Wool Properties and Uses of Wool

In previous article, Wool Fibre | Types of Wool | Processing and spinning of Wool fiber is already covered now further going to wool properties and uses of wool.

Properties of wool

Tensile strength:- Wool has a tenacity of 8.8-15.0 cN/tex (1.0-1.7 g/den) dry, and 7-14 cN/tex (0.8-1.6 g/den) wet. The tensile strength is 1190-2030 kg/cm²(17,000-29,000 lb/m²).

Elongation:- Wool has an elongation at break of 25-35 percent under standard conditions, and of 25-50 per cent when wet.

Elastic Properties:- Properties of wool fibre is that it is an usually resilient fibre. Its high elongation at break is combine with a high elastic recovery that gives a very important wool properties and increase uses of wool in a wide term. The natural crimp contribute in the overall elasticity of wool fibre.

Specific Gravity:- Wool fibre is a light weight fibre having specific gravity 1.32 .

Effect of Moisture:- Generally, wool fibre will hold 16-18 per cent of its weight of moisture. Wool absorbs moisture to a greater extent than any other fibre.

Effect of Heat:- Wool becomes weak and loses its softness when exposed to heat at the boiling water for the longer period of time. At 130°C , wool fibre decomposes and turns yellow.

Effect of Age:- Wool shows little deterioration when stored carefully.

Effect of Acids:- Wool is in general resistant to other mineral acids of all strength, even at high temperature. Nitric acid tends to cause damage by oxidation. Hot concentrated sulphuric acid attacked wool and decoposes completely.

Effect of Alkalis:- Chemical nature of wool keratin is such that it is particularly sensitive to alkali substances. Even weakly alkaline substances such as soap and soda are being use with care.

Effect of Organic Solvents:- Wool has a good resistance to dry-cleaning and other common solvents.

Insects and Micro-organisms:- Wool has a poor resistance to insects and bacterias.

PRODUCTION OF WOOL IN INDIA & TOP PRODUCER OF WOOL

Uses of Wool

• Wool use as cloth for babies because of the warm and airy properties.
• Main use of wool is in clothing such as jackets, sweaters, hats, pants, socks.
• Carpets are made from wool.
• Wool is use in paids to soak up oil following a spill.
• Across the world, wool is use as insulator to keeps building both warm and quiet.