BS 7451:1991

This standard BS 7451:1991 Specification for archival quality bookbinding leather is classified in these ICS categories:

• 01.140.20 Information sciences
• 59.140.30 Leather and furs

This British Standard specifies requirements for leather to be used in archival bookbinding, for which purpose the following leathers are suitable:

1. semi-alum leather, as defined in BS 2780 (term 234);
2. chrome re-tan leather, in which the leather has been first chrome tanned throughout its thickness, then tanned with vegetable tanning agents, as defined in BS 2780 (term 52) and is then further treated with basic aluminium salts.

Leathers tanned solely with vegetable tannins, or chrome re-tan leather in which the chrome tanned leather has been further tanned solely with vegetable tanning agents, are not suitable and are thereby excluded. In addition, although alum tawed bindings have been proved to have long term durability, alum tawing cannot be regarded as a true tannage and therefore such leather is not included in this specification.

NOTE The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.

Specifies the chemical and physical properties of bookbinding leather where the overall priority is long term stability when exposed to atmospheric pollutants.