Effect of the Chemical Unhairing Process on Pulled Wool Characteristics

Abstract Textile research is being driven to find sustainable materials as an alternative to raw fibers. In fact, reusing fibrous waste, as a byproduct, is one of the most important environmental challenges that confront the world. This research focused on studying pulled wool fibers as a natural fiber to reduce environmental loading. There are large amounts of residual pulled wool fibers that can be recycled and valorised. Therefore, raw and pulled wool fibers were characterized and compared. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) results show that on the pulled wool fiber, the surface became rougher and the scales appear affected and less dense. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, the crystallinity of the pulled fiber decreased lightly. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analyzes presented some changes in chemical composition. A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) test showed an increase in the amount of cystic acids. The pulled wool fiber indicates that it might have damaged some crosslinks of macromolecular chains in the fiber. Thus, physical, chemical and mechanical properties are affected during the chemical unhairing process. This research purpose was to increase the potential for better value of pulled wool as it presents the natural fiber most used in several applications.