Physical Measurements and Their Application in Describing Wool

Excerpts from the report Introduction: Wool has certain distinguishing physical properties and characteristics that are measurable and which can be expressed in such customary units as pounds, percentages, inches, or microns, and from which statistical indices may be derived for still wider application. Various segments of the wool industry have indicated a great deal of interest in the application of objective methods for evaluating the physical properties of the commodity. In order to investigate the use of physical measurement in describing domestic wool, the Denver Wool Laboratory had 21 lots processed into top. Samples of grease wool, scoured wool, card sliver, carding and combing wastes, noil and top were drawn as the lots were being processed. These samples were later measured for such physical characteristics as fineness, length, staple crimp, yield, and color. The results of these tests and their application in the description and appraisal of wool are given in this report