Abstract
Watt and Kennett1 have shown that the equilibrium weight of wool fibres dried in vacuo (W0) is a function of their sorption history. The variation of W0 was shown to be due to water incorporated in the keratin structure. The lowest value of W0 is obtained by drying fibres which have been saturated with water or water vapour, while maximum values for W0 are obtained by leaving the fibres at intermediate relative humidities prior to desorption. Increases in W0 occur over a period of weeks and may amount to 3.5 per cent.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Watt, I. C., and Kennett, R. H., Text. Res. J., 30, 489 (1960).
Marsh, M. C., and Earp, K., Trans. Farad. Soc., 29, 173 (1933).
Speakman, J. B., J. Text. Inst., 18, T431 (1927).
Algie, J. E., Downes, J. G., and Mackay, B. H., Text. Res. J., 30, 432 (1960).
Feughelman, M., and Watt, I. C., Text. Res. J., 31, 962 (1961).
Watt, I. C., Kennett, R. H., and James, J. F. P., Text. Res. J., 29, 975 (1959).
Huggins, M. L., Chem. Rev., 32, 195 (1943).
Barrer, R. M., J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 16, 84 (1960).
Lasoski, S. W., and Cobbs, W. H., J. Poly. Sci., 36, 21 (1959).
Klotz, I. M., and Luborsky, S. W., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 81, 5119 (1959).
Murphy, E. J., J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 16, 115 (1960).
Taylor, C. P. S., Nature, 189, 388 (1961).
Eley, D. D., and Spivey, D. I., Nature, 188, 725 (1960).
Algie, J. E., and Haly, A. R., Text. Res. J., 30, 627 (1960).
Cassie, A. B. D., Trans. Farad. Soc., 41, 450 (1945).
Baker, W. O., and Yager, W. A., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 64, 2171 (1942).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ALGIE, J., WATT, I. Stabilization of Keratin Structure by Incorporated Water. Nature 193, 972–973 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/193972a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/193972a0
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.