Swelling of Keratin Fibres in the Wather

Abstract

On the basis of experimental analysis the paper is mainly concerned with the determination of the interdependence between the swelling of keratin fibres in the wather and the fiber diameter, namely whether there are similarities or differencies in their swelling behaviour. The investigations of wool fibers and camel hair (determination of the size of the change of diameter) have shown great differencies between the swelling of woo! fibers and camel hair, as well as the lawfulness that the fibers of the same genetic origin but with a different diameter swell differently; here exists the inverse proportional interdependence. The additional investigations of alkali solubility and strength help to conculude, that for the description of the swelling of keratin fibers, besides of the explanation of microfibrillar and matrix swelling, also the difference of the exterior layer of the fibers must be considered.