How Is Wool Processed and Used in Daily Life?
Wool is a kind of fibre obtained from hairs of sheep, goat, yak, and some other animals. From the definition, it is clear that wool can be obtained from many animals, not only from sheep. The clothes that we wear are cotton, silk, nylon, and wool. These fabrics are obtained from the fibres. These are naturally available to us or are man-made. The basic unit of any kind of fabric is fibre. Let’s discuss the fibre in more detail.
Types of Fibre
On the basis of origin, fibre can be divided into two types:
Natural Fibres
The origin of this fibre is natural. It can be further classified into various types:
Plant fibres
Animal fibres
Mineral fibres
Man-Made Fibre
These are synthetic fibres. These fibres can be further classified into a different subgroup:
Regenerated fibres
Synthetic fibres
Metallic fibres
Let’s discuss the Main Fibres
Plant Fibre
This is the type of fibre that are obtained from plants. For example- cotton and flax.
Animal Fibre
This type of fibre is obtained from animals. For example- silk and wool.
Synthetic Fibre
This type of fibres are manufactured in industries. These are called man-made fibres. For example- nylon, polyester.
Types of Wool
Sheep wool is obtained from sheep and it is commonly used and famous in Tibet and Ladakh. Angora wool is obtained from angora goat and it is commonly used in the hilly region like Jammu and Kashmir. The underfur of the angora goat is used in making fine shawls known as pashmina shawls.
The fur of many other animals is used in making fibre like a camel. Fur or camel, alpaca, llama etc is used in making fibre. In India the famous and common source of wool is sheep.
The quality and the quantity of the wool depends on the breed of the sheep. Some breeds of sheep have fine hair while others have coarse hairs.
Types of Sheep Hair
There are two forms of sheep hair present:
Coarse beard Hair
The Fine Soft under Hair Close to the Skin
Wool is obtained from this type of sheep hair. This type of hair is very fine. Therefore, used in making wool fibres. We see that sheep are the main source of wool. We need to produce good quality wool-producing sheep. For this, we perform selective breeding.
What is selective breeding? Selective breeding is the process of selecting parents for obtaining special characters in their offspring. So, for obtaining wool we need sheep with more soft hairs and less coarse hairs. In the Manufacturing process of wool, the selective parents will be the sheep with soft fine under hairs.
The Manufacturing Process of Wool
The manufacturing process of wool involves four steps. These steps are given below:
Shearing
Scouring
Sorting
Fabric production
Let’s Discuss Each Step One by One
Shearing
It is done manually by using a pair of scissors or electrically driven shavers. In this process when hairs are removed from the live sheep, known as clipped wool. When it is obtained from dead sheep it is known as pulled wool.
Scouring
The sheared skin with hairs is thoroughly washed in large tanks to remove grease, dirt, and dust. This process is known as souring.
Sorting
The hairy skin is sent to industries where hairs with various textures are separated or sorted. The small fluffy fibres are called burrs. These burrs are picked out from the hair. The people involved in this process generally get infected by the bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. This disease is called sorter’s disease.
Flowchart of the Manufacturing Process of Wool
The fur or the skin of the sheep (generally sheep)
Shearing (removal of thin dead skin layer)
Scouring (removed skin is washed in a large industrial tank to remove grease, oil, dirt and other kinds of contaminants.)
Sorting (hair of various texture is separated)
Removal of burrs (small fluffy fibres)
Dyeing of the processed wool (adding different colours)
Rolling into yarn
Parameters for measuring Quality of Wool
The quality of wool can be analysed using the following criteria.
The thickness of the fibre- The thinner the fibre, the better the quality of the wool is.
Waviness- A wool of good quality is more crimpy than inferior wool.
Fibre length- the good quality of wool has a short fibre length.
Uses of Wool
Wool is used in weaving sweaters.
Wool has been used for making carpets.
Wool is used in making wool felt. These are used for absorbing noises coming from heavy machines and stereo speakers.
Did You Know?
Wool has the ability to absorb moisture.
Wool does not burn over the flame but smoulders.
Wool is a lightweight fabric.
We do not need to iron wool regularly as wool does not wrinkle easily.
Wool fabrics are resistant to dirt.
FAQs on Wool in Chemistry: Types, Manufacturing & Uses
1. What is wool from a scientific perspective?
From a scientific perspective, wool is a natural animal fibre composed primarily of a protein called keratin. This is the same protein found in human hair and nails. It is obtained from the fleece of animals such as sheep, goats, yaks, and camels. Its unique, crimped structure is what gives it excellent insulating properties.
2. What are the main steps involved in processing raw fleece into woollen yarn?
The manufacturing of woollen yarn involves several key steps to convert the raw fleece from an animal into a usable textile. The main stages are:
Shearing: The process of removing the fleece from the animal, typically a sheep, in one piece.
Scouring: The sheared fleece is washed thoroughly in tanks to remove grease, dirt, and dust.
Sorting: The clean wool is sorted based on its texture, length, and quality. Different textures are used for different products.
Burr Removal: Small, fluffy fibres called burrs are picked out from the wool.
Dyeing: The fibres are dyed in various colours as natural fleece is typically white, brown, or black.
Spinning: The fibres are straightened, combed, and rolled into yarn, which is then spun and woven into woollen fabric.
3. What are the most common types of wool and their sources?
Different types of wool are sourced from various animals, each having unique characteristics. Some common examples include:
Merino Wool: Sourced from Merino sheep, it is known for being exceptionally fine and soft.
Cashmere Wool: Obtained from Cashmere goats, this wool is prized for its luxurious softness, light weight, and excellent insulation.
Angora Wool: This comes from Angora rabbits and is known for its silky, soft texture and fluffy appearance.
Mohair: Sourced from the Angora goat, mohair is known for its high lustre, sheen, and durability.
4. What are the primary properties of wool that make it a valuable textile?
Wool is a valuable textile due to several key properties. It is an excellent insulator because its natural crimp traps air, which helps regulate temperature. It is also highly durable and elastic, allowing garments to retain their shape. Furthermore, wool is naturally fire-resistant, as it requires more oxygen to burn than most synthetic fibres and often self-extinguishes. Lastly, it can absorb a significant amount of moisture without feeling wet, a property known as hygroscopy.
5. What are some important uses of wool in everyday life?
The unique properties of wool make it suitable for a wide range of applications. Common uses include:
Clothing: Used for making warm clothes like sweaters, coats, scarves, and suits.
Home Furnishings: Used to make blankets, carpets, rugs, and upholstery due to its durability and fire-resistant nature.
Insulation: Wool fibres are used as a natural and sustainable building insulation material.
Accessories: It is also used for making hats, gloves, and socks.
6. Why is wool considered an effective insulator against both cold and heat?
Wool's effectiveness as an insulator comes from the natural crimp or waviness of its fibres. This structure creates millions of tiny air pockets within the fabric. This trapped air acts as a thermal barrier, slowing down the transfer of heat. In cold weather, it prevents body heat from escaping, keeping you warm. Conversely, in warm weather, it prevents external heat from reaching the skin, helping to keep you cool.
7. How does the quality of wool fibre, like its fineness, impact the final product?
The quality of wool fibre directly determines the characteristics of the final product. Fibre fineness, measured in microns, affects the softness and comfort of the fabric. Finer wools like Merino create soft, lightweight garments that can be worn next to the skin without itching. In contrast, coarser fibres are more durable and are typically used for outerwear, carpets, and upholstery. The length of the fibre also matters; longer fibres create stronger, smoother yarn that is less prone to pilling.
8. What is the fundamental difference between wool and cotton?
The fundamental difference lies in their origin and chemical composition. Wool is an animal fibre made of the protein keratin, which makes it an excellent insulator and highly elastic. In contrast, cotton is a plant-based fibre made of the carbohydrate cellulose. Cotton is known for its breathability and absorbency, making it ideal for warm climates, but it does not provide the same level of insulation as wool when wet.
9. What is 'Sorter's Disease' and how is it related to the wool industry?
Sorter's Disease is a serious occupational hazard in the wool industry. It is a form of anthrax, a fatal blood disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Workers who sort the raw fleece are at risk of inhaling the bacterial spores that may be present on the wool from infected animals. This can lead to a severe and often deadly respiratory infection, which is why this health risk is a major concern for workers in this profession.
