The WOOL Book One | Page 8

Wool … under the microscope

The Inside Story�

Wool … under the microscope

Each strand of wool is a miracle of natural science ; a microscope will show the complexity of its structure . It offers incredible added value which has never been replicated by any manmade alternative .
Wrapped in a protective layer of overlapping scales , wool has a porous surface ; beneath is the fatty acid layer which helps wool to resist staining and water . The cortex is the middle layer which helps it to insulate and soundproof . Beyond its outer layers and into the cell membrane , colour retention and durability are optimised . Then deep inside the fibre there is a truly amazing set of technical properties that offer a host of hidden benefits — fire resistance , water absorption , wrinkle recovery and antistatic attributes . Coiled right at its centre is the elastic strength that gives wool its ability to perform continuously under constant pressure .
Wool is simply the most efficient and effective working fibre , with many technical abilities all wrapped up inside a simple strand . �
Sheep are free range animals and will graze in open countryside .
6 | T H E W O O L B O O K