science project

I am working on a chemsitry project for school now, and I need some help. I am a taxidermist, and I am doing the project on the tanning process. The problem is I need to find the chemical formula for any tanning solution I will be using, and how it affects the skin. The only tan I have is Krowtann because it is my favorite one, and I couldn't find any email contacts to Ozark woods to ask. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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I'd suggest you use something other than your "favorite"

Krowtann, at best, is a hybrid and for the purposes of a chemistry lab discussion, you need to find a real tanning agent and go from the pickle to the tan. Most tanning agents are from 4 to 5 pH while pickles go from 1 to 2. Tanning can be done with tannic acid from oak leaves (whereby the name)or a multitude of vegetable or hard metal ones. No some study before your teacher burns you.

Try this:

Go to the library at your area's university. Look for the old American Leather Chemist's Association journals and research for your chemical formulas. Might be helpful. The journals probably won't contain formulas for the newer synthetic type tans, but the basic formulas from the past will be there.

David Patton

Crosslinking....

Do an internet search (Google) for Hide tanning chemistry. Info is hard to find but there is some out there..

Tanning agents cause the skin proteins to cross-link thus forming a more stable material. Metals such as chrome or aluminum are examples tanning agents. Aldehydes are also tanning agents, formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde... etc...some derived from natural sources...tannin from tree bark and vegetable tans from plants...

recipe for tanning

Hi Chris,

I have a simple recipe for a tanning solution:
this is for a 45gallon drum (plastic):
25lbs of salt
15lbs Aluminum Solfate
2 cups of acid (liquid)

fill you drum 2/3 full of water, add your salt, be very careful not to breath in the Aluminum solfate or get in your eyes (please wear safety gear), stir and then add your acid and stir again. This solution needs to be stirred once a day but can be reused for months. once a month check you ph balance.