Advancements in Applications of Natural Wool Fiber: Review

ABSTRACT

Natural fibers are getting attention from researchers and academician for utilization in new technology due to their ecofriendly nature and sustainability. This paper reviews advancements of utilization of natural wool fiber in industry and agriculture. Sheep wool is one of the natural and renewable sources which is widely used in the textile industry to make clothes, rugs, socks, and carpets, besides some uses in agriculture as fertilizers. Recently, wool has become alternative material in some industrial sectors, which increases the value of wool fiber. Increasing demand for alternative materials in buildings sectors has driven the production of sheep wool fibers with comparable and unique properties, for example thermal and sound insulation. Wool with enlarged pores is commercially available for sorption of dyes, oil spill, and volatile organic compounds (Greener Cleaner). Wool is also chemically modified for use in catalytic converter. The unique composition of wool has made it favorable in construction of light aircraft, ships, and trains upholstery. The self-extinguish property makes wool promising as a seal insulator for heat-generating appliances. Substances such as lanoline, ceramide, peptone, and keratin have been proposed for manipulation with wool to be utilized in pharmacotherapy cosmetics, and medical treatment.

摘要

天然纤维具有良好的生态友好性和可持续性，在新技术领域的应用越来越受到研究者和学者的重视. 本文综述了天然羊毛纤维在工农业上的应用进展. 绵羊毛是一种天然的可再生资源，广泛应用于纺织工业，用于制造布料、地毯、袜子和地毯，还可用于农业，用作肥料. 近年来，羊毛已成为一些工业部门的替代材料，这增加了羊毛纤维的价值. 建筑部门对替代材料的需求不断增加，推动了具有可比和独特性能的羊毛纤维的生产，例如隔热和隔音材料. 毛孔粗大的羊毛可用于吸附染料、溢油和挥发性有机化合物(更环保的清洁剂). 羊毛也经过化学改性用于催化转化器. 羊毛的独特成分使其成为制造轻型飞机、轮船和火车的装饰材料. 羊毛的自熄特性使其有望成为热发电设备的密封绝缘体. 有人提出将羊毛中的羊毛碱、神经酰胺、蛋白胨和角蛋白等物质用于药物治疗、化妆品和医疗.

KEYWORDS:

• Sheep wool
• wool advancements
• wool’s substances. application of wool

关键词:

• 羊羊毛
• 羊毛进步
• 羊毛的物质
• 应用程序的羊毛

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thanks to Division of Research & Innovation, Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing research university grant (Grant No.: 304 / PTEKIND / 6315313) as a finanical support.