Effects of Shrinkproofing and Other Chemical Treatments on the Epicuticle of Wool

Treatment of wool with degradative shrinkproofing reagents or extraction with ethanol or formic acid does not prevent the occurrence of the Allworden reaction. Thus, the epicuticle is not disrupted by these treatments (as has been often stated) and this agrees well with its known chemical inertness. Treatment with anhydrous potassium t-hutoxide produces shrink-resistance and harsh handle but no appreciable loss of weight, change in mechanical properties, modification of the Allwörden reaction, or modification of the surface, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. We believe this to be the first documented example of a shrink-resist treatment which is due solely to modification of the surface of the epicuticle.