ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the diversity of chemical finishing processes used for wool fabrics. Real progress in chemical finishing, however, had to wait until the 1930s when substantial advances began to be made in understanding the complexities of wool fiber chemistry. Chemistry now plays a significant role in wool finishing. Chemical finishing is only one of several key steps in transforming woven and knitted wool fabrics into desirable consumer and industrial goods. Bleaching (discussed elsewhere), dyeing, and dry finishing are equally important areas in the final processing of wool fabrics. Recognition and understanding of the complex interactions within and between these different areas of finishing is the key to the successful production of quality wool fabrics. However, despite the significant advances so far made in the chemical technology of wool finishing, many areas still remain the domain of the skilled craftsman. The industrial revolution did much to stimulate the mechanical technology of wool finishing.
