Application of one-component primer to avoid the roughening of leather and increase its adhesion to polyurethane adhesive

Different amounts of a one-component polyurethane prepolymer base primer was applied to avoid roughening of a bovine tanned leather, and to improve adhesion and mechanical properties. Polyurethane prepolymer reacted with collagen fibers of the leather, creating urea moieties during curing. The penetration of the primer and cohesion of the leather were increased by increasing the amount of primer applied. Application of primer improved the thermal, rheological, mechanical and adhesion properties of the leather, and the time that the primer needed to cure increased by increasing the amount of primer. Adhesion obtained in joints produced with primed leather is higher than that obtained with roughened leather.