What is Artificial leather?
[[File:EN57 siedzenia skaj.JPG|thumb|Artificial leather used for the seats in a [[train]].]] '''Artificial leather''' is a substance used as a replacement for real [[leather]]. It is used where the properties or the look of real leather are desired, but real leather is too expensive, unsuitable, or not feasible for [[Ethics|ethical]] reasons. Compared with real leather, artificial leathers are much cheaper to produce. Water resistance is another advantage of many artificial leathers. They are often used for [[upholstery]] and [[fashion]] and other purposes. == What it is made of == [[File:Synthetic PU leather HC1.jpg|thumb|292x292px|Steps to make synthetic PU leather: 1 = [[cotton]] fabric, 2 = coagulation (wet process) onto fabric with aromatic polyurethane in DMF, 3 + 4 = transfer of coating + finish with solventborne polyurethane formulation.]] Usually, there are two components: A kind of [[textile]], and some kind of [[plastic]] (such as [[PVC]]). Real leather is produced from the [[skin]] of [[Animal|animals]]. == Problems == Artificial leather might look like it is better for the [[environment]], since no animals need to be killed to make it. The problem with artificial leather is different: When the item of clothing is no longer used, it is thrown away. Many plastics take a long time to decay. That way, the plastic part may get into the [[sea]], where animals such as [[bird]]s and [[fish]] eat it. The [[Chemical substance|chemicals]] used to make artificial leather are [[Poison|toxic]], and can lead to [[pollution]]. [[Category:Synthetic materials]]