Wool fabrics were modified by pulse corona discharge and enzyme to improve the shrink resistance. The pulse corona treatment alone did not greatly affect the shrink resistance. Thus after the discharge treatment the fabrics were subjected to the treatment with keratinases. The effects of proteases involved in the keratinases on tensile strength were mainly studied. A new type of purified keratinase with a single component was tried. The shrink resistance of pulse corona treated wool was considerably enhanced by the subsequent enzyme application. The shrink proofing, tensile strength, and hand values of primary hand expressions after the dual treatment were investigated. It was found that the single component of keratinase exhibits excellent shrink resistance after the pulse corona discharge. The satisfactory shrink resistance was attained with slight lowering of tensile strength. The primary hand values of the treated fabrics did not change so much after the dual treatment and the good handle of the original wool itself was kept.
