Wool

Abstract

Wool, the fibrous coating from sheep, is the most important animal fiber used by the textile industry. It has been used continuously for several thousand years, the earliest type of fabric made from wool probably being a felt. Although the relative importance of wool as a textile fiber has declined with the increasing use of synthetic fibers, it remains important in some sectors of the market. This article discusses raw wool specification, fiber growth, its complex morphological and chemical structure, and the physical properties that make wool unique among textile fibers. Also discussed are the processing steps used to transform raw wool into consumer products, namely, scouring, carbonizing, carding, spinning, setting, dyeing, bleaching, printing, and treatments to reduce felting shrinkage, insect damage, and flammability. A new textile fiber made from wool (Optim, CSIRO) is also described.