<p>         <b>TABLE OF CONTENTS&nbsp;</b></p><p>Cover page-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------i&nbsp;</p><p>Fly page--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii&nbsp;</p><p>Title Page-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------vii&nbsp;</p><p>Declaration-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv</p><p>&nbsp;Certification---------------------------------------------------------------------------------v&nbsp;</p><p>Acknowledgement------------------------------------------------------------------------vi&nbsp;</p><p>Abstract--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------vi&nbsp;</p><p>Table of Contents------------------------------------------------------------------------viii&nbsp;</p><p>List of Figures------------------------------------------------------------------------------ix&nbsp;</p><p>List of Tables--------------------------------------------------------------------------------x&nbsp;</p><p>List of Appendices------------------------------------------------------------------------xii&nbsp;</p><p>List of Abbreviations/Symbols----------------------------------------------------------xi&nbsp;</p><p>

Chapter ONE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------1&nbsp;</p><p>1.0 INTRODUCTION---------------------------------------------------------------------1&nbsp;</p><p>1.1 The Chemistry and Development of Finished Leathers-------------------17&nbsp;</p><p>1.2 Statement of the Research Problem-------------------------------------------20&nbsp;</p><p>1.3 Research Aim and Objectives---------------------------------------------------20&nbsp;</p><p>1.3.1 Objectives--------------------------------------------------------------------------20&nbsp;</p><p>1.4 Justification---------------------------------------------------------------------------21&nbsp;</p><p>

Chapter TWO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------22&nbsp;</p><p>2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW------------------------------------------------------------22&nbsp;</p><p>

Chapter THREE

----------------------------------------------------------------------40&nbsp;</p><p>3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS---------------------------------------------------40&nbsp;</p><p>3.1 Materials------------------------------------------------------------------------------40&nbsp;</p><p>3.1.1 Experimental equipment-------------------------------------------------------40&nbsp;</p><p>3.1.2 Finishing consumables---------------------------------------------------------40&nbsp;</p><p>3.2 Methodology------------------------------------------------------------------------41&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.1 Viscosity measurement of the resin binder--------------------------------41&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.2 Melting point determination of the resin binder---------------------------41&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.3 Preparation of leather substrate---------------------------------------------41&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.4 Preparation of the finish formulations---------------------------------------42&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.5 Application of the finish formulations on the prepared leather substrate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------43&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.6 Water vapour permeability test------------------------------------------------43&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.7 Lastometer test--------------------------------------------------------------------43&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.8 Shore A (o ) hardness test-----------------------------------------------------44&nbsp;</p><p>3.2.9 Wet rub fastness test-------------------------------------------------------------44</p><p>&nbsp;

Chapter FOUR

-----------------------------------------------------------------------45&nbsp;</p><p>4.0 RESULTS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------45&nbsp;</p><p>4.1. Examination of Resin Binder---------------------------------------------------45&nbsp;</p><p>4.1.1 Viscosity and molecular weight measurement of the resin-----------45&nbsp;</p><p>4.2 Physical Testing of the Finished Leather------------------------------------48&nbsp;</p><p>4.2.1 Water vapour permeability of leather-------------------------------------48&nbsp;</p><p>4.2.2 Distension and bursting strength------------------------------------------50&nbsp;</p><p>4.2.3 Shore A (o ) hardness of finished leather and melting point of binder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------52&nbsp;</p><p>4.2.4 Wet rub fastness-----------------------------------------------------------------54&nbsp;</p><p>

Chapter FIVE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------55&nbsp;</p><p>5.0 DISCUSSION------------------------------------------------------------------------55&nbsp;</p><p>CHAPTER SIX---------------------------------------------------------------------------65&nbsp;</p><p>6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS--------------------------------65&nbsp;</p><p>6.1 Conclusion----------------------------------------------------------------------------65&nbsp;</p><p>6.2 Recommendations-----------------------------------------------------------------66&nbsp;</p><p>REFERENCES---------------------------------------------------------------------------67&nbsp;</p><p>APPENDICES---------------------------------------------------------------------------75&nbsp;</p>