Effect of Gamma Radiation on Greasy and Scoured Wool, Irradiated in Mini-Bale Form

ABSTRACT

The effect of gamma radiation dose on certain properties of wool treated in either greasy or scoured form in mini-bales was investigated. Specific properties studied include color (yellowness and brightness), solubility (alkali solubility and urea-bisulfite solubility), fiber diameter and tensile properties (staple strength and bundle tenacity). The irradiation of the wool was performed in a commercial Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation facility to emulate practical irradiation conditions. It was found that gamma radiation dosages of up to ≈ 90 kGy did not significantly affect the fiber physical dimensions, namely fiber diameter and staple length. Alkali and urea-bisulfite solubility as well as yellowness and brightness, on the other hand, showed a systematic, almost linear, change with an increase in radiation dose. For a dose of ≈ 100 kGy, yellowness increased by ≈ 4.5 (Y-Z) units, brightness decreased by ≈ 7.5 Y units and alkali and urea-bisulfite solubility increased by ≈ 14% (absolute) above their zero dose values.

摘要

研究了γ射线剂量对小捆羊毛的某些性能的影响. 研究的特性包括颜色（黄度和白度）、溶解度（碱溶性和亚硫酸氢钠溶解度）、纤维直径和拉伸性能（短纤维强度和束韧性）. 羊毛的辐照是在一个商用钴-60γ辐照设备上进行的，以模拟实际的辐照条件. 结果表明，γ射线剂量达≈90kgy对纤维的物理尺寸，即纤维直径和短纤维长度没有显著影响. 另一方面，随着辐射剂量的增加，亚硫酸氢钠和尿素的溶解度以及黄度和亮度呈现出系统的、几乎线性的变化. 当剂量≈100kgy时，黄度增加≈4.5（Y-Z）单位，亮度降低≈7.5y单位，碱性和亚硫酸氢钠的溶解度增加≈14%（绝对值）.

KEYWORDS:

• Gamma radiation
• fiber diameter
• wool
• staple and bundle strength
• yellowness
• brightness
• alkali and urea-bisulfite solubility

关键词:

• 伽马辐射
• 纤维直径
• 羊毛
• 装订和捆扎强度
• 黄色
• 亮度
• 亚硫酸氢钠和尿素的溶解度

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Wool Testing Bureau for preparing and testing the mini wool bales, BKB for providing the wool, Gamwave and Necsa for the radiation treatments and study support, CSIR for some of the fiber tests, and Cape Wools SA for funding the project.