Wool alkaline peroxide

Alkaline peroxide bleaching followed by hydrosulphite treatment of wool Where an excellent stable bleach is required, especially if it is to be followed by... 

Hydrogen peroxide is not suitable for acrylic fibre at highly alkaline condition and moreover acrylic fibre turns yellowish on alkaline peroxide treatment. The discolouration can be improved by after-treatment with formic acid in presence of detergent. Acrylic/wool blends can also be bleached by a reduction bleach or by combination of peroxide and reduction bleaching process. 

The adverse effects of alkali on wool cause reduction in its dry strength only after fiber solubilization and considerable loss in its cystine content (105). Because of its sensitivity to alkali, wool is preferentially given a peroxide bleach with added formic acid silk does not degrade nearly so much under alkaline conditions and may be bleached at pH 10 with peroxide, using stabilizers such as sodium silicate (98). 

Lanolin purification Hydrogen peroxide and steam at 110°C145 Alkaline hydrogen peroxide144,145 Decolorizing wool wax... 

Bleaching of wool in alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution... 

Bleaching of wool is necessary for the enhancement of whiteness and lustre. Using proteolytic enzymes alone [99] or in combination with peroxide [100], the degree of whiteness and hydrophilicity of the fibres are increased, comjjared with the oxidative treatment alone [99]. Serine protease stable to hydrogen peroxide is active in an alkaline medium and its activity increases with increasing peroxide level [94]. Higher whiteness index is caused by the decolourising action of the enzyme on natural colorants present in the wool fibre [100]. 

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective reagant to bleach wool, but damage to the wool is significant when alkaline hydrogen peroxide is used. It is uncertain what is responsible for the natural cream color of wool. 

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