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Abstract
The set developed in various wools and hairs when strained in boiling water or in monoethanolamine sulphite (MEAS) has been measured, together with the longitudinal swelling of set fibres on wetting. The changes in curvature of merino fibres on wetting are enhanced by setting in boiling water or in cold MEAS but diminished by setting in boiling 1% MEAS. The interpretation of these changes of curvature in terms of ortho–para differences throws into question the supposition that there is a specific para-type keratin (exemplified by human hair) and a specific ortho-type keratin (kid mohair). Some technological treatments diminish the hygral changes in curvature.