The Compression by Liquid Stress and the Permeability of Assemblies of Wool Fibers

Abstract

The permeability relationships and wet compressibility of scoured wool, card sliver, tops, and fabrics were determined by applying flowing water under pressure. Dry and wet assemblies of wool fibers were also compressed mechanically and the pressure-volume relationships obtained. Critical Reynold's numbers have been evaluated for flow through loose wool fibers, and the characteristics of the types of flow within compressible porous media have been discussed. Loose wool fibers when wet were more resistant to compression than an equal mass of dry fibers; also, fabrics were less permeable and compressible than equivalent areal densities of loose wool at pressures up to 8 atm.