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Comparison of the effects of gamma and ultraviolet radiation on wool keratin
Author(s) -
Millington Keith R
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
coloration technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1478-4408
pISSN - 1472-3581
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-4408.2000.tb00045.x
Subject(s) - wool , irradiation , ultraviolet radiation , chemistry , radiation , ultraviolet , photochemistry , nuclear chemistry , radiochemistry , materials science , composite material , optics , optoelectronics , physics , nuclear physics
The effects of γ‐radiation ( 60 Co) on some chemical and physical properties of wool keratin are compared and contrasted with the effects of ultraviolet radiation in the UVC (200–280 nm) region. The effect of UVC doses up to 25 J/cm 2 (equivalent to 20 min exposure to a bank of high intensity lowpressure mercury arcs) on fabric strength is small (≤5%), whereas γ‐irradiated wool experiences strength reductions of ≥15% at doses over 100 kGy. Colour changes following UVC and γ‐irradiation are quite different: UVC wool is initially green changing to yellow under ambient conditions, γ‐treated wool becomes pink‐red at doses 25–250 kGy, and yellow at higher doses. The chromophores produced by UVC are easily removed by oxidative bleaching with hydrogen peroxide, whereas γ‐treated wool remains yellow even at relatively low doses (25–50 kGy). This has implications for the use of γ‐radiation as a means of sterilising wool for compliance with quarantine regulations. The effects of the two forms of radiation on the natural fluorescence of wool, permanent setting, printing properties and the epicuticle layer are also described.