Radioisotope investigations on the stratigraphic distribution of poly/methyl methacrylate/grafted onto leather

Investigations on the stratigraphic distribution of poly/methyl methacrylate/ in leather follow our earlier experiments on radiation grafting of vinyl monomers $\text{in situ}$.

Polymer distribution was determined for pigskins and cattlehides tanned with basic sulphates of chromium /III/. ¹⁴C-labelled methyl methacrylate was used in present experiments. Precision slicing technique was employed to cut consecutive slices parallel to the grain surface of the radiation modified leather. Quantitative analysis of polymer distribution in leather was based on radioactivity measurements. Each layer was burned in Oxymat apparatus and resulting ¹⁴CO₂ was analysed by liquid scintillation method.

On the basis of radioactivity measurements and visual observations with light microscope conclusion on desirable distribution of polymer was reached. In the midcorium part of leather polymer is evenly distributed and its content is much higher than for outer layers next to surface and flesh. Mechanism of relevant processes as well as formation and role played by peroxide compounds is discussed.