1. Basic structure and properties of cashmere
Cashmere is the inner layer of goat hair. Raw goat cashmere comes in white, green, purple and other colors, with white cashmere being the most precious. The basic component of cashmere fiber is protein.
Cashmere is composed of scales and cortex layers, without a medulla layer. The scales are thin, the surface and edges of the scales are smooth, the scales are close to the hair shaft, and the scale structure is shown in Figure 1. The cortex layer is the main body of the fiber. It is composed of thin and long spindle keratinocytes closely arranged along the longitudinal axis of the fiber. The performance of the fiber mainly depends on the cortex layer. Cashmere's strength and elasticity change are better than those of wool, and it has excellent characteristics such as thinness, lightness, softness, and good warmth retention. Cashmere is generally used to make cashmere sweaters. Cashmere can also be used as raw material for worsted high-end clothing.
2. Basic structure and properties of wool
The largest amount of wool fiber used in textiles is sheep wool, generally called wool. Wool fibers cover the surface of sheep skin and are not evenly distributed but densely packed together in clusters. It can be divided into 3 components: the scale layer that covers the outside of the hair shaft, the cortex layer that makes up the main part of the wool entity, and the medulla layer that is composed of opaque hair marrow in the center of the hair shaft. The medullary layer only exists in thicker fibers, and there is no medullary layer in fine hairs.
The main function of the scale layer is to protect wool from changes in properties caused by external conditions. The density and degree of scale arrangement have a great impact on the luster and surface properties of wool. The presence of the scale layer gives wool its felted properties. The cortex layer is inside the scale layer and is the main component of wool and the basic substance that determines the physical and chemical properties of wool. It is closely connected with the scale layer by cells. The medulla layer is composed of loosely structured and air-filled keratin cells, with poor interconnection between cells. Wool with many medulla layers is brittle and easily broken. Not easy to stain.
