NATURAL WOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 February 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

NATURAL WOOL

RESEARCHES FOR IMPROVING

QUALITY.

TO MEET COMPETITION FROM ARTIFICIAL FIBRES.

Research into methods of improving the qualities of natural wool to enable it to compete with artificial fibres has been undertaken at the Torridon Laboratories of the British Wool Industries Research Association at Leeds. Some of the more outstanding achievements include the production of unshrinkable wool by the gas chlorination method, which has now reached a stage at which it may be widely employed by the industry. Thousands of pounds weight of unshrinkable tops have been produced for the trade, while experimental materials woven from treated tops have been subjected to most rigorous tests and have emerged satisfactorily. Although there is said to be some slight loss in softness of handle as a result of this treatment, this can be restored and sometimes even improved by suitable chemical treatment. Another achievement at Torridon is the discovery of a method of coating wool yarns with a fine layer of rubber. This process is still in an experimental stage, but promises important possibilities foi’ carpets, certain types of hosiery, and for water-proofed materials. From the unshrinkable yarn which has been developed new fashion designs and materials have been evolved. For example, by combining unshrinkable and normal yarns attractive effects may be produced which are suitable for curtains and for women’s dress materials. Even more important is the fact that unshrinkable yarn may be used to produce fine cellular woollen underwear, a need for which has long been felt.