Modern day requirements upon leather articles require high durability and abrasion resistance properties. This is especially true in athletic and military type products for use in increasingly demanding conditions.

Traditional techniques can use specific friction reduction agents, e.g. silicones to provide enhanced abrasion resistance. However, this type of technology can cause some shoe manufacturing problems and also in specific situations such as soccer, cause a reduction in ball control.

An alternative approach utilizes novel nano-technology to provide high abrasion resistance properties. These nano-particulates are extremely hard materials, yet small enough to cover a huge surface area without detriment to other technical properties or the feel of the leather. The SEM below gives pictorial evidence of this:

These particles are combined with the leather surface to enhance the resistance to abrasion. They are so small that the wearer will not notice any change in the feel or movement of the leather. They are permanently bonded to the leather to enhance the life of the leather article.

Below are SEM’s (Scanning Electron Micrographs) which reveal some experimental testing for abrasion resistance both with and without the technology:

Typical results for abrasion resistance properties as tested by the Tabar Abrader - H22 wheels - 500 g loading. Note other tanneries may use less severe conditions when quoting their abrasion resistance results:

	Finish Type	Cycles to Test Failure
	Standard Athletic Finishes	40 - 60
	DurateK 120	>120
	DurateK X	>1000

This demonstrates the superiority of the DurateK technology over traditional finishing technologies available from other leather manufacturers. This technology is available in any colour, including metallics, pearls, etc.