merino wool
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The planned breed for breeding in the Republic of Dagestan is Dagestan mountain breed. However, from sheep of this breed fine merino wool is not obtained, and the breeding of special merino breed for mountain and transhumant breeding system is an urgent problem. The purpose of the research was to characterize the main breeding traits in different sex and age groups of sheep of the new breed Artlukhsky merino, such as live weight, wool shearing and its qualitative parameters. Artlukhsky merino breed was bred by using Dagestan mountain breed on the ewes at the beginning stage of the rams of Stavropol breed, and at the final stage – Manych merino breed. The research of the parameters of the breeding traits has been made on elite and class I animals in the breeding farm of the APC “Krasny Oktyabr” in the Kazbekovsky area in the Republic of Dagestan. The live weight of sheep of different sex and age groups of the tested breed was 45–97 kg. The average fineness of wool fibers in adult rams was 23,3 microns (60 quality), in ewes – 22,9 microns (64 quality), in rams aged 12 months – 22,1 microns and young ewes – 20,9 microns (64 quality). The difference in the fineness of the wool on the side and thigh did not exceed one quality. The length of the wool fibers on the side on average in adult rams was at least 9,9 cm, in ewes – 9,4 cm, in young ewes – 10,2 cm and young rams – 10,4 cm. The yield of washed wool in the herd was at the level of 64 %, the fertility of ewes was 125 to 135 %. Thus, the indicators of the main selected traits in sheep of the new breed Artlukhsky merino are at the level of the best domestic breeds, such as Volgograd and Vyatka.
Gold and silver nanoparticles as high-value colourants and multi-functional entities for natural fibres and minerals
<p>Significant opportunities exist in both the scientific and industrial sectors for the development of novel multi-functional materials that combine the inherent properties of all precursor components in a synergistic manner, thereby providing new products and opportunities. Processes that add value to natural materials in a facile and refined manner are particularly sought after. Thus this research combines useable substrates, notably natural protein fibres and minerals with gold or silver nanoparticles, producing high value, multi-functional materials that display the strength, softness and shine (of the protein fibres), or high surface area and dispersibility (of the minerals) with the high value and wealth associated with the noble metal nanoparticles, their broad spectrum of intense colours, anti-microbial, insecticide and anti-static properties. This adds significant worth to the substrates, transforming them from commodities to valuable materials. Silk, merino wool and crossbred wool were the natural fibres employed kaolinite and halloysite clays the minerals. They were combined with gold and silver nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes (and hence colours) producing the following composite materials: • Gold nanoparticle-merino wool composites • Gold nanoparticle-crossbred wool composites • Gold nanoparticle-silk composites • Silver nanoparticle-kaolinite composites • Silver nanoparticle-halloysite composites The most successful method for producing silver nanoparticle-clay composites involved the external preparation of silver nanoparticles and their subsequent attachment to the clay substrates by means of a layer-by-layer deposition approach, which capitalised on electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes capping the nanoparticles and bound to the clay surfaces. Three general approaches were employed in the production of the gold nanoparticle-natural fibre composite materials. The nanoparticles were either synthesised ex-situ and subsequently attached to the fibres, or the natural fibres were utilised as redox active biotemplates in which the wool or silk absorbed and subsequently reduced Au³⁺ to nanoparticulate Au⁰ on and within the fibres. Thirdly, a seed mediated growth approach was employed in which additional Au³⁺ was reduced to nanoparticulate Au⁰ on the surface of gold nanoparticles already bound to the fibres. This was facilitated by an external reductant.</p>
<p>Significant opportunities exist in both the scientific and industrial sectors for the development of novel multi-functional materials that combine the inherent properties of all precursor components in a synergistic manner, thereby providing new products and opportunities. Processes that add value to natural materials in a facile and refined manner are particularly sought after. Thus this research combines useable substrates, notably natural protein fibres and minerals with gold or silver nanoparticles, producing high value, multi-functional materials that display the strength, softness and shine (of the protein fibres), or high surface area and dispersibility (of the minerals) with the high value and wealth associated with the noble metal nanoparticles, their broad spectrum of intense colours, anti-microbial, insecticide and anti-static properties. This adds significant worth to the substrates, transforming them from commodities to valuable materials. Silk, merino wool and crossbred wool were the natural fibres employed kaolinite and halloysite clays the minerals. They were combined with gold and silver nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes (and hence colours) producing the following composite materials: • Gold nanoparticle-merino wool composites • Gold nanoparticle-crossbred wool composites • Gold nanoparticle-silk composites • Silver nanoparticle-kaolinite composites • Silver nanoparticle-halloysite composites The most successful method for producing silver nanoparticle-clay composites involved the external preparation of silver nanoparticles and their subsequent attachment to the clay substrates by means of a layer-by-layer deposition approach, which capitalised on electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes capping the nanoparticles and bound to the clay surfaces. Three general approaches were employed in the production of the gold nanoparticle-natural fibre composite materials. The nanoparticles were either synthesised ex-situ and subsequently attached to the fibres, or the natural fibres were utilised as redox active biotemplates in which the wool or silk absorbed and subsequently reduced Au³⁺ to nanoparticulate Au⁰ on and within the fibres. Thirdly, a seed mediated growth approach was employed in which additional Au³⁺ was reduced to nanoparticulate Au⁰ on the surface of gold nanoparticles already bound to the fibres. This was facilitated by an external reductant.</p>
<p>Significant opportunities exist for the development of innovative multifunctional textiles for high value market applications. Composites that combine the inherent properties of their all precursor components in a synergistic manner in particular are sought after. Thus the unique chemical and physical properties of silver or silver halide nanoparticles are combined with the traditional properties of wool, thereby producing an innovative multifunctional composite. The prepared wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites retain the elasticity, thermal insulation and softness of the wool, whilst the colour, conductivity and antimicrobial properties owing to the nanoparticles are also incorporated. Due to the multi functions of silver the resulting high quality, high value product has numerous applications within the fashion and interior furnishings industries. The wools employed for the preparation of wool - silver or - silver chloride nanoparticle composites are merino wool and crossbred wool. Merino wool provides the main focus of the research. The experimental approach for the colouring of merino by silver or silver halide nanoparticles follows a novel and proprietary approach. The preparation of wool - silver nanoparticle composites includes two different procedures: 1) the synthesis of nanoparticles in the presence of wool fibres, using an external reducing agent/stabilising agent (trisodium citrate (TSC)), with the in situ binding of nanoparticles to the surface of the fibre; and 2) the synthesis of nanoparticles in the presence of the merino wool substrate, using the reducing nature of wool, with the in situ binding of nanoparticles within the fibre. Merino wool - silver nanoparticle composites range in colour from very pale yellow, through gold to tan and brown. The successful preparation of wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites includes the in situ precipitation of nanoparticles within the wool fibre. This is accomplished by doping the wool, with one of the halides, Cl⁻, Br⁻ or I⁻, prior to treatment with a silver containing solution. The colour of merino wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites can be tuned from pink to peach to purple. The colour of the wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites is due to surface plasmon resonances, i.e. the interaction of electromagnetic radiation of visible light with the nanoparticles. The reflected colour is dependent upon the size and shape of the nanoparticle, in addition to the refractive index of the stabilising agent surround the particle. The refractive index of silver chloride or silver bromide differs to that of the reducing/stabilising agent implemented, TSC, or merino, and thus the reflected colour is altered. The colour of silver iodide nanoparticles appears to be due to the interaction of light with the formed nanoparticles themselves and not due to the formation of silver nanoparticles within the silver iodide nanoparticles. In addition to the colour being measured by UV-vis in reflectance mode, the characterisation of the hues of the prepared composites were monitored by obtaining CIE L*, a*, b* values via the HunterLab Colourquest. The morphological characterisation of merino wool coloured by silver or silver chloride nanoparticles was undertaken using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). When merino wool - silver nanoparticle composites are prepared using an external reducing agent, the formed nanoparticles predominantly bind to the wool fibres surfaces only. When the reducing nature of wool is used for composite preparation, nanoparticles are formed within the fibre and are dispersed throughout the fibres core, with few being present on the surface. Comparable studies of merino wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites showed that silver halide nanoparticles are formed and stabilised just below the fibres surface. The confirmation of silver or silver halide species within the prepared composites was undertaken using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission spectroscopy (STEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). Colourfastness tests to washing, rubbing and exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water were undertaken to assess the robustness of the prepared composites in terms of their colour. These tests indicate that the colours of both merino wool - silver and - silver chloride nanoparticle composites are very stable. The leaching of silver during the washing process was noted to be insignificant, suggesting a strong and stable bond between the fibre substrate and the nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to elucidate the chemical bonding between the wool fibre substrate and the silver or silver halide nanoparticles. The colourfastness of merino wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites to light however, was not observed. When exposed to UV light for extended periods, a distinct change in colour occurs. Silver nanoparticle composites lighten considerably, whereas their silver chloride nanoparticle counterparts are noted to become grey in their colour. XPS was used in an attempt to determine what leads to the discolouration of the composites. Further research is required however, in order to reduce or halt the colour degradation of merino wool - silver or - silver chloride nanoparticle composites. Silver iodide nanoparticles, on the other hand, show great potential as colourants for wool, exhibiting stable colours over a long time period to light. A range of desirable colours are obtained through the colouring of wool by silver or silver halide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are strongly bound to the fibres and thus the colours are stable to washing and rubbing, exhibiting insignificant leaching of silver during such processes. Additionally, the prepared silver and silver halide nanoparticle composites tested positive for their antistatic properties, and their antimicrobial activity, providing a high value multifunctional material. Numerous applications within fashion and interior furnishing industries are therefore apparent. However, the evident setback for applications in these fields is the colour instability to light of silver, silver chloride and silver bromide nanoparticles, and thus further studies are required to eliminate this problem. Alternative options exist for the exploitation of the photosensitivity of silver halide nanoparticles within the merino wool composites, or the possibility of using silver or silver halide nanoparticles in combination with other strong dyes for the production of coloured woollen fabrics.</p>
<p>Significant opportunities exist for the development of innovative multifunctional textiles for high value market applications. Composites that combine the inherent properties of their all precursor components in a synergistic manner in particular are sought after. Thus the unique chemical and physical properties of silver or silver halide nanoparticles are combined with the traditional properties of wool, thereby producing an innovative multifunctional composite. The prepared wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites retain the elasticity, thermal insulation and softness of the wool, whilst the colour, conductivity and antimicrobial properties owing to the nanoparticles are also incorporated. Due to the multi functions of silver the resulting high quality, high value product has numerous applications within the fashion and interior furnishings industries. The wools employed for the preparation of wool - silver or - silver chloride nanoparticle composites are merino wool and crossbred wool. Merino wool provides the main focus of the research. The experimental approach for the colouring of merino by silver or silver halide nanoparticles follows a novel and proprietary approach. The preparation of wool - silver nanoparticle composites includes two different procedures: 1) the synthesis of nanoparticles in the presence of wool fibres, using an external reducing agent/stabilising agent (trisodium citrate (TSC)), with the in situ binding of nanoparticles to the surface of the fibre; and 2) the synthesis of nanoparticles in the presence of the merino wool substrate, using the reducing nature of wool, with the in situ binding of nanoparticles within the fibre. Merino wool - silver nanoparticle composites range in colour from very pale yellow, through gold to tan and brown. The successful preparation of wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites includes the in situ precipitation of nanoparticles within the wool fibre. This is accomplished by doping the wool, with one of the halides, Cl⁻, Br⁻ or I⁻, prior to treatment with a silver containing solution. The colour of merino wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites can be tuned from pink to peach to purple. The colour of the wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites is due to surface plasmon resonances, i.e. the interaction of electromagnetic radiation of visible light with the nanoparticles. The reflected colour is dependent upon the size and shape of the nanoparticle, in addition to the refractive index of the stabilising agent surround the particle. The refractive index of silver chloride or silver bromide differs to that of the reducing/stabilising agent implemented, TSC, or merino, and thus the reflected colour is altered. The colour of silver iodide nanoparticles appears to be due to the interaction of light with the formed nanoparticles themselves and not due to the formation of silver nanoparticles within the silver iodide nanoparticles. In addition to the colour being measured by UV-vis in reflectance mode, the characterisation of the hues of the prepared composites were monitored by obtaining CIE L*, a*, b* values via the HunterLab Colourquest. The morphological characterisation of merino wool coloured by silver or silver chloride nanoparticles was undertaken using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). When merino wool - silver nanoparticle composites are prepared using an external reducing agent, the formed nanoparticles predominantly bind to the wool fibres surfaces only. When the reducing nature of wool is used for composite preparation, nanoparticles are formed within the fibre and are dispersed throughout the fibres core, with few being present on the surface. Comparable studies of merino wool - silver halide nanoparticle composites showed that silver halide nanoparticles are formed and stabilised just below the fibres surface. The confirmation of silver or silver halide species within the prepared composites was undertaken using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission spectroscopy (STEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). Colourfastness tests to washing, rubbing and exposure to chlorinated swimming pool water were undertaken to assess the robustness of the prepared composites in terms of their colour. These tests indicate that the colours of both merino wool - silver and - silver chloride nanoparticle composites are very stable. The leaching of silver during the washing process was noted to be insignificant, suggesting a strong and stable bond between the fibre substrate and the nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to elucidate the chemical bonding between the wool fibre substrate and the silver or silver halide nanoparticles. The colourfastness of merino wool - silver or - silver halide nanoparticle composites to light however, was not observed. When exposed to UV light for extended periods, a distinct change in colour occurs. Silver nanoparticle composites lighten considerably, whereas their silver chloride nanoparticle counterparts are noted to become grey in their colour. XPS was used in an attempt to determine what leads to the discolouration of the composites. Further research is required however, in order to reduce or halt the colour degradation of merino wool - silver or - silver chloride nanoparticle composites. Silver iodide nanoparticles, on the other hand, show great potential as colourants for wool, exhibiting stable colours over a long time period to light. A range of desirable colours are obtained through the colouring of wool by silver or silver halide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are strongly bound to the fibres and thus the colours are stable to washing and rubbing, exhibiting insignificant leaching of silver during such processes. Additionally, the prepared silver and silver halide nanoparticle composites tested positive for their antistatic properties, and their antimicrobial activity, providing a high value multifunctional material. Numerous applications within fashion and interior furnishing industries are therefore apparent. However, the evident setback for applications in these fields is the colour instability to light of silver, silver chloride and silver bromide nanoparticles, and thus further studies are required to eliminate this problem. Alternative options exist for the exploitation of the photosensitivity of silver halide nanoparticles within the merino wool composites, or the possibility of using silver or silver halide nanoparticles in combination with other strong dyes for the production of coloured woollen fabrics.</p>
<p>Our research group, led by Professor J. H. Johnston, has developed a novel approach for dyeing merino wool with nanogold [gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)] by coupling the chemistry of gold with that of wool fibres. This utilises the plasmonic properties of nanogold to create attractive fabric colours ranging from pink to purple to grey. The newly created fabric benefits from the synergistic effect of the unique properties of strong merino wool and valuable gold, i.e. the innovative product is intensely coloured, colour fast, naturally hydrophobic, anti-microbial, anti-static as well as having first-rate wearing comfort. This innovation has attracted substantial interest from industry resulting in the collaboration of our research group with leading fabric manufacturers and designers. However, the colour range of this unique high-value product is limited. It was desirable to enlarge the colour range by developing new strategies to create wash fast nanogold–wool composites with a broad colour spectrum. Thus my research aimed to identify and understand the fundamental principles that govern the formation of nanogold–wool composites. Based on the derived knowledge, it was aimed to develop a methodology to covalently link pre-synthesised AuNPs of various colours to the surface of New Zealand merino wool fibres in order to obtain wash fast nanogold–wool composites with a broad colour spectrum. This involved the synthesis, functionalisation and characterisation of colloidal AuNPs, and their application as colourants for wool. The methodology followed three general steps: (1) synthesis of colloidal gold, (2) preparation of the wool surface for the colouring processes, and (3) production of nanogold–wool composites. Each work stage was accompanied by thorough analysis and characterisation of the intermediate and final products. Studying colloidal gold systems and nanogold–wool composites which were previously reported provided the insights that were necessary to develop new methodologies to strongly link AuNPs to wool. For instance, nanogold stabilised by oleylamine produces especially bright pink nanogold–wool composites; however, the AuNP–wool bond is relatively weak. Hence, several AuNP–wool bond types were intensively studied, and as a result of combining the knowledge gained, two approaches were developed to provide a proof-of-concept for the creation of wash fast nanogold–wool composites. These approaches involved a specifically designed, in-house-synthesised capping agent for AuNPs as well as a crosslinker that binds functionalised AuNPs to the reactive sites of wool. In addition to achieving the project aims, my work produced three new systems of colloidal gold in aqueous medium which stand out due to their properties. Specifically, these properties were: (1) being stable without significant electrostatic or steric stabilisation, (2) having a unique surface functionalisation allowing for selective chemistry, and (3) having an intense blue colour as a result of controlling the AuNP shape during synthesis. All three systems show application potential for wool colouration, ligand exchange reactions, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and in the field of biomedicine.</p>
<p>Our research group, led by Professor J. H. Johnston, has developed a novel approach for dyeing merino wool with nanogold [gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)] by coupling the chemistry of gold with that of wool fibres. This utilises the plasmonic properties of nanogold to create attractive fabric colours ranging from pink to purple to grey. The newly created fabric benefits from the synergistic effect of the unique properties of strong merino wool and valuable gold, i.e. the innovative product is intensely coloured, colour fast, naturally hydrophobic, anti-microbial, anti-static as well as having first-rate wearing comfort. This innovation has attracted substantial interest from industry resulting in the collaboration of our research group with leading fabric manufacturers and designers. However, the colour range of this unique high-value product is limited. It was desirable to enlarge the colour range by developing new strategies to create wash fast nanogold–wool composites with a broad colour spectrum. Thus my research aimed to identify and understand the fundamental principles that govern the formation of nanogold–wool composites. Based on the derived knowledge, it was aimed to develop a methodology to covalently link pre-synthesised AuNPs of various colours to the surface of New Zealand merino wool fibres in order to obtain wash fast nanogold–wool composites with a broad colour spectrum. This involved the synthesis, functionalisation and characterisation of colloidal AuNPs, and their application as colourants for wool. The methodology followed three general steps: (1) synthesis of colloidal gold, (2) preparation of the wool surface for the colouring processes, and (3) production of nanogold–wool composites. Each work stage was accompanied by thorough analysis and characterisation of the intermediate and final products. Studying colloidal gold systems and nanogold–wool composites which were previously reported provided the insights that were necessary to develop new methodologies to strongly link AuNPs to wool. For instance, nanogold stabilised by oleylamine produces especially bright pink nanogold–wool composites; however, the AuNP–wool bond is relatively weak. Hence, several AuNP–wool bond types were intensively studied, and as a result of combining the knowledge gained, two approaches were developed to provide a proof-of-concept for the creation of wash fast nanogold–wool composites. These approaches involved a specifically designed, in-house-synthesised capping agent for AuNPs as well as a crosslinker that binds functionalised AuNPs to the reactive sites of wool. In addition to achieving the project aims, my work produced three new systems of colloidal gold in aqueous medium which stand out due to their properties. Specifically, these properties were: (1) being stable without significant electrostatic or steric stabilisation, (2) having a unique surface functionalisation allowing for selective chemistry, and (3) having an intense blue colour as a result of controlling the AuNP shape during synthesis. All three systems show application potential for wool colouration, ligand exchange reactions, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and in the field of biomedicine.</p>
<p>This research programme is concerned with the uptake studies of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ at different conditions, by merino wool fibres and also uptake studies of Cu2+ ions by chemically modified wool fibres. Cu2O particles and Cu complexes are formed within merino wool by an in situ reaction with sodium borohydride and thioglycoloic acid respectively. The d-block elements have the ability to bind chemically to certain functional groups present within the keratin protein of wool. The absorption of the Cu2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ from solution by wool fibres under different conditions notably, time, temperature and initial concentration have been studied. The optimum temperature and reaction time to give highest absorption of the Cu2+ by the wool fibre was found to be 90 oC and one hour without modifying the nature of the wool, from a solution of Cu2+ concentration of 450 mg L-1. Cu2+ was found to give the greatest absorption by the wool fibres, whereas Zn2+ and Mn2+ were found to be absorbed the least. The absorption of Cu2+ ions increases with increasing temperature. At the higher temperature of 90 oC, the -S-S- bonds in the cystine amino acids break more readily, generating thiol and cysteic acid groups to bind with copper ions. The uptake of Cu2+ by ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (14 mg g-1 of wool) or thioglycolic acid (42.5 mg g-1 of wool) or sodium borohydride (41.8 mg g-1 of wool) treated merino wool fibres increases with respect to unmodified wool (8 mg g-1 of wool). NaBH4 treated merino wool reduces Cu2+ ions to Cu2O particles which form within the wool fibres by an in situ reaction. TGA treated merino wool provides additional functional groups to bind with copper ions and Cu2O particles also likely to be formed within TGA treated wool composites. The metal ions were absorbed into the fibres under various conditions and the extent of absorption was quantified. The form and binding of the Cu2O particles or Cu2+ ions onto the wool fibres are studied using UV-Visible, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM methods.</p>
<p>This research programme is concerned with the uptake studies of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ at different conditions, by merino wool fibres and also uptake studies of Cu2+ ions by chemically modified wool fibres. Cu2O particles and Cu complexes are formed within merino wool by an in situ reaction with sodium borohydride and thioglycoloic acid respectively. The d-block elements have the ability to bind chemically to certain functional groups present within the keratin protein of wool. The absorption of the Cu2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ from solution by wool fibres under different conditions notably, time, temperature and initial concentration have been studied. The optimum temperature and reaction time to give highest absorption of the Cu2+ by the wool fibre was found to be 90 oC and one hour without modifying the nature of the wool, from a solution of Cu2+ concentration of 450 mg L-1. Cu2+ was found to give the greatest absorption by the wool fibres, whereas Zn2+ and Mn2+ were found to be absorbed the least. The absorption of Cu2+ ions increases with increasing temperature. At the higher temperature of 90 oC, the -S-S- bonds in the cystine amino acids break more readily, generating thiol and cysteic acid groups to bind with copper ions. The uptake of Cu2+ by ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (14 mg g-1 of wool) or thioglycolic acid (42.5 mg g-1 of wool) or sodium borohydride (41.8 mg g-1 of wool) treated merino wool fibres increases with respect to unmodified wool (8 mg g-1 of wool). NaBH4 treated merino wool reduces Cu2+ ions to Cu2O particles which form within the wool fibres by an in situ reaction. TGA treated merino wool provides additional functional groups to bind with copper ions and Cu2O particles also likely to be formed within TGA treated wool composites. The metal ions were absorbed into the fibres under various conditions and the extent of absorption was quantified. The form and binding of the Cu2O particles or Cu2+ ions onto the wool fibres are studied using UV-Visible, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM methods.</p>
Softness is one of the key elements of textile comfort and is one of the main considerations when consumers make purchasing decisions. In the wool industry, softness can reflect the quality and value of wool fibers. There is verifiable difference in subjective softness between Australian Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) wool and conventional Merino (CM) wool, yet the key factors responsible for this difference are not yet well understood. Fiber attributes, such as crimp (curvature), scale morphology, ortho-to-cortex (OtC) ratio and moisture regain, may have a significant influence on softness performance. This study has examined these key factors for both SRS and CM wool and systematically compared the difference in these factors. There was no significant difference in the crimp frequency between these two wools; however, the curvature of SRS wool was lower than that of CM wool within the same fiber diameter ranges (below 14.5 micron, 16.5–18.5 micron). This difference might be caused by the lower OtC ratio for SRS wool (approximately 0.60) than for CM wool (approximately 0.66). The crystallinity of the two wools was similar and not affected by the change in OtC ratio. SRS wool has higher moisture regain than CM wool by approximately 2.5%, which could reduce the stiffness of wool fibers. The surface morphology for SRS wool was also different from that of CM wool. The lower cuticle scale height for SRS wool resulted in its smoother surface than CM wool. This cuticle height difference was present even when they both had similar cuticle scale frequency.
