Acid Concentration
Aqueous solutions formulated at three quarters strength provide the specific hydrolytic power required for carbonization processes in wool processing mills. 75 percent sulfuric acid removes vegetable matter from raw fleeces by converting cellulosic burrs into friable hydrocellulose while leaving protein based wool fibres undamaged. Process temperatures and immersion times are controlled strictly within reaction vats to prevent fibre degradation before carding operations begin.
Mill technicians verify solution strength through acid base titration before releasing baths to production lines. This reagent operates strictly within acidic carbonization stages and stops applying once neutral rinsing phases commence.
Scouring Parameters
Thermal control during acid application determines whether raw fleece maintains tensile strength or suffers acid rot during subsequent baking stages. Bath temperatures remain low initially to allow uniform liquid penetration across dense wool locks before thermal destruction of plant contaminants occurs. Acid concentrations drifting above three quarters strength cause premature carbonization of wool proteins, whereas lower values fail to embrittle stubborn burrs adequately.
Mills monitor bath density continuously to adjust replenishment rates automatically during high volume throughput runs.
Neutralization Limits
Residual acid must be neutralized completely through alkaline rinsing baths before wet spun yarns proceed to dye houses. Untreated fabric containing unspent hydrogen ions reacts violently with synthetic dyestuffs and damages metallic processing machinery during high temperature fixation. Rinsing vats employ sodium carbonate solutions to buffer residual hydronium ions until pH indicators confirm absolute neutrality across all exported lots.
Commercial buyers reject shipments failing acid residue tests because residual ions weaken seams during apparel manufacture.
Fiber Integrity
Tensile strength retention dictates the commercial value of finished wool textiles subjected to aggressive chemical cleaning regimes. Laboratory dynamometers measure breaking loads on conditioned yarn samples pulled directly from carding machines after carbonization baths dry. Lowered breaking loads indicate excessive acid damage during the hydrolytic removal of vegetable matter.
Finished goods pass inspection only when measured tenacity matches standards set by industrial purchasing contracts.
