Comparison of Physico-mechanical Properties of Fibre and Yarn Made of Alpaca, Sheep, and Goat Wool

Abstract

Textile industry is one of the most important branches of the economy of many countries in the world and the importance of wool is still huge. Due to the unique properties of natural animal fibers and their positive effect on the human organism, the authors decided to evaluate and compare the quality of fibers and yarn coming from three animal species, i.e., sheep, goats, and alpacas. The study was included the physico-mechanical analysis of properties of fiber and yarn: such as diameter, breaking force, elongation at break, Young modulus, breaking strain and strain energy. The study on the selected physical and mechanical properties of the fibers showed that goat fibers are the stiffest, but concurrently the most durable, while the yarn made of sheep fibers is the most resistant, the yarn of alpaca fibers is the most elastic, and that of goat fibers is the most rigid.