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Macrofibrils are the main structural component of the hair cortex, and are a composite material in which trichokeratin intermediate filaments (IFs) are arranged as organised arrays embedded in a matrix composed of keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) and keratin head groups. Various architecture of macrofibrils is possible, with many having a central core around which IFs are helically arranged, an organisation most accurately described as a double-twist arrangement. In this chapter we describe the architecture of macrofibrils and then cover their formation, with most of the material focusing on the theory that the initial stages of macrofibril formation are as liquid crystals.

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As a prelude to studying drying characteristics of wool in superheated steam, wool yellowing in that medium at short exposure times at various temperatures is measured with an apparatus that reduces uncertainties in time/temperature exposure conditions. This has led to a useful database of wool yellowing characteristics at various temperatures, times, and moisture conditions, which extends the information formerly available. The data from these experiments are generally consistent with other data in the literature, given the experimental uncertainties inherent in most of the latter. The magnitudes of yellowing changes are not sufficiently great to disbar superheated steam drying of wool, even though drying will be confined to temperatures where drying rates (though still acceptably high) will be below those in air at comparable temperatures.