Physical properties of wool keratin yarn modified with dibasic acid anhydrides

Abstract

AbstractThe structure and physical properties of wool keratin yarns modified with dibasic acid anhydrides, namely, succinic and glutaric anhydride are analysed by thermomechanical analysis (TMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and on the basis of measurements of the tensile properties. The optimum temperature for the reaction with dibasic acid anhydride can be achieved at 65°C. The weight gain of wool yarn treated with glutaric anhydride was 3% larger compared with that of the sample treated with succinic anhydride for the reaction time of 4 h. However, the acyl contents of the wool yarn treated with succinic and glutaric anhydride was the same. The moisture regain values of the wool yarn treated with glutaric anhydride were much lower by about 2% compared with those for the wool yarn treated with succinic anhydride. The original properties in mechanic of the wool yarn are not damaged even after the modification with dibasic acid anhydride. Taking into account the dyeability and thermal properties of the chemically modified wool keratin yarns, it would seem that the ester crosslinks are easily formed in keratin much more by the glutarylation than by succinylation.