Abstract
THE marked variations in plasticity among the fibres of a single staple of wool1 are now known to be associated with the types of follicle from which they are derived, fibres with the lowest plasticity being produced by primary central follicles, which are the first to develop, and fibres with the highest plasticity by the secondary follicles which are the last to develop2. It has, however, proved more difficult to identify the chemical and physical causes of the variations in plasticity. With two wools, which were examined in great detail, fibres with the lowest plasticity were found to have the highest sulphur content, and vice versa1,3, as would be expected if unfolding of the main chains of α-keratin during plastic flow is impeded by cystine cross-linkages; but the simplicity of the relationship appears to be marred in other cases by differences in the mode of distribution of cystine in different fibres.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Ripa, O., and Speakman, J. B., Text. Res. J., 21, 215 (1951).
Burley, R. W., and Speakman, J. B., Text. Res. J., 23, 702 (1953).
Burley, R. W., Nicholls, C. H., and Speakman, J. B., J. Text. Inst., 47, T427 (1955).
Richards, H. R., and Speakman, J. B., J. Soc. Dyers and Colourists, 71 (1955).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LE ROUX, P., SPEAKMAN, J. Plasticity of Wool. Nature 176, 510 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/176510a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/176510a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.