40—THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SET WOOL FIBRES AND THE STRUCTURE OF KERATIN

Abstract

Measurements were made of the load-extension curve in water at 20°C for wool fibres, which had been held strained at a range of extensions and times in boiling water, and released in water at various temperatures for one hour. The load–extension curves obtained showed considerable modification of the initial portion when compared with the curves for untreated fibres. The amount of modification depended on (a) the setting strain, (b) the time for which the fibre was held at the setting strain, and (c) the temperature at which the fibre was released after setting. The modification of the mechanical properties of the wool fibre produced by the setting process can be explained in terms of a series zone model, which has already been proposed to explain other physical properties of keratin fibres.