NZ515793A - Three step method for imparting shrink-resistance on animal fibers involving at two step oxidation then reduction cleavage of the cystine disulfide bond - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an animal fiber with scales, such as wool, mohair, alpaca, cashmere, llama, vicuna or angora, with reduced shrinkage. Such fibers have a degree of oxidization of a --S-S- bond in an epidermal cell of the animal fiber of not less than 0.1 of relative absorbance in an absorption band of -SO3H group and/or not less than 0.8 of relative absorbance in an absorption band of -S-S)3Na group with an absorbance of an absorption band corresponding to amide I set to 1 in a reflection FT-IR measuring method, they show shrink proofing of an area shrinkage rate of not more than 8% in three hours aqueous washing when measures as a felting shrinkage rate in conformity with Wool Mark Test Method 31, and have pilling resistance of not lower than third class in JIS L-1076.6.1A method. In addition, they retain the original water repellency of the natural animal fiber. Such fibers are made by a method comprising primary oxidation of the -S-S- bond into lower order oxidized state, further oxidation of the -S-S- bond into a di, tri, or tetra-oxidized state, then reduction cleavage of the di, tri, or tetra-oxidized -S-S- bond.