Question

Write various steps for processing fibres into wool.

Answer 1

Hint:Wool is a natural animal fibre which is obtained from animals like sheep, goat, yak etc. that generally live in cold places. These animals have an outer coat of hair on their body which is shaved off to get wool fibres.

Complete answer:
The steps involved for processing fibres into wool are shearing, scouring from sheep, sorting, dyeing, straightening, rolling and combing. The first step of processing wool, that is, shearing involves the removal of the fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin. This process is carried out in the warmer spring season when the sheep do not need the layer removed to keep them warm. Shearing can be done either by machines or by hands.
In the next step, that is, scouring, the hair that was sheared is washed in tanks to remove dirt, dust and grease by machines. In simpler terms scouring can be said as the washing of the sheared hair.After this, the fibres are sorted on the basis of their different textures and types. The good quality fibres are used to make clothes while the low quality fibres are used in rugs.In the next process, that is, dyeing, the fibres are coloured in different colours because naturally the fibre is white, black or brown in colour.Finally, the fibres undergo straightening, rolling and combine to form yarns.

Note:
We know that air is a poor conductor of heat. Wool fibres trap air in them. This trapped air does not let the warmth escape the body as a result protecting us from cold. It is also known that we majorly obtain wool from sheep. Sheep have two types of hair fibres, namely beard hair and the skin hair. The fibre to make wool is obtained from the skin fibre.