Set in Bending of Australian Cashmere and Superfine Merino

Abstract

Cashmere and superfine merino fibers of similar diameter but markedly different crimp curvature were wound onto mandrels and set in boiling distilled water for varying times. Regardless of fiber type, the one minute permanent set increased with increasing fiber crimp curvature (mandrel curvature 1.72 mm-1). Wool set very well, and with longer setting times the mean permanent set became asymptotic with values ranging from 89.8% to 98.5% as the time approached 60 minutes. The permanent set of cashmere was more variable but much less than wool; after five minutes cashmere reached its maximum set of about 40%.