Wool metrology research and development to date

Abstract

This review explores research and development in wool metrology to date. In doing so, it highlights the research work undertaken by three organisations, in particular, to the development of wool and textile metrology research covering all of the important physical properties of wool. Three key wool research centres at the beginning of the twenty-first century were CSIRO's Division of Textile and Fibre Technology at Belmont near Geelong, Victoria, the School of Fibre Science and Technology, University of NSW at Kensington, NSW in Australia, and the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Inc. at Lincoln near Christchurch, New Zealand. Due to funding pressures between 1997 and 2007, these centres either ceased to operate or were absorbed into larger, non-wool-focused organisations. The substantial contribution to the world's wool metrology literature made by their staff and graduates, over the period when the three organisations had around 300–500 staff involved in wool-related research activities, is recognised. The review analyses the research undertaken on wool properties to identify gaps that might be exploited through the application of new or novel use of technologies by the next generation of wool metrologists. The analysis indicates that although the main fibre/fleece characteristics which currently affect the pricing and trading of Merino wool are able to be readily and accurately measured, there remains considerable work to be done in linking wool measurements to the prediction of performance both in processing and in the final product.

Keywords:

• wool metrology
• fibre diameter
• yield
• vegetable matter
• staple length and strength
• colour
• dark fibre
• prickle
• handle
• style
• crimp/curvature
• resistance to compression
• processing
• fabrics
• pilling
• wool research and development

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges ex-WRONZ colleagues Denis Maddever and Steven Ranford who helped collate early WRONZ publications for this review. Dr Allan de Boos, AWI, provided the IWTO Technical Paper Access database. David Ward provided lists of former UNSW wool students.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.