PVC leather, also known as polyvinyl chloride synthetic leather or vinyl leather, is a popular artificial leather substitute for genuine leather in many industries. In daily life, we can often see it in furniture upholstery, car interiors, bags, luggage, and other fields. So what exactly is PVC leather? This article will take you to learn more about this synthetic leather material.
What is PVC leather?
PVC leather is a synthetic material that looks and feels like real leather. It is made by coating a layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) onto a textile substrate, usually polyester, cotton or a blend. It is then treated with plasticizers and stabilizers to make it flexible and durable. The structure of PVC leather usually consists of:
• Surface layer (PVC topcoat): The outermost layer is made of PVC and can be embossed, printed, matte or glossy to imitate real leather or create custom designs.
• Middle layer (foam layer): Made of PVC mixed with a foaming agent. During processing, the foaming agent creates microscopic bubbles that form a soft and flexible structure. This layer increases the softness of the material and makes it feel closer to real leather.
• Backing layer (fabric base): Made of polyester, cotton or non-woven fabric. It supports the leather structure, adds strength, and ensures flexibility and dimensional stability. Different types of fabrics are used depending on the end-use requirements.
In high-end PVC synthetic leather, a clear protective coating (such as PU topcoat) is sometimes added to improve scratch and weather resistance.
Key Features of PVC Leather
Waterproof and Easy to Clean
PVC leather has a non-porous surface that is waterproof, oil-resistant, and stain-resistant. Cleaning can be completed with a simple wipe with a damp cloth, making it suitable for homes with children, pets, or high traffic.
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Durable and Wear-Resistant
PVC leather has a multi-layer structure and reinforced backing, which has good wear resistance, tear resistance, and aging resistance. You don't have to worry about scratches, cracking, or fading after short-term use.
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Affordable
PVC leather is cheaper to produce than natural leather, so products made with PVC leather are more affordable and can meet different budget needs.
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Customizable Appearance
PVC leather is available in a variety of colors, finishes (matte, glossy, metallic), textures (smooth, grained, embossed), and thickness options. You can customize the design according to your personal needs.
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PVC Leather vs. PU Leather and Real Leather
Many people also ask about the difference between PVC leather and PU leather. While both are types of synthetic leather or faux leather, PVC leather uses a polyvinyl chloride coating, making it generally more waterproof and rigid, while PU leather uses a polyurethane coating, which is often softer, more breathable, and feels closer to real leather. Compared to genuine leather, PVC leather is more affordable, consistently uniform, easier to clean, and waterproof, but it lacks the natural breathability, unique patina, and often the premium feel of real leather.
Common Applications of PVC Leather
WINIW offers highly durable faux vegan upholstery PVC leather materials that create a leather-like look at a lower cost, making them a popular choice for sofas, chairs and headboards. The stain and splash resistance makes them suitable for residential and commercial uses, such as restaurants, lounges and offices.
PVC leather can be applied to the production of car seats, dashboards and door panels. Our PVC leather is specially treated to have flame retardant properties, which can improve the fire safety of car interiors. In addition, the waterproof performance is also very good, which is conducive to daily cleaning.
Our PVC leather surface texture is clear and natural, and it feels soft and comfortable, making it very suitable for making bags. At the same time, it maintains good structure and wear resistance, making it a practical material for daily carry items.
Our Abrasion-resistant PVC Synthetic Leather for Shoes has good chemical resistance, so it will not corrode or fade during daily wear. In addition, our PVC leather has no problems such as scratches, bubbles, wrinkles, etc., which can ensure that the quality and color of the shoes produced by manufacturers are consistent.
PVC leather can be made into footballs, basketballs, rugby balls and other ball products, providing high-quality covering materials for sports equipment manufacturers. Our PVC leather for balls has undergone strict quality inspections and is non-toxic and harmless to human health.
Conclusion
In short, PVC artificial leather (or synthetic leather/faux leather) is very popular among the public because of its appearance similar to genuine leather, smooth surface, soft feel, affordability, durability, and ease of cleaning. It is widely used in furniture, car interiors, luggage, footwear, and other living areas.
WINIW: Leading Synthetic Leather Manufacturer and Supplier
As your trusted PVC leather fabric manufacturer and supplier, WINIW has over 20 years of experience in providing high-quality PVC leather fabrics and synthetic leather materials in a variety of styles, textures, and colors. If you are interested in our durable, waterproof, and affordable PVC leather solutions, please contact us now for more details.
