Abstract: An unsupported leather or textile substitute in the form of a cellular porous unsupported sheets having:A. a thickness of 1 to 3 mm;B. a density of 0.25 to 0.60 g/cm.sup.3 ;C. an average cell diameter size of 60 to 200 microns;D. a tensile strength between 10 and 60 kg/cm.sup.2 ;E. a tear propagation strength between 4 and 10 kg/cm;F. a flexibility of 10 to 100 g . cmG. a water vapor permeability of 20 to 200 mg/1000 mm.sup.2.day;H. a scratch resistance with 0.8 kg load of at least 40 strokes.

Abstract: A shoe upper having in place of the upper leather thereof a fleeceless water vapor permeable microporous sheet of elastomeric polyurethane material having a thickness of about 0.8 - 1.8 mm. and having an extension at break of at least 200%.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of artificial leather which has a napped, suede or nubuck surface finish by contacting a natural, synthetic of semi-synthetic backing member with a polymeric system comprising a mixture of a heat-reactive latex and a carboxylated latex and which contains at least one dyestuff. Each of the latices is cross-linked in sequence while the contacted backing member is dried. The migration of non-polymeric components in the system of latices is suppressed during drying. The backing so treated is mechanically altered on the grain side of the backing member to provide an irregular leather-like surface thereto.

Abstract: A synthetic leather consisting essentially of three adherent microporous polyurethane layers, including a first base layer of a polyurethane impregnated fibrous fleece or web, a second or intermediate polyurethane layer containing 3-30% by weight of very finely divided insoluble solid particles with an individual volume is less than 2.times.10.sup..sup.-2 mm..sup.3 and with a maximum length generally below about 0.3 mm., preferably less than 0.1 mm., and a third or cover polyurethane layer which can be finished in a conventional manner. The product is especially distinguished by a smooth and uniform surface resistant to the "orange peel" effect. The method is distinguished by the application of the intermediate layer before the base layer is completely coagulated or solidified in the formation of the microporous structure.

Abstract: A synthetic suede is disclosed comprising a flexible backing having a multiplicity of upstanding flock fibers adhered to the base, and a fatty acid radical cationic softener substantially uniformly distributed over at least portions of the fibers at or near their ends. Typical cationic softeners include the fatty acid quaternary ammonium softeners.

Abstract: A water vapor permeable artificial leather material is disclosed which consists essentially of tough microporous elastomeric polymer material free from fibrous reinforcement having a thickness of at least 0.8 mm and a microporous appearance modifying surface layer or finish.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water vapor permeable shoe upper material having at least three layers, the density, thickness and structure of the layers having a defined novel relationship whereby an improved cut tear to stiffness relationship is achieved.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric having a fibrous surface similar to that of leather and high mechanical characteristics so that it is adapted for use as a substitute for leather in industrial applications is prepared by saturating a matt of fibers with an elastomeric polyurethane which can be cross-linked with moisture. The so obtained composite laminar structure, having a thickness of from 0.1 to 10 mm, has a density of about 0.85 to 1.4 g/cm.sup.3, a hardness of 85 to 95 Shore A and a tensile strength of about 1.5 to 2.5 kg/mm.sup.2, and possesses a water-vapor permeability in the range of about 30 to 100 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours according to DIN 53 333.

Abstract: A shoe-stiffening material useful as a stock material to stiffen selected parts of a shoe, which material comprises: a flexible fabric material saturated with a latex composition comprising a natural or synthetic elastomeric polymer, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, and a cross-linking system comprising a peroxide agent, a vinyl polymeric activator and a metal oxide catalyst, which system is adapted to effect cross-linking of the polymer at a temperature and in a time period employed in the shoe-manufacturing process, the sheet material optionally coated on one or both sides with an adhesive thermoplastic polymer, whereby the flexible sheet material may be employed between an outer leather and an inner shoe liner, and forms a bonded, stiff stock material as a box toe stiffener or shoe counter.

Abstract: A leather-like sheet material is provided having a good pearl-like tint, said sheet material comprising a substrate comprising a fibrous mat and a porous coating layer of a polymer composed mainly of a polyurethane elastomer, a pearl layer having a thickness of 0.2 to 10.mu. and comprising a polymer composed mainly of a polyurethane elastomer and 3 to 500% by weight, based on the polymer, of a pearl pigment, and a colored layer having a thickness of 0.1 to 10.mu. and comprising a polymer composed mainly of a polyurethane elastomer and 1 to 300% by weight, based on the polymer, of a dyestuff and/or 1 to 600% by weight, based on the polymer, of a pigment.

Abstract: A smooth-surfaced textile fabric, suitable for use in artificial leather, is prepared by needling staple fibers into a coherently-entangled structure. The structure has a base layer which carries a major portion of planar loading and a top layer which carries a minor portion of planar loading. Disposed on the top layer is a polymeric finish having a smooth surface. The base layer and the top layer are connected by connecting fibers having segments disposed in each of the said layers and the connecting fibers only loosely connect the top layer to the base layer.

Abstract: Artificial leather having a crepe pattern is produced by a process comprising preparing a base cloth material at least a part of which is composed of highly heat shrinkable yarn and less heat shrinkable yarn, said highly heat shrinkable yarn having a heat shrinkage rate of at least 10 percent at a temperature within the range at 80.degree. to 230.degree.C and the difference in the heat shrinkage rate between said highly heat shrinkable yarn and said less heat shrinkable yarn being at least 5 percent within the same temperature range, forming a synthetic resin film layer on said base cloth material to obtain an artificial leather material having a smooth synthetic resin surface, and subjecting said artificial leather material to a heat treatment to form a crepe pattern on said synthetic resin film layer due to the heat shrinkage difference between said highly heat shrinkable yarn and said less heat shrinkable yarn of said part of said base cloth material.

Abstract: Fabric is coated with a cellular blend of polyvinyl chloride resin and butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber, the said rubber component being vulcanized; the coating is buffed to expose the cells and thereby produce an artificial suede finish. The presence of the cured butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber in the composition eliminates the undesirable "glint" or shine that would otherwise be present, and gives a desirable flat finish. If an additional noncellular layer of the blend of polyvinyl chloride resin and butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber is interposed between the base fabric and the cellular surface layer, the abrasion resistance of the laminate is enhanced.

Abstract: A plastic laminate and shaped article having a polyurethane film substrate, a fabric superstrate and an intermediate layer of polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam layer is cast upon the polyurethane film to provide a substantially integral laminate. The fabric layer is also bonded to the foam layer, preferably prior to complete curing, permitting the use of unnapped fabrics.

Abstract: There is provided a needled textile fabric having high bulk density, entangled fibers, a controlled axis of flexure and a bulk density gradient wherein the bulk density increases from the back surface to the face surface thereof. The products are made by needling layers of fibers having a needle pick-up gradient into a dense structure, with a bulk density gradient. The needled fabric is coated with a polymeric coating on the face surface of the structure where the thickness of the coating is from 4 to 20 mils. The fabric is suitable for use as an artificial leather.

Abstract: Artificial leather is produced by applying a dope comprising urethane prepolymers containing terminal isocyanate groups, an amine catalyst and a foam stabilizer onto a releasing carrier sheet, exposing the resulting coating layer to a moisture-containing gas under controlled conditions, laminating the coating layer onto a backing material and stripping off the releasing carrier sheet. The resulting artificial leather has a cellular structure of polyurethane microfoam in adhesion with the backing material and an adhesion strength of 100 to 10,000 g/cm of width.

Abstract: A textile fabric with a dense intensely entangled reticular fibrous structure and process for manufacture thereof are provided wherein staple fibers are needled into a high bulk density structure with a bulk density gradient wherein the bulk density increases from the back surface to the face surface of the structure. The needled structure is impregnated with a liquid phase filler and capillary action preferentially disposes the liquid phase filler toward the more dense face surface. The filler is coagulated and dried, cured, etc., into particles which are at most loosely bonded to the fibers. The preferential disposition of the filler increases the bulk density gradient of the filled fabric.

Abstract: A polyurethaneamide containing ethylene oxide units and adapted to be dispersed in water without added emulsifiers and dispersions containing them are provided. The novel dispersions produce coatings on leather and other substrates having an improved glossy appearance.

Abstract: A fibrous article having a suede-like surface is composed of numerous staple fiber bundle units mutually entangled with one another in a three-dimensional configuration. Each staple fiber bundle unit comprises a plurality of flexible and relatively movable synthetic organic ultrafine fibers having a substantially round cross-sectional profile, substantially the same fiber length, and lying axially along the longitudinal axis of the staple fiber bundle unit. Elastic bonding material is disposed around and spaced axially along the ultrafine fiber bundle units joining together adjacent ones of the ultrafine fiber bundle units at locations where they intersect with one another to jointly hold the entangled ultrafine fiber bundle units in their three-dimensional configuration while permitting slight relative longitudinal movement between the individual ultrafine fibers within each ultrafine fiber bundle unit.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing (A) an aminoplast precondensate, (B) a polymeric ethylene imine, the monomer of which is a reaction product of toluenediisocyanate a fluorinated alkanol and ethylene imine, which polymer is dispersed by means of a dispersant obtained by reacting said fluorinated alkanol, toluenediisocyanate and a polyethylene glycol, (C) a long-chain alkyl urea and (D) a cross-linking catalyst is useful for rendering a velvety suede-like polyurethane structure oil- and water-repellant.