Cross-Linking of Wool Keratin By Bifunctional Aldehydes

Treatment of wool fabrics with mono- and bifunctional aldehydes was followed by determinations of amino acid composition, NH2-group content, solubility in alkali, acids, and urea-bisulfite, affinity toward acid dye, and physico-mechanical properties. Differences were observed in the properties of treated and untreated fabrics. These differences are related to cross-linking between polypeptide chains of keratin.