PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF WOOL FIBERS IN ELECTROLYTE-SOLUTIONS

The tensile modulus of Lincoln wool fibers immersed in a range of neut ral salt solutions has been investigated as a function of time and sol ution concentration. Salt solutions with high water activity, reduced ionic strength, and low viscosity will lead to favorable conditions fo r the penetration of ions into the fibers. The reduction in tensile mo dulus when salts penetrate wool fibers can be fully accounted for by t he increased regain and associated swelling of the fibers. It appears unlikely that the breaking of salt links or destabilization of the alp ha-helices plays a significant role in reducing the tensile properties of wool fibers in neutral salt solutions.