Microfiber Leather Glossary: 50 Terms Buyers Must Know

Microfiber Leather Terminology

50 Microfiber Leather Terms B2B Buyers Should Understand

Microfiber leather specifications use terms from fiber technology, polyurethane processing, surface finishing, physical testing, chemical compliance and quality control. A familiar word such as abrasion, hydrolysis or colorfastness is not a complete specification unless the test method, conditions, unit and acceptance limit are also defined.

Use the definitions below when preparing RFQs, reviewing TDS documents, comparing supplier samples and discussing finished footwear, automotive interiors, upholstery, bags or gloves.

Updated: September 2026 Audience: B2B buyers & material engineers Scope: microfiber & synthetic leather

The Most Important Rule

Never approve a material from a technical term alone. "High abrasion," "hydrolysis resistant," "breathable," "flame retardant" and similar phrases need a measurable definition. Request the exact article, construction, test method, conditions, result or contractual limit and supporting evidence before bulk production.

Material & Structure Production & Surface Physical Performance Comfort & Aging QC & Procurement

Terms 1–10

Material Structure & Construction Terms

1. Microfiber Leather

A synthetic leather construction that typically combines a fine-fiber nonwoven substrate with polyurethane impregnation, coating or finishing.

Buyer check: Ask for substrate, PU system, thickness, backing and finish rather than treating all microfiber leather as one specification.

2. Sea-Island Microfiber

A fiber-forming route in which one polymer forms fine "islands" within another polymer phase that can later be removed or separated to create very fine fibers.

Buyer check: Do not infer finished-leather performance from the fiber term alone.

3. Nonwoven Substrate

A fibrous sheet formed without conventional weaving or knitting. It provides much of the internal structure of microfiber leather.

Buyer check: Substrate density, fiber type and resin impregnation can affect tear, hand and dimensional behavior.

4. PU / Polyurethane

A polymer family widely used for impregnation, coating and surface finishing in synthetic leather.

Buyer check: "PU" does not identify one fixed chemistry or durability level.

5. Impregnation

The process of introducing resin into a fibrous substrate to build internal structure, density and mechanical behavior.

Buyer check: Resin content and process route can influence flexibility, hand and aging.

6. Coating

A polymer layer applied to a substrate to form or modify the visible leather surface.

Buyer check: Ask whether the quoted construction is coated, impregnated, transfer coated or finished by another route.

7. Backing

A textile, foam or other layer attached to the back of synthetic leather to change thickness, hand, structure or conversion behavior.

Buyer check: A backing can materially change flexing, seam, vapor and lamination performance.

8. Base Cloth

The woven, knitted or nonwoven support used underneath a coating or composite leather construction.

Buyer check: Ask for base-cloth type if stretch, dimensional stability or seam performance is important.

9. Thickness

The measured distance between the material surfaces, normally specified with a nominal value and tolerance.

Buyer check: A single nominal number without tolerance and measurement method is incomplete.

10. GSM / Basis Weight

Material mass per unit area, commonly expressed in grams per square meter.

Buyer check: GSM is not interchangeable with thickness because materials can have different density.

Structure Evidence

Why Buyers Should Ask What Is Below the Surface

Two synthetic leather samples can show a similar grain while using different substrates, resin systems, coatings and backing layers. Those hidden differences can affect flexing, tear propagation, softness, seam performance and aging.

Record the supplier article or SKU
Confirm substrate and surface construction
Record nominal thickness and tolerance
Confirm usable width and backing
Keep an approved physical reference sample

Microfiber leather test specimens prepared for material evaluation

A technical comparison begins with a clearly identified specimen and construction.

Terms 11–20

Production, Surface & Finishing Terms

11. Release Paper

A textured carrier paper used in transfer coating to form the surface pattern of synthetic leather before the coated film is separated from the paper.

Buyer check: Release-paper selection can affect grain detail, gloss and surface appearance.

12. Grain

The visible texture or pattern on the material surface, ranging from smooth structures to leather-inspired embossing.

Buyer check: Approve grain against a retained sample rather than relying only on a grain name.

13. Embossing

A process that uses pressure, heat or a patterned roller or plate to create surface texture.

Buyer check: Emboss depth can affect appearance, hand and surface contact.

14. Topcoat

The outer finishing layer used to adjust gloss, touch, abrasion, stain behavior or other surface characteristics.

Buyer check: Cleaning and chemical compatibility often depend strongly on the topcoat.

15. Matte Finish

A low-gloss surface appearance created through formulation, coating or finishing.

Buyer check: Define acceptable gloss level by physical reference or measurement if appearance is critical.

16. Nap

Fine raised fibers on a suede-like surface that create directional appearance and tactile feel.

Buyer check: Check pile direction, shading and recovery after rubbing or cleaning.

17. Buffing

Controlled mechanical abrasion used to modify a surface or create a suede-like effect.

Buyer check: Buffing conditions influence nap, appearance and surface consistency.

18. Lamination

Bonding the leather material to foam, fabric, film or another layer to create a composite.

Buyer check: Evaluate the final laminate because bonding can change hand, vapor transfer and flexing.

19. Color Matching

The process of developing a production color to match an approved reference under defined viewing conditions.

Buyer check: State the light source, reference sample and acceptable color difference if controlled numerically.

20. Lot / Batch

A defined quantity of material produced or identified together for manufacturing and traceability purposes.

Buyer check: Use batch identification when reviewing color, test results, COA data and claims.

Terms 21–32

Mechanical & Physical Performance Terms

21. Tensile Strength

Resistance to being pulled apart under a defined tensile test.

Buyer check: Record method, specimen direction, width, speed and unit.

22. Elongation

The amount a specimen stretches relative to its original length under specified test conditions.

Buyer check: Determine whether the value is at break, a defined load or another endpoint.

23. Tear Strength

Resistance to propagation of a tear in a specimen with a defined geometry.

Buyer check: Different tear methods cannot be treated as directly interchangeable.

24. Peel Strength

The force required to separate bonded or layered parts of a material under a defined peel test.

Buyer check: Confirm which interface is being peeled and the specimen width and speed.

25. Abrasion Resistance

Resistance to surface wear caused by repeated rubbing or abrasive contact.

Buyer check: "High abrasion" is incomplete without method, load, abradant, cycles and failure criterion.

26. Martindale

A family of abrasion and pilling test procedures using a defined rubbing motion and test setup.

Buyer check: Martindale cycles should not be converted directly into Taber or Wyzenbeek results.

27. Taber Abrasion

A rotary abrasion test using specified abrasive wheels and load to evaluate surface wear.

Buyer check: Wheel type, load and endpoint are essential parts of the result.

28. Flex Resistance

Resistance to cracking, delamination or other damage during repeated bending.

Buyer check: State test type, temperature, cycles and failure condition.

29. Bally Flexing

A repeated-flex test commonly used to evaluate leather and synthetic upper materials.

Buyer check: Cycle counts mean little without temperature and visible failure criteria.

30. Seam Strength

Resistance of a sewn or joined construction to separation under load.

Buyer check: Needle, thread, stitch density, direction and seam allowance influence the result.

31. Dimensional Stability

Ability to maintain dimensions after exposure to defined heat, moisture or processing conditions.

Buyer check: Define exposure time, temperature and measurement direction.

32. Cold Crack

Cracking or damage that occurs when a material is flexed or deformed at low temperature.

Buyer check: Specify conditioning temperature, exposure time and flex procedure.

Taber abrasion tester used for synthetic leather surface evaluation

A test name is only the beginning; specimen, load, consumable, cycles and endpoint complete the result.

Reading Test Data

Do Not Compare Test Numbers Until the Methods Match

A higher number does not automatically mean a better material when two suppliers use different test methods or conditions. This is especially important for abrasion, flexing, tear, peel and colorfastness.

Same test method
Same specimen construction
Same conditioning
Same direction and unit
Same failure endpoint

Terms 33–42

Comfort, Surface, Aging & Compliance Terms

33. WVP / Water Vapor Permeability

A measure related to the transfer of water vapor through a material under defined conditions.

Buyer check: Different WVP or WVTR methods can use different units and conditions.

34. WVTR

Water vapor transmission rate, expressing the quantity of vapor passing through a material over area and time under a specified test.

Buyer check: Never compare WVTR values without temperature, humidity and method.

35. Air Permeability

The rate at which air passes through a material under a defined pressure difference.

Buyer check: Air permeability and water-vapor permeability are different measurements.

36. Hydrolysis

Chemical degradation involving reaction with water that can affect certain polyurethane systems over time.

Buyer check: "Hydrolysis resistant" needs an aging method, temperature, humidity, duration and endpoint.

37. Accelerated Aging

Laboratory exposure to controlled heat, humidity, light or other conditions intended to evaluate material change over a shorter period.

Buyer check: Accelerated aging is not a direct calendar-life guarantee.

38. Colorfastness

Resistance of a material color to change or transfer under a specified exposure such as rubbing, light, water or perspiration.

Buyer check: Always identify which colorfastness test is meant.

39. Crocking / Rub Fastness

Evaluation of color transfer caused by rubbing a surface under defined dry or wet conditions.

Buyer check: Dry and wet results should be kept separate.

40. Lightfastness

Resistance of color or appearance to change during controlled light exposure.

Buyer check: State light source, method, exposure and rating scale.

41. VOC

Volatile organic compounds, a broad class of substances that may be assessed by different analytical or application-specific methods.

Buyer check: "Low VOC" requires a defined method, compound scope and result.

42. REACH

The European Union chemicals regulation covering registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals.

Buyer check: A generic "REACH compliant" claim should be replaced by a clear scope, substance list, sample and supporting declaration or test evidence.

Terms 43–50

Quality Control, Documentation & Procurement Terms

43. TDS

Technical Data Sheet: a document summarizing the material identity, specifications and technical properties supplied by the manufacturer.

Buyer check: Determine which values are typical, nominal or contractual limits.

44. COA

Certificate of Analysis: a document reporting defined analytical or inspection results associated with a sample, batch or shipment.

Buyer check: A COA is not automatically the same as a generic TDS.

45. COC / Certificate of Conformity

A declaration that specified goods conform to identified requirements or specifications.

Buyer check: Confirm what specification and batch the declaration covers.

46. Third-Party Test Report

A laboratory report issued by an independent testing organization for a defined submitted sample.

Buyer check: A result for one sample does not automatically cover every color, thickness or construction.

47. Tolerance

The permitted variation around a nominal specification such as thickness, width or weight.

Buyer check: A nominal specification without tolerance is difficult to use for incoming inspection.

48. MOQ

Minimum Order Quantity: the smallest order a supplier can accept under a given material, color, finish or production setup.

Buyer check: MOQ may differ for stock materials, custom color, custom grain and special performance treatments.

49. Lead Time

The period required to complete a defined step such as sampling, production or delivery.

Buyer check: Ask whether quoted lead time starts from PO, deposit, color approval, sample approval or another event.

50. Golden Sample / Approval Sample

A retained physical sample accepted as the visual or technical reference for future production comparison.

Buyer check: Identify the sample, date, article, color and revision so both parties use the same reference.

Quality Evidence

TDS, COA and Test Reports Answer Different Questions

Buyers often receive several documents in one supplier file. Treating them as interchangeable can create approval gaps. The TDS describes the material specification, a COA or inspection record can relate to a particular batch, and a third-party report normally applies to the tested sample identified in that report.

Match every document to an article or sample
Check report and certificate dates
Record method, condition and unit
Verify certificate or declaration scope
Define which values become purchase specifications

Material strength testing used in microfiber leather quality control

Test evidence is strongest when the specimen, method, result and applicable production article can be traced together.

Common Buyer Mistakes

Five Terms That Frequently Cause Specification Errors

Term	Do Not Assume	Ask Instead
Waterproof	Every microfiber leather resists every water exposure	Which water-resistance method, pressure, duration and acceptance limit apply?
Breathable	The material will make the finished shoe, glove or seat cooler	Which WVP, WVTR or air-permeability method is being used on what construction?
High Abrasion	A cycle number from one method is equivalent to another method	Which abrasion test, load, wheel or abradant and failure endpoint?
Hydrolysis Resistant	The phrase proves a guaranteed number of service years	What accelerated-aging method, temperature, humidity, duration and post-aging criterion?
REACH Compliant	One old report proves every SKU and current regulatory scope	Which sample, substance scope, report date and market requirement does the evidence cover?

RFQ Language

Turn Technical Terms into Purchase Specifications

The same terminology becomes commercially useful only when it is tied to an application, test method and acceptance limit. A buyer asking for "good abrasion and hydrolysis" leaves the supplier to interpret the requirement. A controlled RFQ defines exactly what must be tested and accepted.

Term	Do Not Assume	Ask Instead
Thickness	1.2 mm alone is sufficient	1.2 mm nominal, with agreed tolerance and measurement method
Color	"Black" defines one repeatable shade	Approved physical master, light source and tolerance if required
Abrasion	"50,000 cycles" is self-explanatory	Method, abradant, load, cycles and acceptance endpoint
Flex	"100,000 flexes" predicts service life	Method, temperature, cycles and failure definition
Lead Time	"20 days" starts automatically after inquiry	Define the start event and whether sampling is included

Continue Your Material Research

Move from Terminology to a Defined Material Specification

Once the key terms are clear, define the finished product, component, construction, thickness, backing, surface, color, performance methods and commercial requirements. We can then review suitable material routes and identify which TDS, sample and test evidence should be checked before approval.

Microfiber Leather Microfiber Suede PU Leather PVC Leather Silicone Leather Footwear Materials Automotive Materials Upholstery Materials Glove Materials Quality Control Certificates & Test Reports All Products

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Send your application, component, target thickness and width, backing, surface, color or grain, required tests, trial quantity, annual demand, destination and project schedule.

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Buyer FAQ

Microfiber Leather Terminology Questions

What is microfiber leather made of? +

Microfiber leather typically combines a fine-fiber nonwoven substrate with polyurethane impregnation, coating or finishing. Exact fiber composition, PU chemistry, surface and backing depend on the individual material article.

What does WVP mean in synthetic leather? +

WVP refers to water vapor permeability. It describes vapor transfer under defined test conditions. Compare results only when the method, temperature, humidity, specimen and unit are compatible.

What does hydrolysis resistance mean for PU leather? +

It refers to resistance to moisture-related chemical degradation under a defined aging test. A meaningful claim states the method, temperature, humidity, duration and acceptance criterion.

What is the difference between TDS and COA? +

A TDS generally describes the technical specification or typical properties of a material. A COA normally reports defined analytical or inspection results associated with a particular sample, batch or shipment.

Are Martindale and Taber abrasion results interchangeable? +

No. They use different abrasion mechanisms, equipment and conditions. Results should be compared within the same test system and specified procedure.

Which terms should be included in a microfiber leather RFQ? +

Include material construction, thickness and tolerance, usable width, backing, color or grain, relevant physical tests, chemical requirements, approved sample, quantity, packaging, destination and required schedule.

The Microfiber Leather Glossary: 50 Terms Every B2B Buyer Must Know