NEW ARTIFICIAL WOOL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 11

NEW ARTIFICIAL WOOL

♦ QUALITY REPORTED TO BE HIGH AMERICAN DISCOVERY SATISFACTORY TESTS IN TEXTILE MILLS (CSITED I'RESS ASSOCIATION O TV-'IC- .1 -■) (Received December 14. 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. December 13. The Australian Associated Prc." learns that artificial wool of an exceptionally high quality has been perfected by the Dupont chemical interests. It is a cellulose product. Unlike natural wool, which has a scaley fibre, this has a smooth continuous fibre which, however, weaves exceptionally well and m appearance is said to achieve tnc so-called zephyr quality of fines, merino woven fabrics. It requires no preparatory batn before weaving. It is said to be i-i virtually the same warmth as wool. The exact wearing qualities, however. have not been determined. They are being exhaustively tested. At least one of the leading textile mills which has made weaving tests expressed great satisfaction v ith the virtues of the new product. It is estimated to cost, at the present time, the same as high quality wools, but it is expected that the cost under commercial conditions will be considerably lower. Experts informed the correspondent that it would be at least a decade before the full force of the new materiel would be felt in the textile world. Present producers of fine merino, if there is not an undue increase in production will, it is stated, have little to fear from the new product which, it is felt, will, like rayon, extensively widen potential wool consumption. It is understood that the Duponts Company is exercising extraordinary caution and secrecy over the product, allowing little or none of it to be shown. They are determined to carry out several years’ extensive experimentation before attempting active entry into the textile market. UNSHRINKABLE WOOL PROGRESS IN CHLORINATION PROCESS (Received December 14, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 14. The report of the Wool Industries Research Association announces that the chlorination process of producing unshrinkable wool has reached a stage at which its commercialisation is possible. Additional improvements are expected after recent investigation into bleaching with sulphite solutions, preventing yellowing after washing. The report adds that much attention has been given to the scientific measurement of the characteristics of wool fibre, which has been the basis of the scientific study of wool between workers in different countries, and may establish very fruitful contact between the manufacturer and the pastoralist, enabling the wool grower to supply the manufacturer’s wants.