPa (0.0363 Msi). Split Leather VEG has a density of 0.95 g/cm³ (0.0343 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of natural material grades.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of natural material grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 89% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 20/100, worse than 98% of natural material grades
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 94% of natural material grades
- High embodied carbon — 12 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of natural material grades
- Low stiffness — 0.25 GPa (0.0363 Msi), worse than 85% of natural material grades
- Heavy — 0.95 g/cm³ (0.0343 lb/in³), worse than 77% of natural material grades
Split Leather VEG properties
Typical room-temperature values for Split Leather VEG; 8 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Split Leather reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
Split Leather VEG has a density of 0.95 g/cm³ (0.0343 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of natural material grades.
Mechanical4
Split Leather VEG has a tensile strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi), weaker than 64% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 0.25 GPa (0.0363 Msi).
Thermal4
Split Leather VEG is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °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 VEG has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), worse than 98% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Split Leather VEG 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 VEG's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Split Leather VEG
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.
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.
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) | — |
Split Leather VEG — frequently asked
What is Split Leather VEG used for?
Split Leather VEG 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 VEG?
Split Leather VEG has a typical tensile strength of 14 MPa (2.03 ksi) — weaker than 64% of natural material grades.
Is Split Leather VEG easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% 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 VEG 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 VEG?
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 VEG 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 VEG?
Split Leather VEG is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.