Liming is a process used for parchment or leather processing, in which hides are soaked in an alkali solution. It is performed using a drum and paddle or a pit. Its objectives are:[1]
- Removal of interfibrillary proteins.
- Removal of keratin proteins.
- Collagen swelling due to the alkaline pH.
- Collagen fibre bundle splitting.
- Removal of natural grease and fats[2]
Liming operations of cattle hides usually last 18 hours and are generally associated with the alkaline phase of beamhouse operations.[citation needed]
- ^ Sharphouse, J.H. Leather Technician's Handbook. Leather Producer's Association. p. 104. ISBN 0-9502285-1-6.
- ^ S.S. Dutta, An Introduction to the Principles of Leather Manufacture, p. 160