Abstract
In order to explain the phenomenon of wool shrinkage in detergent solution, the change of physical properties of single wool fibre was investigated and it was observed that the lubrication derived from sorption of detergent on wool surface seemed to be the main cause.
It was recognized that the water solutions of the surface active agents having aromatic group in their molecule such as alkyl benzene sulfonate and butyl naphthalene sulfonate, increased the friction of fibre and then retarded its shrinkage.
In the presence of fatty alcohol, wool shrinkage was accelerated by it's lubrication effect.
