The Reactivity of Keratin

Abstract

The amorphous phase of wool contains and is created by the amino acids with large sidechains. Among the latter are those which are commonly used in cross-linking reac tions ; since cross-linking is unlikely to have a profound effect on the elastic properties of a disorganized structure unless it occurs with very great frequency, it is now clear why cross-linking with agents such as formaldehyde fails to give desirable technical effects. A more promising method of modifying the properties of wool to commercial advantage is to form graft copolymers in the amorphous phase; possible methods of achieving this end are examined.