Surface Modification of Cellulose Acetate with Cutinase and ...

1. Properties of Wool
Enzymatic Modification of Wool Surface - Introduction
Wool is one of the oldest textile fibres known with unique natural properties like being
easy to processe into yarn and as a consequence, the panoply of products into which it
can be converted determines its commercial value as a textile fibre. Because it absorbs
moisture vapour, wool clothing provides superior comfort in both hot and cold weather;
it has excellent natural flame-resistance properties; good resilience, which makes it
comfortable to wear by fitting the shape of the body; high static and dirty resistance; it
can be easily dyed, and the range of colours is limitless. Wool is also a very good
insulator against noise, by absorbing sound and reducing noise level considerably.
Despite all the remarkable properties of wool, its laundry and durability performance
are inferior to synthetic fibres which are the main causes of the research done in the
wool industry.
2. The Morphological Structure of Wool
Sheep wool is the most important commercial fibre obtained from animal sources,
(Rippon, 1992). Wool is produced in the fibre follicle in the skin of the sheep and the
physical properties such as diameter, length and crimp, as well as, chemical
composition can deeply vary depending of:
- Parts of the body of the sheep;
- Strains of the sheep within a breed;
- Age of the sheep;
- The diet and health of the sheep;
- Breeds;
- Environments (the climate, terrain, pasture, etc);
- Farming properties;
- Shearing regimes (timing, frequency, preparation procedures);
- Geographic regions;
- Seasons of the year (Pailthorpe, 1992).
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