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Limitations in leather and the development of new technologies have made synthetic leathers of very high quality....
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Chair manufacturers have an increasing array of different types of real and synthetic leathers. This gives designers a variety of materials that can be used in different applications. Typically, recliners were covered in real leather. Real leather is durable and has some very good qualities. However, limitations in leather and the development of new technologies have made synthetic leathers of very high quality matching or exceeding those of real leather.
Real leather that is used in furniture is put through a process called toggle dried. The pieces of leather are spread out over a large frame. They are held in place by toggles. The material is then softened by milling. A series of coatings are applied to the surface to help protect it and make it more attractive.
Of course, leather is certainly not cheap. It can run upwards of $500 per hide. One of the advantages of leather is that it breathes. It has small pores allowing air to pass keeping it cool. Its main drawback is that it can be hard to clean.
A class of man-made leather is called artificial leather. This is a fabric or finish intended to substitute for real leather. Artificial leather was the first attempt at trying to replace real leather. Artificial leather may consist of a web of calico coated with boiled linseed oil. Several coats of this mixture were uniformly spread on a cotton surface until it had a glossy finish. However, artificial leather does not stand up to the demands of a massage chair using rollers.
American leather cloth or the more modern term is Pleather was the next major breakthrough. This synthetic leather is made by using PVC which is stretched very thin. It is then applied to a strong woven backing. It is very stain resistant, strong and has a wide range of textures and colors.
Designers of massage chairs and recliners now have a variety of different materials at their disposal. Some upholstery materials are preferred over others depending on the application. You can still find real leather in massage chairs, but it is not used where those recliners have heating elements. Heating elements tend to damage real leather. Real leather is not able to thermal cycle without cracking through time. Newer materials like polyurethane leather are much more durable and do not crack.
Many people look down at synthetic leathers as inferior materials. However, technology has brought some of these to equal or surpass real leather. Manufacturers now have a choice depending on the application which will provide consumers with better and more effective products. Which of these materials is best? One of the main factors is the application in which it is used. It is not always a basis of cost as to the material selected. Higher end massage chairs generally will pick the best materials to provide a more luxurious experience. Lower end massage chairs may substitute the quality of their materials in order to bring the price point lower.
It is important to understand some of the fundamental differences in the different types of leathers available. This gives you a better perspective on why certain materials were selected for a given recliner. Many people are pleasantly surprised at the softness, durability and easy cleanup of today's synthetic leathers. However, real leather will always have a place in the recliner market. Resources: http://www.dplast.co.th/index.php/erasisx-presentation/ http://ezinearticles.com/?Real-Leather-Versus-Synthetic-Leather&id=6199730
