Relationship Between Various Surface Properties of Wool Fibers

Abstract

Wool fibers were treated with alcoholic potash for different periods of time. The diffusion rate of dyes and acids into wool fibers was measured. It was found that the epicuticle largely controls the diffusion rate. The differences in permeability of the epicuticle in different parts of the fiber complicate a mathematical treatment of the diffusion data. A theory is given in which the differences in permeability of the epicuticle are thought to be dependent on the polarity of the surface layer.