NUBUCK-LIKE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING NUBUCK-LIKE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER

Abstract

Provided is a nubuck-like artificial leather having a moist feel and nap close to those of natural leather, and superior abrasion resistance. A nubuck-like artificial leather 100 is provided with a flexible sheet 100 including a base material containing tangled fibers 10 to which a resin 20 is added. Voids 30 are formed in the flexible sheet 100, the voids 30 being surrounded by cross-sections of the fibers 10 as viewed in a cross-section parallel to a thickness direction of the flexible sheet 100, and the voids being held by the fibers 10 being bonded together by the resin 20. In a region having a unit area of the cross-section of the flexible sheet 100, a ratio (A/B) of a cross-sectional area (A) of a continuous structure 40 formed by the fibers 10 being bonded together by the resin 20 to a cross-sectional area (B) of the voids is 15/85-90/10.

Claims

1. A nubuck-like artificial leather comprising: a flexible sheet including a base material containing tangled fibers, and a resin added to the base material, wherein voids are formed in the flexible sheet, the voids being surrounded by cross-sections of the fibers as viewed in a cross-section parallel to a thickness direction of the flexible sheet, and the voids being held by the fibers being bonded together by the resin.

2. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein in a region having a unit area of the cross-section of the flexible sheet, a ratio (AB) of a cross-sectional area (A) of a continuous structure formed by the fibers being bonded together by the resin to a cross-sectional area (B) of the voids is 15/85-90/10.

3. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein the fibers have a mono-fineness of 0.1-0.7 dtex.

4. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein a ratio (a/b) of a length (a) to a diameter (b) of each of the fibers is 2-1700.

5. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein the resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resins, silicone resins, and acrylic resins.

6. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein the voids are present in a region of the flexible sheet extending from a front surface of the flexible sheet toward a back surface of the flexible sheet, the region ranging from a 0-15% region to a 0-40% region, where a position of the front surface of the flexible sheet is 0%, and a position of the back surface of the flexible sheet is 100%.

7. The nubuck-like artificial leather according to claim 1, wherein a front surface of the nubuck-like artificial leather has a surface roughness of 0.2-1.55 m.

8. A nubuck-like artificial leather production method, comprising: an impregnation step of impregnating a base material containing tangled fibers and having a weight of 150-1000 g/m.sup.2, with 15-40 wt % of a resin with respect to the weight of the base material in terms of solid content; and a drying step of drying the base material impregnated with the resin at 80-150 C. for 50-1200 sec.

9. The nubuck-like artificial leather production method according to claim 8, further comprising: a finishing step of, after the drying step, finishing the base material impregnated with the resin.

10. The nubuck-like artificial leather production method according to claim 8, wherein the drying step is carried out by dry-heat drying or moist-heat drying.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a microscopic internal structure of a nubuck-like artificial leather according to the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing steps of a method for producing the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 3 are SEM images at 1000 times magnification of a cross-section parallel to the thickness direction and the front surface of: (a) the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention; (b) a conventional artificial leather; and (c) natural leather.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Environmental awareness has in recent years gained momentum, and therefore, in the textile industry, there has been a demand for environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies. For nubuck-like artificial leather, it is expected that the dry method, in which a solvent is basically not used, will go mainstream instead of the wet method, in which a large amount of a solvent is used. With this in mind, in the present invention, attention has been paid to the dry method as a method for producing a nubuck-like artificial leather. In particular, improvements to the conventional dry method, which has a problem with a moist feel and a nap, have been extensively studied. Embodiments of a nubuck-like artificial leather according to the present invention and a production method therefor will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is in no way intended to be limited to the embodiments described below.

[0046] (Nubuck-Like Artificial Leather)

[0047] FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a microscopic internal structure of a nubuck-like artificial leather 100 according to the present invention. Note that FIG. 1 is not to scale, i.e., the shapes, sizes, positional relationship, etc., of parts shown in FIG. 1 are not the same as the actual ones. The nubuck-like artificial leather 100 includes a flexible sheet 100 that is obtained by impregnating a base material formed of fibers 10 as a base with a resin 20. Note that the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 may be commercially produced in a form in which a lining or the like is attached to the flexible sheet 100. For the sake of simplicity, the flexible sheet 100 itself without a lining or the like being attached thereto is herein regarded as the nubuck-like artificial leather 100.

[0048] The base material is a nonwoven fabric formed of a plurality of tangled fibers 10. The weight (per unit area) of the base material is adjusted to 150-1000 g/m.sup.2. If the weight (per unit area) of the base material is less than 150 g/m.sup.2, the resin 20 easily passes through the fibers 10 included in the base material. If the weight (per unit area) of the base material is more than 1000 g/m.sup.2, it is difficult to sufficiently impregnate the base material with the resin 20, i.e., the resin is less likely to be held between the fibers 10 included in the base material. A thickness L of the base material is adjusted to 0.5-3.7 mm. If the thickness L of the base material is less than 0.5 mm, a nubuck-like artificial leather as a final product is less likely to have a moist feel and a nap, i.e., is likely to have paper-like texture. If the thickness L of the base material is more than 3.7 mm, the workability of the base material as an industrial material is likely to deteriorate, leading to problems with its production, such as sewing difficulties, etc. Examples of the fibers 10 in the base material include synthetic fibers, such as polyesters, nylons, acrylic fibers, vinylons, urethanes, etc., semisynthetic fibers, such as acetates, triacetates, Promix, etc., and regenerated fibers, such as rayons, cupra, polynosic, etc. The above fibers may be used alone or in combination as commingled fibers. A material for the fibers 10 is preferably polyester, nylon, acrylic, or rayon in terms of versatility and durability, more preferably polyester, which has superior strength.

[0049] Examples of the resin 20 include polyurethane resins, silicone resins, and acrylic resins. Of these resins, polyurethane resins are preferable. Polyurethane resins are roughly organized into non-water-based polyurethane resins (solvent-based polyurethane resins) and water-based polyurethane resins. Although water-based polyurethane resins are suitably used herein because the present invention is directed to the dry method, non-water-based polyurethane resins for use in the conventional wet method may be used. Note that a method for producing the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention using the dry method is described in detail in the section Method for Producing Nubuck-like Artificial Leather below. Examples of polyurethane resins include polyether polyurethane resins, polyester polyurethane resins, polycarbonate polyurethane resins, etc. These polyurethane resins may be used alone or in combination. Of these polyurethane resins, polycarbonate polyurethane resins are preferable in terms of abrasion resistance. Polyurethane resins are organized, by how they are cured, into one-part, two-part, and wet-curable polyurethane resins, etc. Of these polyurethane resins, aqueous one-part polyurethane resins are preferable because their environmental impact and operation load are small. Examples of aqueous one-part dispersion polyurethane resins include self-emulsification and forced-emulsification polyurethane resins. Note that each of the above polyurethane resins may additionally contain various additives, such as catalysts, crosslinking agents, lubricating agents, gelation accelerating agents, fillers, waxes, light resistance improvers, foaming agents, thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, dyes, pigments, flame retardants, electrical conductivity-imparting agents, antistatic agents, moisture permeability improvers, water repellents, oil repellents, hollow foams, water absorbents, protein powders, moisture absorbents, deodorants, foam stabilizers, defoamers, antifungal agents, antiseptics, pigment dispersing agents, inert gases, antiblocking agents, hydrolysis inhibitors, matting agents, tactile feel improvers, thickeners, etc.

[0050] The amount of the resin 20 with which the base material is impregnated is adjusted to 15-40 wt %, preferably 20-30 wt %, with respect to the weight (per unit area) of the base material in terms of solid content. If the amount of the resin 20 with which the base material is impregnated is less than 15 wt %, the bonding force between the fibers 10 is insufficient, and therefore, it is difficult to form voids 30 described below, so that a nubuck-like artificial leather as a final product is less likely to have a moist feel. If the amount of the resin 20 with which the base material is impregnated is more than 40 wt %, a nap is likely to be impaired, leading to a coarse and hard artificial leather.

[0051] The nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention is configured to have a structure similar to that of natural leather, which is a porous material. Specifically, a large number of microscopic spaces surrounded by a plurality of fibers 10 bonded together by the resin 20 are formed in the flexible sheet 100 included in the nubuck-like artificial leather 100. The microscopic space is herein referred to as a void 30. In the flexible sheet 100, the fibers 10 are fixed to each other by the resin 20 at a portion where the fibers 10 intersect, and in addition, the resin 20 adheres to the surfaces of the fibers 10 to a suitable extent, and therefore, a continuous structure 40 is formed in which the fibers 10 are bonded together by the resin 20. The continuous structure 40 thus formed substantially fixes a relative positional relationship between the fibers 10 in the flexible sheet 100. As a result, the form of each void 30 surrounded by the fibers is maintained, and the voids are fixed in the flexible sheet 100.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, in the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, the voids 30, each of which is surrounded by a large number of cross-sections extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the fibers 10, are dispersed in the flexible sheet 100 to a suitable extent. Such a structure is similar to that of natural leather. As a result, a tactile feel (moist feel) and texture (nap) close to those of natural leather can be provided. In addition, in the flexible sheet 100, the fibers 10 are reinforced by the resin 20, and therefore, the strength is greater than that of the natural leather, resulting in superior abrasion resistance.

[0053] Various nubuck-like characteristics, such as moist feel, nap, abrasion resistance, etc., that are imparted to the artificial leather, are affected by a state of the presence of the continuous structure 40 and the voids 30 in the flexible sheet 100, specifically, the amount of space in the flexible sheet 100 that is occupied by the continuous structure 40 (also referred to as the occupancy rate of the continuous structure 40 or the continuous structure occupancy rate). Here, the nubuck-like characteristics can be provided by adjusting a ratio A/B within a suitable range, where, in a region having a unit area of an image of a cross-section of the flexible sheet 100 captured by an electronic microscope, A represents the cross-sectional area of the continuous structure 40, and B represents the cross-sectional area of the voids 30. Note that A (%) corresponds to the occupancy rate of the continuous structure 40 in the nubuck-like artificial leather 100. In the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, the ratio A/B is adjusted to 15/85-90/10, preferably 20/80-80/20. The ratio A/B can be changed by adjusting the amount of the resin 20 with which the fibers 10 (base material) are impregnated. In the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention having a ratio A/B within the above range, the continuous structure 40 improves the abrasion resistance of the flexible sheet 100, and the voids 30 impart, to the flexible sheet 100, a moist feel and nap comparable to those of natural leather. If the ratio A/B is less than 15/85, the relative proportion of the continuous structure 40 in the flexible sheet 100 is small, and voids are excessive, and therefore, the strength of the flexible sheet 100 is reduced, and the flexible sheet 100 easily wears. If the ratio A/B is more than 90/10, the relative proportion of the continuous structure 40 in the flexible sheet 100 is large, and voids are insufficient, and therefore, the elasticity of the flexible sheet 100 is lost, and it is difficult to impart a sufficient moist feel and nap.

[0054] In the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, it is not essential that the voids 30 are distributed throughout the flexible sheet 100. The voids 30 may only need to be present from the front surface of the flexible sheet 100 up to a suitable depth. As shown in FIG. 1, assuming that the position of the front surface of the flexible sheet 100 is 0%, and the position of the back surface is 100%, a region d where the voids 30 are present may extend from the front surface toward the back surface of the flexible sheet 100, the region d ranging from a 0-15% region to a 0-40% region, preferably from a 0-20% region to a 0-35% region. In this case, the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 has a moist feel and nap similar to those of natural leather, and at the same time, can maintain good abrasion resistance. If the region where the voids 30 are present extends from the front surface (0%) to less than 15% of the flexible sheet 100, voids are insufficient, and therefore, the elasticity is lost, and it is difficult to impart a sufficient moist feel and nap. If the region where the voids 30 are present is extends from the front surface (0%) to more than 40% of the flexible sheet 100, voids are excessive, and therefore, the strength of the flexible sheet 100 is reduced, and the flexible sheet 100 easily wears.

[0055] In the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, to suitably select or adjust a size of the fibers 10 is effective in providing a well-balanced combination of a moist feel and nap, and abrasion resistance. The thickness of the fibers 10 that is measured as a mono-fineness is 0.1-0.7 dtex, preferably 0.1-0.5 dtex. If the mono-fineness is less than 0.1 dtex, it is difficult to ensure sufficient abrasion resistance. If the mono-fineness is more than 0.7 dtex, it is difficult to provide a moist feel and a nap. A ratio a/b (so-called aspect ratio) of a length (a) to a diameter (b) of each of the fibers 10 that are measured when a cross-section parallel to the thickness direction of the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 is observed using a microscope is adjusted to 2-1700, preferably 5-1700, and more preferably 8-1700. If the ratio a/b is less than 2, the fibers 10 have an excessively short fiber length, and therefore, it is difficult to form a sufficient number of portions where the fibers 10 intersect, so that the strength of the flexible sheet 100 is reduced, and the flexible sheet 100 easily wears. In addition, the nonwoven fabric has an insufficient thickness, and it is difficult to form voids. If the ratio a/b is more than 1700, the fibers 10 has an excessively long fiber length, and therefore, portions where the fibers 10 intersect are not uniformly distributed, so that the artificial leather is likely to have non-uniform color and physical properties. Note that, as long as the fibers 10 used satisfy the above conditions, the fibers 10 may be commingled fibers including fibers having different sizes.

[0056] The nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention thus configured has a porous structure in which the voids 30 are formed and stacked over top of each other in a cross-sectional view taken parallel to the thickness direction. The porous structure is similar to that of natural leather, which is a porous material. Therefore, according to the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, a moist feel and nap close to those of natural leather can be provided. Furthermore, in the nubuck-like artificial leather 100 of the present invention, the fibers 10 included in the flexible sheet 100 are reinforced by the resin 20, and therefore, abrasion resistance superior to that of natural leather can be provided.

[0057] (Method for Producing Nubuck-Like Artificial Leather)

[0058] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing steps of a method for producing the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention. A symbol S added to each block means a step. The nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention is produced by carrying out a fleece formation step (S1), a fiber bonding step (S2), an impregnation step (S3), a drying step (S4), and a finishing step (S5) described below. Of these steps, the impregnation step (S3) and the drying step (S4) are a characteristic feature of the present invention. By carrying out the two steps, a moist feel and nap close to those of natural leather can be provided, and an artificial leather product having superior abrasion resistance can be obtained. In addition, by carrying out the finishing step (S5), the moist feel and nap of the nubuck-like artificial leather as a final product can be further improved. The steps will now be described.

[0059] Initially, a base material (nonwoven fabric) that is a base for the nubuck-like artificial leather is prepared. The base material is produced by the fleece formation step (S1) of forming a layer including a set of fibers, which is called fleece (may also be called a web), and the fiber bonding step (S2) of bonding the fibers together using a binder. The fleece formation step is carried out by a technique, such as drylaying, wetlaying, spunbonding, etc. The fiber bonding step is carried out by a technique, such as chemical bonding, needle punching, spunlacing, stitch bonding, steam jet, etc. When the fleece formation step (S1) and the fiber bonding step (S2) are carried out, the amount of the fibers and a condition for bonding the fibers are adjusted so that the weight (per unit area) of the base material is 150-1000 g/m.sup.2.

[0060] Next, the impregnation step (S3) of impregnating the base material with a resin is carried out. The impregnation step is carried out by a mangle-pad technique of immersing a base material in a resin solution containing a resin, and squeezing the base material through a mangle, a coating technique of applying a resin solution to a base material using a spray coater, a gravure coater, a reverse coater, a doctor-knife coater, etc. Of these techniques, the mangle-pad technique is preferable because a base material can be uniformly impregnated with a resin. A condition for impregnation with the resin is adjusted so that 30-300 g/m.sup.2 of the resin is added to the base material having a weight (per unit area) of 150-1000 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. As a result, the resin adheres to portions where the fibers intersect. In addition, the resin adheres to the surfaces of the fibers to a suitable extent. The amount of the resin added to the base material is adjusted to 15-40 wt %, preferably 20-30 wt %, in terms of solid resin content.

[0061] Next, the drying step (S4) of drying the base material impregnated with the resin is carried out. The drying step is carried out by a technique, such as dry-heat drying using a pintenter, a loop dryer, a net dryer, an oven, etc., moist-heat drying using a high-temperature steamer, a high-pressure steamer, etc., drying using infrared, drying using microwaves, etc. Of these techniques, dry-heat drying and moist-heat drying are preferable because the resin can be reliably solidified in every part including inner parts of the base material. The base material dried by dry-heat drying or moist-heat drying can be processed into an artificial leather product having superior strength and abrasion resistance. As a condition for drying of the base material, the drying temperature is adjusted to 80-150 C., preferably 100-130 C. If the drying temperature is less than 80 C., the resin is insufficiently dried (cured), and therefore, the resin migrates and has difficulty in adhering to a predetermined position of the fiber. If the drying temperature is more than 150 C., the moist feel of a nubuck-like artificial leather as a final product is reduced, and the nap is likely to be coarse and hard. The drying time is adjusted to 50-1200 sec, preferably 100-600 sec. If the drying time is less than 50 sec, the resin is insufficiently dried (cured), and therefore, the resin migrates and has difficulty in adhering to a predetermined position of the fiber. If the drying time is more than 1200 sec, the moist feel of a nubuck-like artificial leather as a final product is reduced, and the nap is likely to be coarse and hard. After completion of the drying step, the fibers in the base material are bonded by the resin and are thereby hardened, and therefore, the base material can be directly used as a flexible sheet for a nubuck-like artificial leather. In the flexible sheet, formed are a large number of voids surrounded by the fibers. In other words, in the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention, voids are distributed in the flexible sheet to a suitable extent, and therefore, a structure similar to that of natural leather is formed.

[0062] Finally, the finishing step (S5) of finishing the flexible sheet is carried out. The finishing step is any suitable step that is carried out if necessary, including a raising process of raising the front surface of the flexible sheet. By carrying out the finishing step, the front surface of the finished nubuck-like artificial leather has a suitable friction coefficient (MIU) and surface roughness (SMD), and therefore, a moist feel and nap closer to those of natural leather can be provided. The friction coefficient of the front surface of the nubuck-like artificial leather is preferably 0.15-0.35, more preferably 0.20-0.30. If the friction coefficient is less than 0.15, the abrasion resistance is likely to be insufficient. If the friction coefficient is more than 0.35, the moist feel is likely to be insufficient. The surface roughness of the front surface of the nubuck-like artificial leather is preferably 0.2-1.55 m, more preferably 0.2-1.4 m, and even more preferably 0.3-1.2 m. If the surface roughness of the front surface is less than 0.2 m, the nubuck-like nap is likely to be insufficient. If the surface roughness of the front surface is more than 1.55 m, smoothness peculiar to artificial leather is likely to be impaired.

[0063] In the raising process for the flexible sheet, for example, a roller around which card clothing or sandpaper (emery) is wrapped (a card clothing raising machine, an emery raising machine, etc.) can be used. The raising process using a roller is performed by bringing the flexible sheet into contact with the surface of the roller while moving the flexible sheet in the roller rotating direction (the longitudinal direction of the flexible sheet). In this case, the raised state of the flexible sheet can be adjusted by changing conditions, such as the type of card clothing or sandpaper, the rotational speed of the roller, the contact pressure of the flexible sheet on the roller, the frequency of contact of the flexible sheet with the roller, etc.

EXAMPLES

[0064] Examples of the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention will now be described. In these examples, nubuck-like artificial leathers having a characteristic feature of the present invention were produced. As comparative examples, artificial leathers that do not have any characteristic feature of the present invention were produced. The nubuck-like artificial leathers according to Examples 1-5 and the artificial leathers according to Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were produced by the following procedures.

Example 1

[0065] A nonwoven fabric (3071A, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Fibers Corporation) that includes a mixture of first polyester fibers (mono-fineness: 0.10 dtex) and second polyester fibers (mono-fineness: 0.15 dtex) at a weight ratio of 50:50, and has a weight (per unit area) of 269.6 g/m.sup.2 and a thickness of 0.75 mm, was used. The nonwoven fabric was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique. The polyurethane resin liquid contained 25 wt % of a water-based polyurethane resin (SAD82 (solid content: 40 wt %), forced-emulsification type, manufactured by DKS Co. Ltd.), and 75 wt % of water. After the impregnation of the nonwoven fabric with the polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique, the nonwoven fabric was subjected to dry-heat drying (thermal treatment) using a pintenter at 130 C. for 150 sec. Thus, a flexible sheet including the nonwoven fabric to which a polyurethane resin was added was formed. The amount of the polyurethane resin added to this flexible sheet was 62 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. Thereafter, the front surface of the flexible sheet was further subjected to a buffing process. Thus, the production of the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 1 was completed.

Example 2

[0066] A nonwoven fabric (3007B, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Fibers Corporation) that includes a mixture of first polyester fibers (mono-fineness: 0.15 dtex) and second polyester fibers (mono-fineness: 0.30 dtex) at a weight ratio of 50:50, and has a weight (per unit area) of 273.1 g/m.sup.2 and a thickness of 0.75 mm, was used. The nonwoven fabric was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique. The polyurethane resin liquid was the same as that which was used in Example 1. After the impregnation of the nonwoven fabric with the polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique, the nonwoven fabric was subjected to dry-heat drying (thermal treatment) using a pintenter at 130 C. for 150 sec. Thus, a flexible sheet including the nonwoven fabric to which a polyurethane resin was added was formed. The amount of the polyurethane resin added to this flexible sheet was 50 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. Thereafter, the front surface of the flexible sheet was further subjected to a buffing process. Thus, the production of the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 2 was completed.

Example 3

[0067] A nonwoven fabric (3007B, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Fibers Corporation) that includes polyester fibers (mono-fineness: 0.50 dtex), and has a weight (per unit area) of 273.1 g/m.sup.2 and a thickness of 0.75 mm, was used. The nonwoven fabric was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique. The polyurethane resin liquid was the same as that which was used in Example 1. After the impregnation of the nonwoven fabric with the polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique, the nonwoven fabric was subjected to dry-heat drying (thermal treatment) using a pintenter at 130 C. for 150 sec. Thus, a flexible sheet including the nonwoven fabric to which a polyurethane resin was added was formed. The amount of the polyurethane resin added to this flexible sheet was 22 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. Thereafter, the front surface of the flexible sheet was further subjected to a buffing process. Thus, the production of the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 3 was completed.

Example 4

[0068] A nonwoven fabric that is the same as that used in Example 3 (mono-fineness: 0.50 dtex, weight (per unit area): 273.1 g/m.sup.2, and thickness: 0.75 mm) was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid by a mangle-pad technique. The polyurethane resin liquid contained wt % of a water-based polyurethane resin (SAD82 (solid content: 40 wt %), forced-emulsification type, manufactured by DKS Co. Ltd.), 14 wt % of a dry-heat gelling agent (10-wt % aqueous ammonium acetate solution), and 61 wt % of water. After the impregnation of the nonwoven fabric with the polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique, the nonwoven fabric was subjected to moist-heat drying (thermal treatment) using high-pressure steam at 130 C. for 600 sec. This set of impregnation with the polyurethane resin liquid and moist-heat drying (thermal treatment) was performed a total of two times. Thus, a flexible sheet including the nonwoven fabric to which a polyurethane resin was added was formed. The amount of the polyurethane resin added to this flexible sheet was 43 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. Thereafter, the front surface of the flexible sheet was further subjected to a buffing process. Thus, the production of the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 4 was completed.

Example 5

[0069] A nonwoven fabric that is the same as that used in Example 1 (a mixture of fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.10 dtex and fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.15 dtex at a weight ratio 50:50, weight (per unit area): 269.6 g/m.sup.2, and thickness: 0.75 mm) was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. Thereafter, the nonwoven fabric was impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid by a mangle-pad technique. The polyurethane resin liquid contained 50 wt % of a water-based polyurethane resin (SAD82 (solid content: 40 wt %), forced-emulsification type, manufactured by DKS Co. Ltd.), 27.5 wt % of a dry-heat gelling agent (10-wt % aqueous ammonium acetate solution), and 22.5 wt % of water. After the impregnation of the nonwoven fabric with the polyurethane resin liquid using a mangle-pad technique, the nonwoven fabric was subjected to moist-heat drying (thermal treatment) using high-pressure steam at 130 C. for 600 sec. This set of impregnation with the polyurethane resin liquid and moist-heat drying (thermal treatment) was performed a total of two times. Thus, a flexible sheet including the nonwoven fabric to which a polyurethane resin was added was formed. The amount of the polyurethane resin added to this flexible sheet was 72 g/m.sup.2 in terms of solid content. Thereafter, the front surface of the flexible sheet was further subjected to a buffing process. Thus, the production of the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 5 was completed.

Comparative Example 1

[0070] A nonwoven fabric that is the same as that used in Example 1 (a mixture of fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.10 dtex and fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.15 dtex at a weight ratio 50:50, weight (per unit area): 269.6 g/m.sup.2, and thickness: 0.75 mm) was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. The resulting artificial leather was Comparative Example 1. In other words, the artificial leather of Comparative Example 1 is the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 1 in which the nonwoven fabric is not impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid.

Comparative Example 2

[0071] A nonwoven fabric that is the same as that used in Example 2 (a mixture of fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.15 dtex and fibers having a mono-fineness of 0.30 dtex at a weight ratio 50:50, weight (per unit area): 273.1 g/m.sup.2, and thickness: 0.75 mm) was dyed using a disperse dye. Thereafter, the front surface of the nonwoven fabric was subjected to a buffing process. The resulting artificial leather was Comparative Example 2. In other words, the artificial leather of Comparative Example 2 is the nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 2 in which the nonwoven fabric is not impregnated with a polyurethane resin liquid.

Reference Example 1

[0072] Natural leather (real leather nubuck) was prepared as Reference Example 1 in order to compare it with the nubuck-like artificial leathers of Examples 1-5 and the artificial leathers of Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

[0073] Next, various characteristics of each of the above leathers were checked by various measurements and evaluations. Based on the results, relationships between the structures and the characteristics of the leathers were studied. The characteristics that were measured and evaluated are the following.

[0074] [Occupancy Rate of Continuous Structures, Voids, or Fibers]

[0075] Images of cross-sections parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction) of each leather were captured using a scanning electron microscope (S-3000N, manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) at 1000 times magnification. The sum of the areas of continuous structures, voids, or fibers contained in an SEM image was calculated by image analysis. The proportion of the sum of the areas of continuous structures, voids, or fibers to the area of the entire SEM image, which is 100, is referred to as the occupancy rate (%) of continuous structures, voids, or fibers included in each leather. The calculation of the occupancy rate of continuous structures, voids, or fibers was performed for two cross-sections parallel to the X direction and two cross-sections parallel to the Y direction of each leather (a total of four cross-sections), and the occupancy rate was defined as the average thereof. FIG. 3 shows SEM images at 1000 times magnification of a cross-section parallel to the thickness direction (a region where voids are formed) and the front surface of: (a) the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention (corresponding to Example 1); (b) a conventional artificial leather (corresponding to Comparative Example 1); and (c) natural leather (corresponding to Reference Example 1).

[0076] [Region where Voids are Formed]

[0077] An image of a cross-section parallel to the thickness direction of each leather, extending from the front surface to the back surface, was captured using a scanning electron microscope at 1000 times magnification. A region where voids were formed was identified from the SEM image. The calculation of the region where voids were formed was performed for two cross-sections parallel to the X direction and two cross-sections parallel to the Y direction of each leather (a total of four cross-sections), and the region was defined as the average thereof.

[0078] [Aspect Ratio]

[0079] Images of cross-sections parallel to the longitudinal direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction) of each leather were captured using a microscope (VHX-200, manufactured by Keyence Corporation) at 500 times magnification. An aspect ratio (a/b) of a length (a) and a diameter (b) of a fiber included in each leather was calculated. The calculation of the aspect ratio was performed for two cross-sections parallel to the X direction and two cross-sections parallel to the Y direction of each leather (a total of four cross-sections), and the aspect ratio was defined as the average thereof.

[0080] [Friction Coefficient and Surface Roughness]

[0081] A friction coefficient (MIU) and a surface roughness (SMD) in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the front surface of each leather were measured using an automated surface tester (KES-FB4-AUTO-A, manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd.). The measurement of the friction coefficient and the surface roughness was performed at three points of each leather, and the friction coefficient and the surface roughness were defined as the respective averages thereof.

[0082] [Tactile Feel]

[0083] The tactile feel of each artificial leather was evaluated by sensory testing according to the following criteria, in which each artificial leather was compared with the natural leather of Reference Example 1.

[0084] 5: A soft texture and moist feel equivalent to those of natural leather are recognized

[0085] 4: A soft texture equivalent to that of natural leather, and a slightly inferior moist feel, are recognized

[0086] 3: A texture slightly coarser and harder than natural leather, and a slightly inferior moist feel, are recognized

[0087] 2: A texture slightly coarser and harder than natural leather is recognized, and no moist feel is recognized

[0088] 1: A texture coarser and harder than natural leather is recognized, and no moist feel is recognized

[0089] [Appearance]

[0090] The appearance of each artificial leather was evaluated by sensory testing according to the following criteria, in which each artificial leather was compared with the natural leather of Reference Example 1.

[0091] 5: Soft fine fibers and minute pits and bumps similar to those of natural leather are recognized

[0092] 4: Soft fine fibers similar to those of natural leather are recognized, and no minute pits and bumps are recognized

[0093] 3: Fibers are recognized, and the fibers appear coarse

[0094] 2: Long or very short fibers lying flat are recognized

[0095] 1: A nap totally different from that of natural leather is recognized

[0096] [Abrasion Resistance]

[0097] A sample extending in the longitudinal direction (X direction) by 300 mm and in the width direction (Y direction) by 70 mm was extracted from each leather. A urethane foam having a length of 300 mm, a width of 70 mm, and a thickness of 10 mm, was attached to the back surface of the sample. An abrasion test was conducted on the resulting samples. In the abrasion test, a plane abrasion tester (T-type, manufactured by Daiei Kagaku Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.) was used. Each sample was pressed against a rubbing finger covered with cotton canvas with a load of 9.8 N. In this situation, the sample was abraded by the rubbing finger being moved back and forth across a 140-mm section in the longitudinal direction of the front surface of the sample at a speed of 60 round-trips per minute. Each time the number of round-trips of the rubbing finger reached 2500, the cotton canvas was replaced. A total of 10,000 round-trips were made to abrade the sample. After the end of the abrasion test, a condition of the sample was visually checked. The abrasion resistance of each leather was evaluated according to the following criteria.

[0098] Circle: The condition of the front surface remain unchanged

[0099] Triangle: It is recognized that the fibers partially come off the front surface

[0100] Cross: Most of the fibers on the front surface come off

[0101] The results of the measurement and evaluation are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparative Comparative Reference Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 Example 1 Example 2 Example 1 Occupancy rate of 71.5 56.2 46.4 54.3 59.9 continuous structure (%) Occupancy rate of 28.5 43.8 53.6 45.7 40.1 voids (%) Occupancy rate of fibers 31.4 35.8 38.0 38.0 31.9 31.4 35.8 (%) Void-containing region (%) 26.4 32.3 19.9 25.4 32.4 Aspect ratio (a/b) 30.9 17.2 13.3 13.3 30.9 30.9 17.2 Friction coefficient 0.260 0.303 0.320 0.290 0.272 0.327 0.335 0.228 Surface roughness (m) 0.570 0.710 1.544 0.833 0.555 2.238 1.697 0.335 Tactile feel 4~5 4 3 3~4 4~5 2 2 5 Appearance 4~5 4 3 3~4 4~5 2~3 2 5 Abrasion resistance

[0102] The nubuck-like artificial leathers of Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5 had a friction coefficient and surface roughness close to those of the natural leather of Reference Example 1. As a result, their tactile feel and appearance were rated high, and their abrasion resistance was also good. The nubuck-like artificial leather of Example 3 had a slightly great surface roughness, but its tactile feel and texture were not such that a practical problem may arise, and its abrasion resistance was good. In contrast to this, the artificial leathers of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 had a friction coefficient and surface roughness much greater than those of the natural leather of Reference Example 1. Their abrasion resistance was good because they were artificial leather, but their tactile feel and appearance were rated low.

[0103] The SEM images of FIG. 3 demonstrate that the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention has a structure similar to that of natural leather. It is considered that such a structure is attributed to a moist feel and nap close to those of natural leather. In addition, the fibers included in the flexible sheet are reinforced by the resin. Therefore, the nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention has a strength greater than that of natural leather, and therefore, has superior abrasion resistance.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0104] The nubuck-like artificial leather of the present invention, and the method for producing the nubuck-like artificial leather, are applicable to various leather products, such as automotive seats, aircraft seats, watercraft seats, sofas, furniture, bags, shoes, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0105] 10 FIBER [0106] 20 RESIN [0107] 30 VOID [0108] 40 CONTINUOUS STRUCTURE [0109] 100 NUBUCK-LIKE ARTIFICIAL LEATHER [0110] 100 FLEXIBLE SHEET