section4

Animal hair
(wool)
1. Introduction
• Animal fibers are one form of natural fibers.

• These fibers particularly consist of large

proteins.

• These consists of silk, hair/fur (wool) and

feathers as well.

• The animal fibers are largely used by hand

spinners as well as manufacturers.

• all the animal fibers do not have same

properties.
2. Classification of wool fiber:
• There are various factors that affect the quality
of wool fibers such as the breeding
circumstances, weather and climate, food and
care etc.

• For instance, Natural grease is dried by

excessive moist likewise, harder and heavier
fibers are produced by cold weather
conditions.

• The wool fiber is classified in two following

ways,
 Classification of wool by sheep :
The wool fiber is categorized on the base of sheep from which it is obtained as
mentioned in following:
o Merino wool:
• The best quality wool is considered of merino sheep,
these sheep are grown in Spain

• The characteristics of these fibers are as follows:

A. These wool fibers are more elastic, strong and fine

texture.
B. The range of these fibers is between 1 to 5 inches
(25-125mm).
 Classification of wool by fleece :
• The procedure through which woolen fleece is removed from a
sheep is called “shearing”.

• The spring season is considered best usually to shear fleece, but the time of
shearing is different in various regions of the word.

• Before shearing, sheep are not washed.

3.Growth and structure of wool fibers:
The structure of wool fiber can be investigated in two ways:

I. Macro-structure of wool.
II. Micro-structure of wool.
 I. Macro-structure of wool:

• The wool fiber has certain

properties like fizziness, thin to
thick and regular fleece.

• The harsh wool fleece has 4

crimps/10 centimeters , while fine
and smooth wool has 10
crimps/centimeter.
II. Micro-structure of wool:

• In microscope, length wise the structure of wool is like cells are

overlapping on surface.

• These overlapped cells on the surface are called epithelial and usually
it’s also called scales which indicate the top or outer layer of the fiber.
4. Properties of wool fibers:
• Wool fibers are extremely complex and possess different properties. These properties
are subdivided into three groups which are given below:

Structure properties:
• Wool have specific structure which vary
from specie to specie.
• This structure cause variation of
properties of these fibers from each
other.
• These fibers are highly cross linked
keratin proteins.
 5. Applications:
• Wools fibers have lustre from higher to moderate level .

• the fabrics made from these wool fibers after subsequent processes
have soft to moderate feel or hand along with good drapability.

• The wool fiber have good stretch and recovery properties which
compensate its lower to moderate strength.

• Wool fibers dyes easily and these fibers show good colour fastness.

• Wool fibers cannot be laundered due to the felting action with hot water
along with the agitation.
• Wool fibers have extensive applications in textile field where ever comfort is required jointly
with aesthetics.

• In apparel, it is being used for men as well as women dresses including outer wear and
specifically for winter clothing.