SYNTHETIC WOOL TESTED.

Mt Benger Mail, 24 October 1934, Page 4

SYNTHETIC WOOL TESTED.

SAMPLES ARE GENUINE WOOL. REPORT OF ANALYSTS. Recently samples of yarn received from overseas were submitted to the secretary of the Graziers’ Association (Mr S. L, Officer), and much concern was aroused by the reports that the articles were of “synthetic wool,” indistinguishable from the genuine article. Maintaining that it was extremely difficult to believe that the sample was other than wool, Mr Officer submitted the article to analysts for examination. A report has been received from the chemists, who stated that the principal constituent was either wool or some closely related animal fibre. As there is no known animal fibre other than wool which corresponds with the tests made there seems no doubt that the substance i s wool. However, as the samples were obtained from a reliable source in Melbourne, it is almost certain that some mistake has been made overseas. It is not suggested that no “synthetic wool” has ever been made, for some degree of uccess has been reported from Germany. In their reuport the chemits say that the sample eccived by them contained 11.12 per cent, moisture, 80.95 per cent, protein, and 1.07 per cent, sulphur. These results indicate that the article is mainly or animal origin and is not derived from wood pulp of cellulose. The outside layers of the fibres was made up of overlapping scales which are characterictic of certain animal fibres. In some fibres the inner medullary tube cvuld be distinguished clearly. The diameter of individual fibres was not always constant throughout the entire length, but a tapering off or break was noticeable in many instances. This is characteristic of animal fibres, particularly wool. A very small proportion of foreign fibres was found, some of which may have been prepared artificially. It is believed that the landed cost of the yarn was much cheaper than the cost of yarn of similar quality made in Australia. — Swanhill Guardian.