Modification Of Wool Fiber Using Freeze Treatment

Wool fibers were modified by freeze treatment in this study. Chemical and mechanical analyses of the treated samples compared with the untreated one are reported. X-ray investigation showed that the crystallinity of wool fiber with freezing treatment was decreased, assumed to be fiber swollen caused by water migration and ice crystal growth during freezing treatment. Different samples were dyed to investigate the influence of freezing on dyeing properties of wool, the results showed that both dyeing uptake and dyeing speed of freezing-treated fabric were increased evidently compared with the untreated one. The mechanical properties test revealed that tensile strength. of treated fabric has no marked change while elongation was increased. Freezing treatment also led to increase in moisture regain and solubility in caustic solution of wool fiber. In addition, the effect of pretreatment of wool fabric with freezing treatment and subsequent protease modification or oxidation with hydrogen peroxide was investigated, experimental results suggested that wool fiber after freezing treatment may be more active to chemicals, and freeze treatment may be a potential effective way for wool modification.