The growing popularity of metal embellishments on leather products has led to a high incidence of poor quality metal items in the marketplace.Most leather goods have some form of hardware in their construction, such as buckles clasps and rings. These serve as functional items, but are also often ornate in construction to give an extra layer of decoration to the product.
The majority of hardware used is metal and is often formed from several metal types to give the required structure and surface finish. Most metals can tarnish relatively easily resulting in an unattractive appearance and, in severe cases, breakdown of the components.
Corrosion or tarnishing can occur at different stages in the life of the product.
Care needs to be taken during manufacture: when handling hardware it is important that the metal does not become scratched or damaged. Any damage to the integrity of the coatings can result in weak points where corrosion can be initiated. This may not be evident in the early stages of the damage, but once the corrosion has been initiated it is difficult to stop.
Scratches on the surface of hardware result in a type of corrosion known as crevice corrosion. Pollutants collect inside the scratch, creating a localised environment under which the rate of corrosion is increased.
Corrosion or tarnishing often occurs in transit, especially if the components are shipped from overseas. Shipping can takes many weeks, and the environmental conditions inside the container can vary considerably. Hot and humid conditions can speed the mechanism of corrosion considerably. The problem may not have been evident when the goods were packed, but by the time they reach their destination the problem has become clear.
Some types of tarnishing are easily removed from the surface of the material by cleaning. The problem with corrosion is that once it is initiated it is difficult to stop on a microscopic level and will often recur once the correct conditions prevail. It is therefore important to prevent tarnishing and corrosion occurring in the first instance.
Testing of metallic hardware can highlight any potential problems which are likely to occur during the lifetime of the product. There are several tests which BLC can conduct to examine the integrity of metallic hardware.
BLC can help with all your hardware testing and corrosion testing needs. For further details of our hardware testing services contact info@blcleathertech.com.
BLC members receive a 30% discount on all leather testing and problem solving.
