Effects of ultrasound irradiation on wet wool chlorination treatment

In this study ultrasonic energy is applied for improving wet wool chlorination treatment one of the most well-established methods for reducing wool shrinking related to the felting. Sodium hypochlorite used for providing active chlorine in chlorination bath and samples chlorinated in the presence and absence of ultrasonic irradiation with equal processing parameters. The concentration of active chlorine during the treatment, shrinkage percentage, friction and some mechanical properties of treated samples determined and compared. Scanning Electron Microscope used for investigating the effects of different treatments on removal of wool scales. According to the results it was concluded that applying ultrasonic energy causes desirable mechanical and chemical effects in chlorination process. Cavitation phenomena causes more abrasion on wool surface especially on sharp places i.e., scales and the formation of hydrogen peroxide in ultrasonic bath managing the aggressive reaction of active chlorine on cuticle.