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Stabilization of Keratin Structure by Incorporated Water

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.

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ALGIE, J., WATT, I. Stabilization of Keratin Structure by Incorporated Water. Nature 193, 972–973 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/193972a0

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