a bit more...
<H1 id=firsting =firsting>Bicast leather</H1>
<DIV id=>
<DIV dir=ltr id=mw--text lang=en =mw--ltr>
Bicast leather (also known as
bycast leather,
split leather or
PU. leather) is a split
leather with a layer of
polyurethane applied to the surface and then embossed. Bycast was originally made for the
shoe industry for glossy shoes, and recently was adopted by the
furniture industry. The resulting product has an artificially consistent texture that is easier to clean and maintain.
<H2>Production and Features</H2>
The use of terms like "leather", "genuine leather" or "100% leather" in relation to this bicast treatment is considered a misrepresentation and therefore not permitted in some countries, e.g.,
New Zealand.<SUP id=cite_ref-0 =reference>
[1]</SUP> Furniture made with bicast exhibits none of the characteristics associated with
aniline leather; it will not develop a patina or suppleness nor otherwise "improve with age". With constant use the polyurethane layer may crack and split free of its backing.<SUP id=cite_ref-1 =reference>
[2]</SUP><SUP id=cite_ref-2 =reference>
[3]</SUP>
Modern technology permits up to three or four horizontal layers being taken from a single hide. The leather used in the backing of bicast is a thin layer, remaining after other layers have been removed for traditional leather work.<SUP style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap" =Template-Fact>[
citation needed]</SUP>
Furniture manufacturers<SUP id=cite_ref-3 =reference>
[4]</SUP> say that the main benefit of bicast leather is its price. Lower grades of leather can be used during the manufacturing process, and treating with polyurethane gives a uniform shine and a long-lasting "like new" appearance. Bicast leather looks best, they say, on furniture with taut seat cushions and pillows. It can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. New bicast leather furniture can have a slight chemical smell, but this typically dissipates about a week after the piece is exposed to air