Thermoregulated natural leather using phase change materials: An example of bioinspiration

Natural leather is a very attractive material for applications involving industries ranging from that of technical clothes to fashion. Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (PCMs) can be coated onto natural leathers using a polymer binder to add the thermoregulating properties demanded by modern consumers. The use of microcapsules enhances the thermal response of the leather during heating or cooling and the degree of thermal sensitivity depends on the percentage of microcapsules added onto the leather. The thermoregulating properties of leathers have been evaluated by both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared thermocamera (IRT); water vapour transmission and mechanical properties were analyzed and compared to those of uncoated leather. The results of mechanical characterization indicate that tensile strength and elongation at break are not significantly affected by this coating treatment. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.