Progress in Wool Research

Abstract

A PAMPHLET recently issued by the Wool Industries Research Association summarises, under the title “Scientific Research applied to the Wool Industries”, a number of the practical results of the work. These include the invention of durable sheep-marking fluids completely removable in subsequent processing and leaving no traces in the finished fabric. The investigations on the recovery of wool grease from scouring liquors have contributed largely to the development of three processes in use at Bradford and elsewhere, while those on wool scouring, for example, have made possible the actual detection and commercial control of variable alkalinity by means of indicator cloth. The discovery of the chemical changes responsible for discoloration in carbonising have enabled adequate precautions for prevention to be taken. Improved ‘ionised’ oils have been developed for the lubrication of wool. Fundamental issues underlying the woollen spinning process ‘have been elucidated, a new principle in roller drafting has been discovered for use in the spinning of dry combed rovings and a general relation developed between count, twist and strength for single worsted yarns. Causes of deterioration of spinning ability of dyed wool have been ascertained and of damage in fabrics through lead staining in weaving. Mothproofing and preservation against moulds and mildew have been important fields of work, and in these and in many other ways the application of quantitative measures has assisted in the control and efficiency of the numerous processes with which the wool industry is concerned.