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Diagram of the physical structure of a wool fibre.
Diagram of the physical structure of a wool fibre.

The chemical and physical structure of merino wool

This information sheet explores the highly complex physical and chemical composition of wool fibres that has evolved to protect sheep from extremes of heat and cold. (5 pages)

Wool belongs to a group of proteins known as keratins. Unlike cotton and the majority of synthetic fibres, wool does not have a homogenous structure. Wool fibres have highly complex physical and chemical compositions that have evolved over time to protect sheep from extremes of heat and cold.

This information sheet explains in technical detail about the chemical and physical structure of the wool fibre.

It features schematic diagrams of the structure of wool fibres, the cell membrane complex and describes the relationship between paracortex and orthocortex segmentation and crimp in merino fibre.

Find out more about Wool overview.

 

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Primary Contact

Ms Heather Forward (MBIT)
Communications Officer, Geelong
Materials Science and Engineering
Phone: 61 3 5246 4085 
Fax: 61 3 5246 4811 

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CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering - Geelong
Cnr Henry St and Colac Rd
Belmont, Geelong VIC 3216
Australia
Contact: Reception, Geelong
Phone:61 3 5246 4000 
Fax:61 3 5246 4057 

Contact

Dr Tony Pierlot (BSc(Hons) PhD)
Senior Research Scientist
Materials Science and Engineering
Phone: 61 3 5246 4068 
Fax: 61 3 5246 4057