What is "C-SKIN"? - A synthetic leather made with silicone resin

C-SKIN is a synthetic leather manufactured by our company that is made from polyester fiber cloth and solvent-free silicone resin. It has Weatherability and a texture not found in conventional synthetic leathers, and does not require the same maintenance as genuine leather, making it suitable for a variety of uses.
In this article, we will explain C-SKIN in detail.

What is C-SKIN?

Founded in 1963, our company has grown over the years with the technology of applying fluoroplastic to glass cloth as one of its pillars. Then, in 2004, we leveraged our existing technology to enter the automotive side curtain airbag business using silicone resin. As we accumulated technology for applying silicone resin to glass cloth such as glass fiber, in 2019 we began developing and examining "C-SKIN," a synthetic leather product made from silicone resin. Although we have now sold our airbag business, our silicone resin coating technology, which we have developed over many years and know all about the characteristics of silicone resin, is the second pillar of our technology after fluoroplastic.

C-SKIN is made of elastic polyester fiber cloth as a base material, and does not use special nonwoven fabric, so it is "synthetic leather" rather than artificial leather. Silicone resin is used on the surface, which gives it a moist and smooth feel that is unique to silicone resin. Therefore, it is a high-quality leather that is different from other synthetic leathers.

The difference between artificial leather and synthetic leather

Both "artificial leather" and "synthetic leather" are used as alternatives to natural leather (genuine leather), but surprisingly few people truly understand their respective characteristics and differences.
Here we will explain in detail the difference between "artificial leather" and "synthetic leather".

Artificial Leather

Artificial leather is a material based on fabric (special nonwoven fabric) coated with polyurethane resin (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Both the function and structure are artificially reproduced to resemble genuine leather, and the texture and feel are also similar, so it feels similar to genuine leather to the touch. Many of them have excellent air permeability, flexibility, and water resistance, and are often used for shoes, bags, and high-end furniture.

Synthetic Leather

Synthetic leather is made by using nylon or polyester fabric as the base fabric, coating it with a layer of polyurethane resin (PU) or other resin, and embossing it to resemble genuine leather. Since the base fabric is often knitted or woven, it is often not very water-resistant or durable, but it has a good fit and a better grip than artificial leather. It is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, so it is often used in clothing, car interiors, and inexpensive bags.

As such, the difference between artificial leather and synthetic leather is the base lining.

C-SKIN Characteristics

The "silicone resin" applied to the surface of C-SKIN is more Weatherability, abrasion resistant, waterｗear resistance, water repellent performance resistant, and chemical resistance resistant than polyurethane resin (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in general synthetic leather. Silicone has a sticky feel, but the surface of C-SKIN is smooth to the touch. In preparation for adoption in markets that demand these characteristics and a luxurious feel, C-SKIN has passed the combustion test for automotive interior materials (FMVSS No. 302). Another feature is that it is environmentally friendly, as it uses solvent-free silicone resin.

Weatherability

Polyurethane resin (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) deteriorate when exposed to moisture in the air, heat, ultraviolet rays, and oils from the hands, and over time the surface slowly breaks down and becomes brittle. Genuine leather also absorbs ultraviolet rays and can discolor and harden significantly, but silicone resin has high Weatherability, so C-SKIN is less affected by ultraviolet rays and is also Low temperature resistance and heat resistance. Therefore, it can be used outdoors without being affected by the natural environment.

ｗear resistance

In a thrust abrasion test, the amount of abrasion of genuine leather after three years of aging was 4.60 mg, while that of C-SKIN was only 0.25 mg, showing extremely low abrasion resistance.

water repellent performance, stain resistance

Silicone resin has low surface water repellent performance repellent, and has high stain resistance, so some stains can be removed by wiping with water. In-house testing confirmed that even if the surface of C-SKIN is soiled with permanent marker, it can be removed by applying a small amount of oily hand cream to a cloth and wiping it off. Oily creams can also cause stains on ordinary synthetic leather, so we see this as one of C-SKIN's strengths.

chemical resistance

Silicone resin is resistant to alcohol and chemicals, and C-SKIN can be used in places where other synthetic leathers cannot be used, so it is expected to be used as a covering material for operating tables, which are repeatedly disinfected and cleaned.

Main applications of C-SKIN

C-SKIN is a product that achieves a pleasant feel that other synthetic leathers do not have by applying a special treatment to the surface of silicone resin. Because it is a higher-grade synthetic leather than general-purpose leathers, it is expected to be used in the following applications.

●Furniture

Sofa, chair
[Characteristics demonstrated]

● Automobiles

Automotive trim and seats
[Characteristics demonstrated]

●Outdoor sheet

[Characteristics demonstrated]

●Other

Wallets, bags

Summary

C-SKIN is a silicone synthetic leather with different characteristics from general synthetic leather. Currently, C-SKIN only comes in two colors: black and white. Depending on demand, we are considering adding other colors and expanding the specifications of silicone synthetic leather (matte, grained, matte, etc.), and we would like to further develop our sales channels.

Once you hold it in your hand, you will realize the difference between this product and ordinary synthetic leather, so please feel free to contact us if you are considering synthetic leather.

▼C-SKINの製品詳細・規格は下記をご覧ください。
https://www.chukoh.com/products/fabric/c-skin/

<References> Non-woven fabric information March 2025 issue