ABSTRACT
Amino acid composition can vary between sheep, with the growth phase of the wool follicle cycle and with the nutritional status of the sheep.
Wool fiber diameters range 10 to 80 mm and have a density of 1.304 g/cm3, with slightly and imperfectly elliptical cross-sections. Wools with higher fiber diameter tend to be hairlike and medulated. Proteins in wool have the ability to adsorb water. At standard atmosphere of 65% relative humidity and 20°C, water regain ranges from 14 to 18%.[2]
Wool fibers are highly elastic, and if not strained by more than 30% of length for longer than one hour, they can return to their original state by soaking in water. The intrinsic strength of wool is low, varying between 50 and 300 megapascals.
