Abstract: A process for producing a sheet material similar in appearance to but cheaper and of inferior quality as compared with natural leather. A low-cost, poor-quality imitation leather, consisting of a composite sheet material having a polymer matrix with natural or synthetic fibers, is subjected to the same finish process applied in the tanning industry, which process consists in spraying and drying the exposed surfaces of the composite material, in successive stages, with hot-curing plastic dye resins, which are applied in a water or solvent mixture to which wax, pigments and/or metallized azoic dyes may be added; in hot calendering the material using engraved or smooth cylinders or plates; and, if necessary, in fulling the material in rotary drums.

Abstract: A process is described which permits synthetic chamois pelts entirely similar to natural pelts to be obtained; the process consists in starting from any known synthetic sheet material of the type formed by a porous polyurethane matrix having synthetic fibres embedded therein and a covering skin layer of compact polyurethane resin applied to one face of the matrix, and in splitting it into two layers, a first identical to the starting material, that is provided with the matrix and the covering layer, but thinner, and a second composed only of the matrix, and in then subjecting this latter, after buffing, to a dyeing operation performed with textile technology, followed by a folding phase also typical of textile treatment, and by possible stamping and re-buffing phases.

Abstract: An improved process is described for obtaining synthetic hides similar to natural hides by application, to a composite sheet material formed of a porous polymeric matrix within which are embedded fibres, preferably polyamides, of a tanning phase entirely similar to that utilized on natural hides, followed by a treatment with an aqueous solution of a di- or polyaldehide and by a stuffing phase, also entirely similar to that utilized on natural hides; the improved principle consists in effecting, between the tanning phase and the treatment with the di- or polyaldehide, a filling phase in which synthetic polymeric resins mixed with synthetic and/or natural tannins are introduced and fixed into the porous matrix.

Abstract: Synthetic sheet material comprising a porous polyurethane resin matrix containing polyester or polyethylene fibers, and a pressed polyurethane resin cover film patterned to imitate natural leather is treated inside rotary tanning drums, with a bivalent or trivalent metal salt solution, preferably of a chloride or sulphate, which is brought up to precipitation pH level in such a manner as to fill the pores in the polyurethane matrix on the sheet material with a corresponding hydroxide, after which the material is treated with a dialdehyde; fireproofing, coloring and softening substances.

Abstract: Process particularly suitable for artificial leather of the type whereby a porous polyurethane resin matrix containing polyester and/or polyethylene fibers is covered with a compact, pressed polyurethane resin film, and consists of treating the artificial leather in rotary tanning drums, firstly, with a relatively concentrated solution of water and PIROFLAM (registered trade mark) or other similar commercial fireproofing/retarding substance of the type commonly employed for extinguishing forest fires, and, secondly, with a solution of water and softener, e.g. TRIANOL SP (registered trade mark) to which is added an appropriate amount of the same fireproofing/retarding substance used previously on the artificial leather.