The Mechanical Properties of the Ortho- and Para-Like Components of Lincoln Wool Fibers

Abstract

The mechanical properties of Lincoln wool fibers in which the para-like portion of the wool fiber has been removed by abrasion have been compared with the properties of the same fibers unabraded. Results of tests in water at 20° C. indicate that the stress-strain curve in the yield region is considerably different in slope for an unabraded as against an abraded fiber. This result, together with other lesser mechanical differ ences, can be explained in terms of a difference of packing between the para-like and ortho-like components of a wool fiber. At pH 1 mechanical tests show a major reduction in these mechanical differences, suggesting that the packing in para-like wool components is mainly dependent on salt linkages.