The Effect of Changes in the Relative Humidity on the Electrical Conductivity of Wool Fibers

Abstract

The changes which take place in the electrical conductance of wool fibers, following the application of sudden changes in the humidity from zero up to various values, have been studied as a function of time. There is an initial rapid increase followed by a long-term increase or decrease in the conductance (depending upon the final relative humidity). The changes have been related to changes in the mobility of the absorbed water. Structural modifications produced by a setting process also have been found to affect the conductance. It has been concluded that wool fibers cannot be considered as a fixed unchanging substrate for absorption as changes in the relation between water content and conductivity occur during the absorption process and as a result of the fibers past absorption history.