A kinetic study of water adsorbed on wool

Abstract

Wool consists of fibres of keratin - the structural protein that constitutes all types of epithelial cells such as horn, skin and feathers. The length and diameter of wool fibres vary depending on the type of sheep and the time of shearing etc. Each wool fibre arises from a single follicle in the skin, and is covered with a water repellent protective layer of wool wax, which must be removed if the protein underneath is to be studied.