WOOL FIBER

Wool is the natural highly crimped textile fiber obtained from a variety of sheep. Wool is possibly the oldest fiber known to humans. It was the first fibers to be spun into yarn and into fabric. For thousands of year, wool has been used for clothing and other purpose by different tribes and nations around the world. The sheep's fleece is removed once a year by power-operated clippers. Wool is composed of very complicated protein known as keratin along with many active side groups. Wool producing countries are Australia, China, Former USSR, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, Turkey, Great Britain, And Pakistan.

Topography of wool

The interior of the wool fiber, called the cortex, is made up of long tapering cells that overlap and are surrounded by the cuticle cells membrane complex (CMC). The CMC runs throughout the fiber and is made up of proteins and waxy lipids. the cuticle cells provide a tough exterior, protecting the fiber from damage.

The scales on the fiber surfaces are capable of  hooking onto one another to cause felting, under the influence of water, heat, and mechanical action. The chemical composition of the cells of the ortho and paracortex is different, i.e. the paracortex contains more cystine groups that cross-link the chain molecules and is therefore more stable. It is this difference between the ortho and paracortex that brings about the spiral form of the fibre. In addition, these two parts react differently to changes in the environment, which leads to the spontaneous curling and twisting of wool. This is the bilateral structure of wool, which causes the fibers to be crimped and natural waviness, which are distinct sharp and clear.