A comparative study and thermophysical characterization of wool fiber from different regions of Morocco

Wool is a popular natural animal fiber that has been used for many years and contributes significantly to the economies of various producing countries and manufacturers. In recent years, the share of wool continues to decline from a source of income for farmers to a waste product, as a result of different production challenges and livestock issues. The main aim of this article is to investigate the physicochemical properties of the various types of Moroccan wool before and after degreasing process in order to initiate the development of ecological and technical textile products. For this purpose, different types of Moroccan wool were collected, studied, characterized, and compared in terms of thermophysical properties using a range of techniques including infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), microscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, diameter, color and crimp rate, moisture, and fat content were measured and discussed. The morphological and structural characterization ensured that the studied fibers were almost identical with a difference in diameter ranging from 8.02 to 19.48 mu m; the removal of fat and impurities improved the quality of the wool surface by making the functional groups of keratin more exposed and reactive. The thermal results showed that the thermal behavior is directly influenced by the physical properties of the wool fiber such as fat and moisture content. The degreased fibers exhibit a slight shift related to the action of the chemical compound; moreover, the transition related to the denaturation process of the keratin chain is more significant. The results also showed that the degreasing treatment causes a significant color change in the wool fibers by increasing the brightness coordinates and negatively influences the crimp rate and moisture content. The findings of the study revealed that the different breeds available in Morocco retain their importance for use in various technical textiles.