No abstract

This paper gives basic information pertaining to the plasma treatment of wool top considered as an industrially feasible process. The results presented here are based on experience gained over five years with the world's first prototype machine for continuous treatment of wool tops with glow discharges. The machine capacity is estimated for 40 kg/h and the top breaks during processing no longer pose a problem as the number of breaks is no more than 0. 12 breaks per 1000 m of top. Plasma treatment of wool top does not damage the fibres; the fibre/fibre friction increases but the differential frictional effect decreases. Other physical properties of wool remain unchanged with the exception of a slight decrease in the loop breaking force. The tenacity of yarns spun from plasma–treated wool top is higher by about 25% and elongation at break point is also higher compared with standard yarns. Plasma treatment considerably reduces the felting potential for any product obtained from modified wool. Good hand washability is usually achievable in a ‘plasma only’ process; an environmentally acceptable plasma/polymer process is also available.