The Interaction of Wool with Cold Urea Solutions

Abstract

A more reproducible method for determining the swelling of wool fibers is suggested. It has been shown that high concentrations of urea do not increase the swelling of wool in cold aqueous solution. The influence of the addition of small amounts of sodium metabisulfite and wetting agents on the swelling of wool in urea solutions is discussed. It has been shown that small amounts of surface protein material are removed from the wool by concentrated urea solutions. The reported presence of a amino adipic acid in the surface material has been confirmed and over-all analysis of the urea-soluble material indicates its similarity with a previously isolated cuticular sheath fraction. The implications of these findings in relation to wool processing are discussed.